Animal Traction in the Fadama: Applicability and Effectiveness of Animal-drawn Tillage in the Fadama Farming System

Fadama tillage in Northern Nigeria and in Zaria in particular, has relied on manual labour and corresponding implements which are associated with drudgery, loss of human energy due to bending and reduced productivity. This book reveals that Fadama farmers (mostly aged between 36 and 60 years) use manual labour with tools like small hoe, big hoe and rake to till during the dry season. Most of the Fadama farmers believe that tillage operations like ploughing, harrowing and basin making are important tillage activities in the preparation of seedbeds to grow crops, but are constrained to using animal traction for tillage due to beliefs like unsuitability of the workbulls and corresponding implements to operate in the Fadama. In the field, it was shown that the three ADTI were applicable and effective at controlled soil moisture content and plough operational depth. The favourable soil moisture content and ploughing depth for optimum performance that would guarantee the safety of the work bulls for tillage in the Fadama were 11-15% and 16-20cm respectively. It is advised that work bulls be used in the early hours of the day, allowing rest and wallowing periods regularly.