RA 00048.pdf - OAR@ICRISAT

there is nothing left but to look for a better
performing equipment. The fact that there is not
any "heavy type" (multiple row tool bar type)
animal traction equipment available is aggravating
the situation.
Less than aggressive trials of the "polyculture"
have been made in the area but the farmers were
able to see the price/benefit relationship. They
were struck by its performance for seeding,
weeding and ridging, but they were not similarly
impressed by its ability to plow. The tractive force
which it demands and the price made it unacceptable.
The petroleum crisis and worldwide inflation
clearly pose the necessity to internalize the heavy
animal traction phase. This equipment needs to
be perfected because all that has been tried to
date has not been satisfactory. We hope that over
the next 4 years that some equipment distinguishes
itself by its performance in trials offstation,
with farmers.
ICRISAT/Mali, as part of its research program,
has used a number of tool carriers which, when
used with appropriate cultural methods, have
shown themselves to be effective and can solve
the problem of precision seeding and weeding.
Working on this basis, "Division du Machinisme
Agricole" of Mali collaborating with an ICRISAT
consultant has fabricated different tool carrier
prototypes of the "Barre-Nolle" type. This tool
carrier has variable wheel spacing from 120 to 180
cm and has been successfully used for seeding
and weeding. It is also possible to work on ridges
as well as on flat ground. Earlier, seeding and
weeding on ridges was not possible with existing
equipment. While it is well known that weeding is
the limiting factor for total area cultivated, one
should also note that existing equipment is not
adequately utilized for these operations; weeding
is therefore often done with the traditional daba.
While some farmers satisfactorily carry out
interline weeding with the "multiculteur", this
assumes that the precision of row spacing has
been achieved either by using a seeding rope or
precision seeding equipment.
In terms of work time, the seeding and weeding
operations carried out with the tool carrier used
are 2 to 3 times as fast as the "multiculteur"
because they cover 2 to 3 times the surface with
one pass in the field.
The existence today of a reserve of rural
craftsmen trained and equipped and thus capable
of bringing the logistic support necessary to
animal traction makes it necessary to first exploit
to the fullest the possibilities that this step brings
before moving to intermediate mechanization.
Intermediate Motorization
While in the 5th year of experimentation, this
phase is not well understood. It is focused on
farms which have a great deal of experience with
animal traction and which have substantial revenues,
i.e., sufficient to make the investment.
Because of the training and necessary followthrough,
farmers were chosen in an area relatively
close to support the services around Koutiala,
Fana and Sikasso and governed by the following
strict criteria:
(a) 15-20 ha cultivated land plus available
fallow.
(b) sufficient family workers (at least 8 active).
(c) the desire of the head of the family.
(d) proven debt worthiness.
A preliminary study permitted a choice of farms
which have received a tractor and accompanying
equipment on credit over 5 years with the 1 st year
deferred but payment in cash thereafter. In
addition, at the beginning of each cropping year a
sum is paid in advance for the functioning of the
machine (fuel, lubrication, spare parts, etc.). The
farmer pays cash for repairs after the 2nd year.
The 1st year is considered as a training and
adapting period.
Three existing project sections today are responsible
for: training tractor drivers, putting the
equipment in place, supplying inputs, repair and
maintenance, the control and supervision of the
agronomic practices of the farmers, and the
preparations and execution of a work plan with
the agreement of the head of the farm.
Given the responsibility, which is difficult to
pass on in the short term, especially if one knows
the complexities of motorization, of never going
beyond one day for repairing an equipment unit,
the experience shows that there is room for
improvement.
Conclusion
While the agricultural potential of the zone offers
great potential, the farmers make less and less
effort to equip themselves because of the price
structure and the lack of adequate credit. Efforts
must be undertaken with an emphasis on those
who equip themselves for the first time otherwise
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