Research on the draught animal power systems in Ethiopia

In Ethiopia animal traction has been an integral part of agricultural production for centuries. Pairs of Oxen have been employed to pull an ard plough (`Maresha') for seedbed preparation. Implement development for primary and secondary cultivation was the main focus until the end of the 70s. Some work on transport, earth movment and land shaping started in the mid-80s. But there has been little adoption by farmers of the new implements developed. This might be partly due to researchers not addressing the pertinent issues, to inadequacy of the extension system and to the reluctance of farmers to change traditional practices.