The future for pack donkeys - Transport and infrastructure Animal transport KnO 100389_Pack transport with donkeys

Pack transport with donkeys

Practical Action

The future for pack donkeys

The future of donkey pack transport will ultimately be determined by the cost and availability of

alternative forms of transport, and the status accorded to donkey owners by the society in which

they live. Its future could be influenced, however, by extension and research aimed at improving

its efficiency. Extension initiatives might include stimulating owner groups, demonstrations and

competitions. Research could be directed to identifying saddle improvements, better nutrition

and the breeding of more suitable animals. The local production of pack saddles, possibly using

old car tyres, is one area for 'appropriate research'. Pack donkeys were in use before the

invention of the wheel and it may be that they will outlast the internal combustion engine with

its dependence on non-renewable fossil fuels. Pack donkeys are a real option for the future

which justifies greater investigation and attention; not only for reducing the burden on women

and children, important as that is, but as a truly appropriate renewable power source for the

tropics.

Bibliography

Anon, Field Artillary Field Manual- Pack Artillary (FM6-110) United States

Government Printing Office, Washington, 1940.

FAO, Report of the FAD Expert Consultation on Appropriate Use of Animal

Energy in Agriculture in Africa and in Asia (AGA-806), 15-19 Nov. 1982, Rome, 1982.

D. Fielding, 'Donkeys in Africa\ Paper presented at a Colloquium on 'The exploitation of animals

in Africa' 22-24 March, 1987. African Studies Group, University of Aberdeen, UK, 1987.

R.J. Stibbards, 'The energy cost of carrying loads in pack animals', M.Sc. Dissertation. Centre for

Tropical Veterinary Medicine, University of Edinburgh, UK, 1980.