Promoting and supporting draught animal power (DAP) utilisation and development as well as improving animal welfare is about enhanced knowledge, scope and efficiency of utilisation of DAP for crop and livestock productivity and general agribusiness in order to improve rural livelihoods, and alleviate poverty. The concept of draught animal power (DAP) is multi-faceted as illustrated by the diagram below.

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The basic question is: what is draught animal power?

Generally, draught animal power (DAP) {also animal traction (AT) and draught animal technology (DAT); with the word draft - American version, and draught - British version, often used interchangeably to describe the ‘pull’ force} describes the use of animals to provide the vital power for crop cultivation and transport. DAP is an appropriate, sustainable and affordable technology, which has an increasing use in Africa, Asia and Latin America. It has particular comparative advantages in most operations of small scale farming (plots of less than 20 acres) and short-distance transport operations.

Structurally, DAP describes a system of interaction between the operator (human/operator sub-system), the implement (implement sub-system) and the animal (animal subsystem). Each sub-system (see diagram below) is fundamental and entails a number of factors that are important in ensuring proper functionality.

Animal power has been used throughout the world for thousands of years and the progress of civilizations can be ascribed in part to the role that draught animals have played in the history of mankind.

In many rural communities, various draught animals such as cattle, donkeys mules, horses, camels, yaks and other working animals are used by farmers and transport providers in tillage operations and provision of transport services. They are important in reducing drudgery and intensifying agricultural production.

The choice of draught animals depends mainly on the type of work to be performed, the local environment, socioeconomic conditions and local availability of animals. Farmers generally require animals that are affordable, well-adapted and easily replaced. Smallholder farmers benefit more from working with multi-purpose animals, which will provide power as well as other purposes such as milk, meat, manure and off-springs.

The choice of draught animals depends mainly on the type of work to be performed, the local environment, socioeconomic conditions and local availability of animals. Farmers generally require animals that are affordable, well-adapted and easily replaced. Smallholder farmers benefit more from working with multi-purpose animals, which will provide power as well as other purposes such as milk, meat, manure and off-springs.

KENDAT is currently implementing a partnership programme with Brooke Hospital for Animals (The Brooke) on Donkey Welfare (Heshimu Punda).

KENDAT has a lot of experience on DAP promotion and support including:

1. Harnessing
2. Animals for work
3. Transport
4. Tillage
5. Equipment