On-farm evaluation of animal-and hand-drawn implements for weeding in Western Sudan
2005
Osman, A.K.(El Obeid Agricultural Research Station, El Obeid (Sudan)) | Omer, M.A.(El Obeid Agricultural Research Station, El Obeid (Sudan)) | El-Hag, F.M.(El Obeid Agricultural Research Station, El Obeid (Sudan)) | Elawad, H.O.(El Obeid Agricultural Research Station, El Obeid (Sudan)) | Elmadih, M.A.(El Obeid Agricultural Research Station, El Obeid (Sudan))
Scarcity and high cost of labour at weeding time constitute a serious constraint to timely operation in the traditional rainfed sector of western Sudan. The purpose of this on-farm trial was to evaluate the potential and extent to which hand- or animal-drawn implements affect labour requirement and weeding efficiency. The experimental treatments consisted of four weeding methods and two crops; namely, sesame and groundnut. The weeding methods comprised implements drawn by hand (Jupiter hoe), by donkey or by camel and the traditional hand hoe. Harfd- and animal-drawn implements reduced labour and time required for weeding by more than 40%: However, the weeding efficiency of the traditional method was the highest (above 90%). The hand implement recorded the least man-days per hectare with the lowest weeding' efficiency. The animal-drawn and hand implements improved some soil physical properties when compared to the hand hoe. Cultivation depth, in filtration rate and total accumulated water (in 172 minutes) of the animal- and hand-drawn treatments were about 1.5 to 2.0 times higher than that of the traditional hand hoe treatment. Implement field capacity of the animal-drawn implement was about 3 times (0.2 ha/hr) greater than that of the traditional method (0.07 ha/hr). It was also found that the actual daily feed energy supplied to the draught animals was less than the required. The donkey is the most suitable to use because of its availability and adaptability. There were no significant differences between the two crops in most of the measured traits
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