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Animals : an open access journal from MDPI2021; 11(9); 2683; doi: 10.3390/ani11092683

The Use of Draught Animals in Rural Labour.

Abstract: This study discusses scientific findings on the use of draught animals such as equids (i.e., horses, mules, and donkeys) and bovids (i.e., cattle and water buffaloes) in rural labours. Relevant peer-reviewed literature published between 1980 and 2021 was retrieved from CAB Abstracts, PubMed, ISI Web of Knowledge, and Scopus databases. Although animals were used to produce draught power since their domestication and are still being used for this purpose, mechanisation has markedly reduced animal labour demand in agriculture. However, the process was uneven across continents according to economic constraints, and draught animals are currently concentrated in small production units located on terrains that do not favour agriculture mechanisation in Africa, Latin America, and Asia. Generally, equids can work at rates similar to those of bovids or faster but can sustain the work for shorter periods of time. In addition, buffaloes possess tough hooves and resistance to disease that make them suitable for working in wetlands and clay soils. Draught animals allow a marked reduction of both GHG emissions and non-renewable energy consumption as compared with agricultural machinery. In addition, they may allow obtaining profits from otherwise non-usable lands. Therefore, their use should be promoted in rural areas where low investments are usually the only ones feasible, and the energy of the animals can be obtained at a low cost by feeding them harvest residues and by-products. However, more attention should be paid to the quality of human-animal interactions-due to the close contact between animals and humans while working-and to the welfare of draught animals when transported and slaughtered-due to the high prevalence of injuries they suffer when subjected to these practices.
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Publication Date: 2021-09-13 PubMed ID: 34573649PubMed Central: PMC8471664DOI: 10.3390/ani11092683Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research explores the current usage of draught animals in rural labour, highlighting the advantages, changes in usage patterns and welfare concerns. Questions of economy, geography and animal health come into focus, while the potential environmental and economic benefits raise questions about the sustainable future of animal labour.

Selection of Research Literature

  • The study examined a broad range of peer-reviewed literature, published between 1980 and 2021. Selections were retrieved from various databases such as CAB Abstracts, PubMed, ISI Web of Knowledge, and Scopus, ensuring a broad and up-to-date knowledge base.

Changes in Animal Labour Usage

  • While domesticated animals have been used for draught power for centuries, their usage has seen a significant decline due to the rise of mechanisation in agriculture.
  • The adaptation of mechanisation was uneven across different continents, largely due to economic factors. The remaining majority of draught animals are now found in small production units in Africa, Latin America, and Asia, where the terrain doesn’t favour the use of machines.

Comparative Analysis

  • The research compared the working capabilities of various draught animals. Equids (such as horses, mules, and donkeys) can work at similar or faster rates than bovids (cattle and water buffaloes), but for shorter periods.
  • Water buffaloes were highlighted for their abilities to work effectively in wetlands and clay soils, aided by their tough hooves and disease resistance.

Environmental and Economic Implications

  • Draught animals were found to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and non-renewable energy consumption compared to agricultural machinery.
  • These animals can also be used to profit from lands that would otherwise be unfit for agricultural use.
  • The research suggests promoting their use in rural areas where only low investments are possible, and where draught animals can be maintained at a low cost using harvest residues and by-products as feed.

Welfare Concerns

  • The study ends with a call to increase the attention paid to the quality of human-animal interactions during work and the welfare of draught animals during transportation and slaughtering. This is in response to the high rates of injuries suffered by these animals in these circumstances.

Cite This Article

APA
Mota-Rojas D, Braghieri A, Álvarez-Macías A, Serrapica F, Ramírez-Bribiesca E, Cruz-Monterrosa R, Masucci F, Mora-Medina P, Napolitano F. (2021). The Use of Draught Animals in Rural Labour. Animals (Basel), 11(9), 2683. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11092683

Publication

Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
ISSN: 2076-2615
NlmUniqueID: 101635614
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 11
Issue: 9
PII: 2683

Researcher Affiliations

Mota-Rojas, Daniel
  • Neurophysiology, Behavior and Animal Welfare Assessment, DPAA, Campus Xochimilco, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana, México City 04960, Mexico.
Braghieri, Ada
  • Scuola di Scienze Agrarie, Forestali, Alimentari ed Ambientali, Università degli Studi della Basilicata, 85100 Potenza, PZ, Italy.
Álvarez-Macías, Adolfo
  • Neurophysiology, Behavior and Animal Welfare Assessment, DPAA, Campus Xochimilco, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana, México City 04960, Mexico.
Serrapica, Francesco
  • Dipartimento di Agraria, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, 80055 Portici, NA, Italy.
Ramírez-Bribiesca, Efrén
  • Livestock Program, Colegio de Postgraduados, Texcoco 56230, Mexico.
Cruz-Monterrosa, Rosy
  • Food Science Department, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana-Unidad Lerma, Lerma 52172, Mexico.
Masucci, Felicia
  • Dipartimento di Agraria, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, 80055 Portici, NA, Italy.
Mora-Medina, Patricia
  • Livestock Department, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), FESC, Mexico City 54715, Mexico.
Napolitano, Fabio
  • Scuola di Scienze Agrarie, Forestali, Alimentari ed Ambientali, Università degli Studi della Basilicata, 85100 Potenza, PZ, Italy.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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