Use of ASMC seeder prototype by women: Assessing the use of donkey (Equus asinus) as animal power source in agricultural mechanization in Hauts-Bassins region of Burkina Faso

Abstract

The present study aimed to evaluate the technical and socio-economic impact of using donkeys (Equus asinus) in agricultural production to facilitate the adaptation of the "ASMC" seeder for smallholder women farmers in western Burkina Faso. A survey consisting of eighteen (18) representative farms in ten (10) villages located in two (2) provinces formed the basis for semi-structured interviews with groups of women registered with the Regional Union of Cereal Producers. Descriptive statistics and correlation analysis were used to evaluate the survey data. Based on the survey results, the representative farms were primarily family farms with two methods of seeding maize: manual sowing and partial or exclusive use of the ASMC mechanical seeder. The draft donkey ownership rate was 68% on the manual and 41% on the mixed-method of seeding farms. Donkeys provided a significant reduction in the time needed for tillage and planting operations for 74% of the respondents, thereby improving the timeliness of farming activities. There was a positive correlation between total land use for farm activities and the number of draft donkeys on the farm. 67% of the women farmers believed that sowing with a pair of oxen was faster (P<0.05) than with one donkey power, as they usually do. The cost of sowing with the oxen was slightly higher compared to the donkey, but the cost of adoption was significantly greater for oxen (P<0,05). Based on this study, donkeys in these farming systems can increase productivity and improve women farmers' welfare.