Y. Bigot*
Dr Bigot gave a wide-ranging discourse on the week's discussions. He stressed that animal traction (AT) was not new technology, and there was always a need to learn from the past. Some research development programmes in West Africa appeared to have been designed as if nothing had taken place before and yet in sub-Saharan Africa there had now been over a century of lessons from successful and unsuccessful introduction of AT technology. In addition to learning from the past, there was a need to capitalise on experiences from around the world There was no need to repeat research already carried out elsewhere.
The Network clearly has an important role to play in making national programmes aware of the experience and expertise that already exist. In some ways this is what the present workshop had been doing. Although the aim of the workshop had been to identify research topics, most of the time had been spent in exchanging experiences. In this respect the workshop had been valuable, but had not achieved its stated aim.
Dr Bigot reviewed the changes in AT in West Africa since the inception of WAATN in 1985. One of the main features was that AT had become politically acceptable in west Africa, and politicians did not go out of their way to hinder AT initiatives, as had happened during the 1960s and 70s. Equally important was the realisation that AT technologies are often local-specific. Little is now heard about the generalised prescriptions and blanket recommendations that charaterised AT publications in the 1950s, 60s and 70s. This important change should not be underestimated for it represents a fundamental change of attitude to both research and development and people are no longer looking form or advocation universal solutions.
At has become integrated with farming systems, and the farming systems approach that the Network has espoused is having an effect throughout the research/development process. This can also be seen in project planning and economic modelling. Projects are no longer being based on rigid economic and financial models of At use. The multidisciplinary approach has also been important in bringing animal scientists and livestock specialists into AT research and development. At this workshop, a large number of participants were animal production specialists and many of the discussion topics concentrated on the animal. A few years ago, a workshop such as this would have been dominated by agricultural engineers. Again this change represents progress. The Network should be aware of the slight danger that the current resurgence of interest in AT could obscure the importance of the complementary roles of human and motorised power.
Dr Bigot believed the discussion groups had concluded that there was no need for fundamental research on implements. There still appeared to be an unresolved conflict between the various advantages and disadvantages of multipurpose and single-purpose implements and this would eventually be resolved on a ease by case basis While basic research on equipment seemed unnecessary, there was a need to study the supply side of AT implements and the distortions caused by project interventions, single suppliers and the neglect of the artisanal, informal sector.
There seemed little justification for research on economic issues or modelling. On the animal side there did seem to be scope for further basic research although there was some controversy as to whether on-station 'gas-mask' type of research was needed or whether all research could be carried out in the target farming systems. There were inherent problems in experimenting with animals and there was a clear call for standardisation of experimental routines. Animal-orientated research should not simply deal with individual animals should include analyses of the whole livestock sector and crop-livestock interactions.*
One of the main conclusions of the workshop was that fundamental research was seldom required and that applied action research was more appropriate. Existing technologies could be adapted to different farming systems in an interactive process. Many technologies were specific to ecological zones and more attention needed to be given to exchange of experiences within ecological zones.
From this analysis Dr Bigot concluded that the Network should pay more attention to the different ecological zones in West Africa and structure future workshops accordingly. People working on AT in similar conditions should be brought together in order to allow more detailed site-specific discussions that could lead to more precise research recommendations. Nevertheless the Network should not emphasise AT research itself; rather it should concentrate on providing a clear international source of information. It should endeavour through training and exchanges to strengthen the capabilities of its individual members who should be encourage to engage in clearly defined diagnostic studies within their own countries. At research needed the right type of people and so projects should be flexible to allow people and resources to move from country to country. Consideration might be given to ways in which there could be competitive tendering for research programmes to ensure the best thematic research teams obtained the necessary support.
Comments from the floor had emphasised the potential danger of concentration on research as an end in itself and thereby neglecting small farmers. There was also a danger in concentrating on AT from the male perspective and neglecting the potential of animal power to assist women.
