THE KEBKABIYA PLOUGH

Introduction
The Kebkabiya Plough has received a great deal of attention due to the success it has achieved in the Kebkabiya area. This plough has been adapted and promoted by Practical Action staff, (formerly ITDG) namely the engineering consultant Mr. Simon Croxton and tile engineer Mohammed Siddig in coordination with a number of local farmers and blacksmiths, who were subsequently trained in manufacturing and maintaining it. The use of the plough has assisted in increasing the level of productivity. It has also saved time that is now used for other activities that promote development and production. Practical Action issues this booklet to give farmers a comprehensive account of using the plough effectively as a sustainable agricultural device. It is our objective to render our nation every possible support to enable them to make the best use of the resources available.

1.

What is the plough?

The plough is an agricultural tool that helps farmers prepare their land by turning the soil, removing weeds whilst reducing the amount of effort required in the process. The plough analyzed in this guide is tile donkey drawn plough.

Practical Action, The Schumacher Centre for Technology and Development, Bourton on Dunsmore, Rugby, Warwickshire, CV23 9QZ, UK T +44 (0)1926 634400 | F +44 (0)1926 634401 | E infoserv@practicalaction.org.uk | W www.practicalaction.org ______________________________________________________________________________________________ Practical Action is a registered charity and company limited by guarantee. Company Reg. No. 871954, England | Reg. Charity No.247257 | VAT No. 880 9924 76 | Patron HRH The Prince of Wales, KG, KT, GCB

The Kebkabiya plough

Practical Action

2.

The functions of the Kebkabiya Plough

2.1. It is used for ploughing which involves the churning of the soil before and during cultivation. 2.2. It is also used to remove parasitic, useless" plants more commonIy known as weeds.

3.

Harness Preparation

It is important that the harness is the right size for the donkey. Different local materials can be used to make the harness including tanned skin, ropes and canvas. 3.1. Begin by tying the donkey chest with the harness so that it is able to pass freely either side of the donkey.

3 .2. Leave additional length on the fringes of the harness, so that it can be sewn easily without affecting the overall length and tie knots at the end for fastening rope.

3.3. Add two extra belts one around the back ending with the front legs, and the otller around the middle of the back.

The Kebkabiya plough

Practical Action

3.4. The two belts should be fastened by either stitching, or mobile implements (button [looks). 3.5. The harness must be paddled with cloth or sponge so as to absorb sweat and to avoid injuring the donkeys body.

4.

Plough Adjustment

An ability to adjust the plough facilitates good and efficient ploughing. Adjustment and balancing is done according to the donkey's height and the required depth of ploughing together with soil humidity and wetness. There are four or five adjustment holes on the front bar of the plough which allows for the required adjustment. The plough is then tied to the donkey with a rope on both sides and the plough is attached to one of the five adjustment holes.

The Kebkabiya plough

Practical Action

4.1. The hook is connected to the hole furthest along the bar if deep ploughing is required.

4.2.

If medium (moderate) depth ploughing

4.3. When the donkey is tired and soil humidity is low the hook should be connected to the lowest hole.

Control of the plough adjustment can be obtained by either increasing or decreasing the rope length between the plough and donkey or by moving the main bar upward or downwards.

The Kebkabiya plough

Practical Action

5. 5.1.

Training the Donkey

Make sure that all plough components are fixed and securely connected.

5.2. Make sure that the donkey has been pulling heavy load (such as bushes and branches) for at least a week prior to the d ate of starting ploughing.

5.3.

Dig two parallel lines between which donkeys can practice moving.

The Kebkabiya plough

Practical Action

5.4. Tie plough on donkey so it can practice pulling it for 3 hours every morning and evening each day.

5.5. Begin with intensive deep ploughing so that the donkey gets used to ploughing without having the tendency to escape.

5.6. Train the donkey to move in straight lines without bridles and to make turns by using a stick and rope.

The Kebkabiya plough

Practical Action

5.7. Build a small straight furrow and let the donkey walk beside it several times to practice moving in straight line.

5.8. Keep the donkey healthy and active. Ploughing hours shouldn't exceed 6 hours a day (3 in the morning and 3 in the evening) to prevent the donkey becoming exhausted. This is actually enough to plough half a "Mukhamas". To double the area another donkey with plough can be used.

The Kebkabiya plough

Practical Action

6.

Ploughing Duration

A week or two after a reasonable amount of rain ploughing can start. It is a time when newly germinating grass will start to grow but ploughing will lead to its eradication.

7.

Useful Tips

7.1. Ploughing should not be done on dry or excessively wet soils as both require too much extra effort from the donkey. Also deep ploughing can not be obtained.

7.2 The Plough should work opposite the natural water course or slope direction because running water is a natural factor for damaging and eroding top-soil. So ploughing against the direction of water helps to minimise erosion and leads to top soil conservation.

The Kebkabiya plough

Practical Action

8. How to Plough?
After fastening the plough and adjusting it for the required depth the donkey is then led in a straight line from one extreme end of the farm in a spiral movement (see shape).

