FW: [rts] 'Success' in Northwest Zambia

[Christine Mwanza]

> -----Original Message-----
> From:	Christine Mwanza 
> Sent:	Thursday, November 02, 2000 2:21 PM
> To:	'Gbanjo at worldbank.org'
> Cc:	'rtslist at news.gn.apc.org'; 'priyanthi at ukonline.com.uk'
> Subject:	FW: [rts] 'Success' in Northwest Zambia
> 
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From:	Christine Mwanza 
> Sent:	Thursday, November 02, 2000 1:07 PM
> To:	'Gbanjo at worldbank.org'
> Cc:	'rtslist at news.gn.apc.org'
> Subject:	RE: [rts] 'Success' in Northwest Zambia
> 
> Dear Banjo
> 
> Please refer to the above mentioned subject.  We as IMT Project got
> the invitation to participate in the discussion regarding Rural
> Transport.  Unfortunately, at the time of the discussion, our e-mail
> facility in the entire University developed a fault.  We are,
> therefore, unable to participate in the discussion.
> 
> With respect to the question on the success of Rural Transport in
> Northwest Zambia, the situation is that the Manyinga Workshop is still
> functioning and producing ox-carts.  However, the project under which
> it was created, the Integrated Rural Development Programme came to an
> end a long time ago.  The Workshop has the capacity to produce
> ox-carts, but the problem is that the demand is not so high as people
> cannot easily afford the cost of ox-carts.  If there is credit for the
> programme for ox-carts, I am sure the demand will increase.  But I
> must state that the Manyinga Workshop may find demand in the nearby
> district of Zambezi which is one of pilot districts of the IMT
> Project.
> 
> Best wishes.
> 
> Mukombo Jonathan Tambatamba
> IMT TEAM LEADER
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From:	Gbanjo at worldbank.org [SMTP:Gbanjo at worldbank.org]
> Sent:	Wednesday, November 01, 2000 1:46 PM
> To:	Paul Starkey
> Cc:	rtslist at news.gn.apc.org; CMwanza at comesa.int
> Subject:	Re: [rts] 'Success' in Northwest Zambia
> 
> 
> This is George Banjo of the World Bank working on the Rural Travel and
> Transport
> Program (RTTP) and based in Harare, Zimbabwe participating for the
> first time in
> this very interesting discussion.
> 
> As Paul says, the World Bank/ RTTP are currently undertaking a pilot
> project in
> Zambia aimed at promoting enhanced use of IMTs in the country. The
> project is
> being implemented by a team from the University of Zambia. Regarding
> the issue
> of 'success' in Northwest Zambia, I had last week actually asked the
> Project
> Manager to help find out what has happened. I am still waiting for a
> reply hence
> he is copied on this email as a reminder!!!.  When it comes, I will
> pass it on.
> Meanwhile, thanks Paul  for passing on what you know.
> 
> Best regards, George
> 
> 
> 
> 
> "Paul Starkey" <paulstarkey at animaltraction.com>@news.gn.apc.org on
> 11/01/2000
> 05:18:41 AM
> 
> Sent by:  rtslist-admin at news.gn.apc.org
> 
> 
> 
> To:   <Rtslist at News.Gn.Apc.Org>
> cc:
> 
> Subject:  [rts] 'Success' in Northwest Zambia
> 
> 
> 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
> 
> 
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