Promote, evaluate and improve
Transport solutions can stimulate production, economic growth and people's aspirations, further increasing the demand for transport.
Photograph by Paul Starkey ©
Planning models need to be updated as transport technologies are adopted or rejected.
Ox cart in North West Zambia carrying an old man.
Ox carts were promoted for maize transport, but soon a variety of transport needs were met.

Photograph by Paul Starkey ©Changing technologies proved successful

The North-Western Integrated Rural Development Programme in Zambia aimed to introduce ox carts, so farmers could transport maize to depots. Wood was plentiful and the project started with carts with wooden wheels and bearings. From the programme's monitoring activities it was clear that the carts were not successful.

Programme staff worked with farmers to assess alternative designs. They eventually chose steel axles, roller bearings and pneumatic tyres fitted to locally-made wooden cart bodies. Although the axles/wheel combinations accounted for 90% of the cart cost, they proved appropriate. The ox carts were popular and their adoption, assisted by extension and credit, was rapid. When the adoption target of one cart per ten households was reached, promotion and credit were stopped. Monitoring and evaluation then revealed that cart numbers were insufficient to meet the new transport needs and the aspirations of the people. The ox cart programme had been a greater success than planned, and it recommenced with higher targets.

Photo: Innovative ox cart with cover developed by a trader moving between villages in North West Zambia
Photograph by Paul Starkey ©
 This farmer in North West Zambia was bringing produce to town in an ox cart. He said the ox cart had allowed him to increase his production and sales of tomatoes and other vegetables since he was no longer limited by headloading his produce to market.