Local Transport Solutions (Main Index)
 
Much effort - Little output
Transport increases
household productivity
Transport stimulates production
Transport increases market access
Diverse solutions available
Rural people lack mobility
 
Further Information (References,background and contacts)
Texte Francais

 

Transport increases access to markets
'Feeder transport' between farms, roads and markets is crucial. Farmers with bicycles, carts or pack animals can carry more produce to market more quickly. They have larger circles of travel and contacts, giving access to new information, markets and trading possibilities. Intermediate means of transport stimulate greater trade, production and profit.

In Makete in Tanzania, some people use donkeys for the transport of potatoes from field to village and from village to market. While women and men transport headloads of 20-30 kg, a single donkey can carry 80 kg. In one study, donkey-owning households in Makete were found to have higher levels of agricultural inputs and outputs, higher incomes and more wealth indicators than other households. The benefit-cost ratio of donkey investment (7:1) was very high.

Photograph by Paul Starkey ©
Potatoes brought to market in ox carts in
Madagascar

Photograph by Paul Starkey ©
Use of donkey for marketing products
in Ethiopia


Photograph by Paul Starkey ©
Bicycles used to market milk in Madagascar
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