9.

Why the Kebkabiya Plough?

There are many positive characteristics that encourage farmers to use this kind of plough in the area: 9.1. The plough is locally manufactured, i.e. it can be locally maintained and the spare parts are available.

The Kebkabiya plough

Practical Action

9.2. It is much cheaper compared to other ploughs. It costs onIy S DG 65 whereas others cost up to S DG 750.0 9.3. This plough was first introduced in 1990 in Kebkabiya. This gave many farmers the chance to use and maintain it expertly. 9.4. There is an availability of donkeys which are the best animals for Ploughing as they are easy to train.

9.5.

Suitability of plough to light soils.

9.6. Using this plough in particular creates a suitable environment for quick germination of seeds. 9.7. It helps to stop soil erosion by minimizing surface drainage.

9.14. A 25% increase in cultivated farm area is reported in comparison to other manual equipment. 9.15. Great increase in cash crops yield has been observed -50% increases per unit.

10.

Plough maintenance

10.1. Make sure that all nuts are firmly fastened and that all parts are well balanced. 10.2. Use the right size spanners when tightening and loosening nuts and bolts to prevent damage to them.

11.
11.0.

Cultivation
To avoid soil erosion all tributaries should be buried and covered with soil.

10

The Kebkabiya plough

Practical Action

11.1. Animal dung is a great source of natural fertilizer which should be used whenever possible.

11.2. Planting the same crop annually in the same areas leads to land infertility. A plant rotation system should be applied annually. 11.3. Remains of crop stems and other grass humus increases soil fertility and give the soil higher humidity.

11.4. Growing legumes (beans-caw etc...) together with the main crop enriches the soil and provides a new variety of crop in the same area. 11.5. Using terraces and contour lines on hard and sloppy grounds protects the top-soil from being washed away and preserves surface water.

11

The Kebkabiya plough

Practical Action

References and further reading

Dead Level Contours Practical Action Technical Brief The A Frame Practical Action Technical Brief

Practical Action Sudan P.O. Box 4172 Kartoum Central 1114 Sudan Tel: + 249 11 444 260 419 Fax: + 249 11 472002 E-mail: sudan@practicalaction.org.sd Website: http://www.practicalaction.org/ This Technical Brief is a reproduction of the publication The Plough: The Kebkabiya Plough as a Model for Animal Guided Ploughing prepared by Eng. Mohamed Sidig, Illustration by Omar Abderazig, Introduction by Mohammed Majzoub Fidel, Country Director of Practical Action Sudan and original covers by Kamal Gabralla. The publication is available in English and Arabic from Practical Action Sudan Practical Action The Schumacher Centre for Technology and Development Bourton-on-Dunsmore Rugby, Warwickshire, CV23 9QZ United Kingdom Tel: +44 (0)1926 634400 Fax: +44 (0)1926 634401 E-mail: inforserv@practicalaction.org.uk Website: http://practicalaction.org/practicalanswers/
Practical Action is a development charity with a difference. We know the simplest ideas can have the most profound, lifechanging effect on poor people across the world. For over 40 years, we have been working closely with some of the worlds poorest people - using simple technology to fight poverty and transform their lives for the better. We currently work in 15 countries in Africa, South Asia and Latin America

12












Drawn by
Kamal Khalifa



Date: 5 th Jan 2008

All Dimensions in mm

Khartoum Ofce, Sudan Drawing No: PL
- 01

The Kebkabiyah Plough





THE DONKEY PLOUGH

The Practical Action donkey plough was developed in Sudan in the Darfur region over a period of time where a number of trials and adaptations were made to make the design suitable for local conditions. The size and weight of the plough would be varied to suite different farming conditions. In 1990 Practical Actions (then ITDG) work with an Oxfam animal traction project in Sudan was rekindled after suffering from logistical difficulties. The project was based in the Northern part of the country in Darfur province around Kabkabiya. This work led onto the Darfur Integrated Rural Livelihoods Programme that covers activities such as: Training farmers in agricultural techniques terracing and wadi (valley bottom) Figure 1: The plough in use cultivation, which extend the range of crops in Darfur Photo: Practical Action that can be grown and make more efficient Sudan. use of scarce water resources. Around 1000 farmers are trained each year, mainly by local extension workers Strengthening of the capacities of local village committees to manage and develop agricultural and water projects Construction of dams for rainwater harvesting, and training in dam construction, as well as improvement in the techniques of construction of tumad (shallow wells) in the wadis and the construction of haffirs (channels) for water supply Establishing several irrigated demonstration farms Introduction of donkey carts for transporting water - for household use, and other goods, reducing the time and drudgery of collecting water, especially for women. Most of the community share the problems of working with soils that have a hard crust. When the rains come, the water cannot penetrate the soil. The project officer, at the time, Figure 2: The traditional plough made of introduced an wood. Photo: Practical Action implement used by many farmers in Ethiopia, the wooden ard plough. This is an assemblage of wooden pieces fitted together; it is lighter than many ploughs. The traditional design of plough for the region used a single handle that passed through a log. The log acted as the main body of the plough and only a small proportion on the plough was made of metal. Figure 3: Metalworking in Darfur. Photo: Practical Action
Sudan. Practical Action, The Schumacher Centre for Technology and Development, Bourton on Dunsmore, Rugby, Warwickshire, CV23 9QZ, UK T +44 (0)1926 634400 | F +44 (0)1926 634401 | E infoserv@practicalaction.org.uk | W www.practicalaction.org ______________________________________________________________________________________________ Practical Action is a registered charity and company limited by guarantee. Company Reg. No. 871954, England | Reg. Charity No.247257 | VAT No. 880 9924 76 | Patron HRH The Prince of Wales, KG, KT, GCB

