Use of oxen in traditional farming systems of southern Ethiopia: Experience in Adami Tulu, Sidama, Welayita and Areka
1998
Abule Ebro (Adami Tulu Research Center, Zeway (Ethiopia))
Land is relatively abundant in Adami Tulu (mean- 3.3 ha/household) whereas, the Sidama, Weliyata and Areka areas (generally the Southern) are characterized by a high population density. The outcome of draft power has been unsatisfactory because of feed shortage, environmental constraints and un-improved implements. To cope with the problem, farmers around Adami Tulu either hire in or borrow oxen, lease their land, setl their wage on a daily basis, plough on the farm of the rich on the basis of getting an oxen day, agree on share cropping system and in some places use donkeys. Farmers in Sidama, weliyata and Areka mainly use hoe or hand tools for land preparation. They use two systems of sharing an ox. The "Gathua" is usually made between two farmers each owning an ox whereas, the"Kota" meaning "common" in English is a common utilization of a given piece of land and sharing the harvest. The research effort to tackle the problems of draft oxen in these areas is almost negligible. Therefore, a strong multi-disciplinary research should be carried out.
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