The effect of animal traction on labour productivity and food self-sufficiency: The case of Mali

The effects of animal traction (AT) on Malian labour productivity (area planted per labour unit and yield per hectare) were analysed A farm budgeting technique was used to analyse net farm returns from the use of AT. A logistic regression model was used to study the effects of AT on food self-sufficiency. AT helped farmers increase total surface area cultivated, but not necessarily the area cultivated per active labour unit. The yield per hectare of food crops decreased with the use of AT but that of cash crops increased. Total farm income was higher for all equipped farmers than for non-equipped ones, but income per active labour unit was highest for traditional farmers. The acquisition of AT did not ensure food self-sufficiency. Farmers with AT attained food self-sufficiency only when AT enhanced labour productivity. Copyright (C) 1996 Elsevier Science Ltd