The donkey plough

Practical Action

The plough is made lighter than many ploughs in other part of the world due to the arid conditions and the fact that it is being pulled by one donkey only or sometimes by a camel. The new design is based on the more traditional design but using an all-metal structure. The metal comes from scrap, which is usually obtained from old vehicles. The Azagarfa Blacksmiths Society was part of the Practical Action project concerned with participatory technology development in the design of a donkey-drawn plough using locally available skills and appropriate materials. The blade, for example, would be made from leaf springs from old suspensions. The steel is useful as it can easily be hardened through quenching to produce a hardwearing surface. After initial trials in the project area (Kebkabiya), this technology was scaled up and disseminated to other areas in North Darfur including Azagarfa Village, The Azagarfa Blacksmiths Society was registered in 1998 and Practical Action (then ITDG) organised the training of its members by other blacksmiths from Kassara who were already skilled in the improved design. Members have on to manufacture and sell the ploughs to individual farmers and farmer societies in the area. Figure 4: hammering one of the component parts of the plough Practical Action The conditions in which the ploughs are manufactured are fairly basic and the tools available to the blacksmiths are limited. The components of the plough consist of the minimal amount of material as steel is scarce. Practical Action has been involved the design of the harness in Sudan where improved harnesses have been introduced for ploughing and for water carrying. Practical Action publishing has also produced a book on simple harnesses. Figure 5: The plough before assembly Photo:
Practical Action Sudan.

As part of the training, new harnesses were demonstrated. The wider and softer strapping will spread the load and reduce rubbing thus preventing the animal from developing sores. The donkey plough demonstrates the relationship between the different aspects of Practical Actions work from the adaptation of a traditional technology to the development of an intermediate technology and brings together farming, metalworking and the production of improved harnesses.

Figure 6: Assembly of the plough. Photo: Practical

Action Sudan.

The donkey plough

Practical Action

Useful Addresses
Practical Action Sudan P.O. Box 4172 Khartoum Central 1114 Sudan Tel: + 249 183 460 419 Fax: + 249 183 472002 E-mail: sudan@practicalaction.org.sd World Association for Transport Animal Welfare and Studies - TAWS Old Stocks 62 The Avenue Worminghall Aylesbury, Bucks HP18 9LE United Kingdom Mr. Hovell Tel: 01844 339327 Robin Gripp Tel: 024 7634 3400, E-mail: info@taws.org Website: www.taws.org

References and further reading

The Kebkabiyah Plough manual by Mohammed Sidig & Omar Abderazig, Practical Action Sudan Technical Brief The Kebkabiyah Plough engineering drawing by Kamal Khalifa, Practical Action Sudan, Jan 2008 Metalworking Practical Action Technical Brief The Harnessing of Draught Animals Ian Barwell & Michael Ayre, Practical Action Publishing, 1982 Donkeys, Mules & Horses in Tropical Agricultural Development, University of Edinburgh, 1991

Practical Action The Schumacher Centre for Technology and Development Bourton-on-Dunsmore Rugby, Warwickshire, CV23 9QZ United Kingdom Tel: +44 (0)1926 634400 Fax: +44 (0)1926 634401 E-mail: inforserv@practicalaction.org.uk Website: http://practicalaction.org/practicalanswers/
Practical Action is a development charity with a difference. We know the simplest ideas can have the most profound, life-changing effect on poor people across the world. For over 40 years, we have been working closely with some of the worlds poorest people - using simple technology to fight poverty and transform their lives for the better. We currently work in 15 countries in Africa, South Asia and Latin America.

3000 650 600 50

600

1000

100 40

ID 400

Drawn by Kamal Khalifa

Date: 10th Feb 2008

All Dimensions in mm

Khartoum Ofce, Sudan

The Donkey Cart

Drawing No: DC - 02

650

3000 600 50

600

200

1000

R 20

Note: This shaft with threaded end can be made from an M20 bolt with the bolt head removed

M20 Thread 50

50

100 40

R7 or 1/2

D 12

150

1000

975

975

Drawn by Kemal Gindeel

Date: 28th Jan 2008

The Donkey Cart Frame and Axle

All Dimensions in mm

Khartoum Ofce, Sudan

Drawing No: DC - 01