Farm Equipment Manufacturing and Maintenance Services by Blacksmiths in Mali

Abstract

The Office of Niger has largely contributed to the spread of animal traction technology. Draft animals being largely available, the major constraint has been the high price of imported equipment relative to the purchasing power of the farmers. From the 1980s, considerable quantities of animal traction implements have been introduced particularly by the Arpon project. These implements were assembled at a central workshop and distributed to farmers through a medium term credit facility, including purchase of oxen. Meanwhile support was given to the upgrading of the first blacksmiths’ workshops, providing them with basic equipment, on credit. In the Southern Mali cotton production zone as well as in the Segou River plains rice producing area, associations of blacksmiths have also been created. These networks have greatly contributed to the improvement of skills and turn over of their members. Blacksmiths have become the main producers of animal traction equipment in Mali. Also, farmers greatly appreciate after-sales services. Nevertheless, the sector is still handicapped by major constraints, which are the high price of imported steel, the poor distribution network for electricity and its high cost, as well as the actual absence of credit facilities for blacksmiths. Therefore, in 1997, the blacksmiths’ association of the Office of Niger zone, together with those of the two other zones have created the CMDT/ON/ORS Blacksmiths’ Federation. Its main purposes are the provision and distribution of raw materials (steel products), facilitation of workshop upgrading, organization of training and exchange sessions, and promotion of product marketing.