[rts] 'Success' in Northwest Zambia

[Paul Starkey]

This is a quick response to the specific request for an update of the
'success' story of ox carts in the North West Province of Zambia. The North
West Province is very 'remote' (700 km from the industrial Copperbelt) and
telecommunications are difficult. I have not managed to speak to the manager
of the cart workshop at Manyinga nor to anyone from the Kabompo Farmers
Association, but I have contacted people in Lusaka aware of the situation.

The ox cart technology introduced in the period 1985-1994 has indeed
achieved 'critical mass'. It has been widely accepted by farmers, and it is
expanding in numbers and in geographical area. Farmers and transporters now
want to own carts. However, carts are still expensive relative to incomes in
this quite poor area of an impoverished country. Carts cost about US$ 200 to
400 (the latter price in the remoter areas). Oxen are also expensive,
relative to incomes, making it difficult for poor, non-cattle owners to
adopt ox carts (but access is often possible through local hire
arrangements).

The GTZ-sponsored project that initiated the scheme has long since ended (as
projects do). The responsible government departments that continued the
various programmes are struggling with few resources, their small budgets
eroded by inflation. Nevertheless, the main workshop and smaller workshops
are still operating (details of recent production/sales may be available
later). Institutional credit is extremely difficult to obtain (credit
organisations having been affected by high inflation and institutional
problems). There are a small number of NGOs that may give loans for ox
carts, but lack of capital/credit is probably a key factor limiting further
adoption (constraining production and sales). Production is also limited by
the logistical and cost problems of supplying wheels and axles in a remote
area.

Ox-drawn sledges are a cheaper alternative to ox carts, particularly in
sandy areas, where they can carry small loads of fuel, water, agricultural
implements or harvest. However sledges are not suited for all the operations
now being undertaken by ox carts, including inter-village transport and
trade. In neighbouring Western Zambia, donkeys are becoming more popular,
and they may slowly spread into parts of North West Province. I understand
that bicycle use is spreading, but mainly for carrying people, not
significant loads.

The terms 'high density' and 'low density' are clearly relative terms, and
the whole North Western Province is a large area with a small population, an
agricultural economy and relatively low levels of economic activity. In the
more remote areas (eg, Mwinilunga) ox carts are still uncommon and difficult
to buy and maintain. However around the market centres of Kabombo, Manyinga
and Zambezi, ox carts are now common and easy to buy (if you can get
credit), use and maintain through private sector workshops and services.

I would guess that a further injection of capital/credit would lead to
further expansion, of animal-drawn carts and bicycles both numerically and
geographically. I understand that the Intermediate Means of Transport
Project
(supported by the Rural Travel and Transport Programme -RTTP) has been
carrying out some preliminary work in the Zambezi District of the Province.
If there is more detailed information and/or further lessons, they may be
shared before this channel of communication ends.

Best wishes to all, Paul Starkey