Water researchers at the International Water Management Institute in Sri Lanka are studying the implications of the growing use of these devices, to give governments, NGOs and other institutions vital data and information to shape policies for future use. The shea butter tree is a small deciduous tree abundant in the savanna areas of West Africa. Traditional processing of shea nuts carried out by women and children is time-consuming, and uses large quantities of firewood and water, both of which may have to be carried long distances to the village. The women complain that roasting the pounded kernels and boiling the extracted cream are hot, heavy tasks and the kneading causes back and shoulder pains. To counter these problems, researchers have developed a simple press which reduces average processing time from 9.5 to 3.25 hours, cuts water use from 90 litres to just 1.7 litres, and requires no firewood at all.
Economic analysis shows good returns can be achieved at higher processing rates.
Harnessing horse power For many poorer people, draught animals are far more appropriate than tractors and combine harvesters which can damage fragile tropical soils and are unsuitable for the tiny plots of land tilled. Research funded by the DFID Livestock Production Programme has looked at using single donkeys or horses, rather than traditional pairs of oxen. By studying the performance of donkeys as draught animals, their feeding and drinking behaviour and developing a lightweight plough and other implements, the range of operations that can be performed by donkeys has been increased. As a result animal traction has been extended to a poorer group of users, and in particular to women who find these animals easier to handle, cheaper to maintain and less likely to fall sick during droughts. Bees raise income in Tanzania Traditional beekeeping practices in the tropics are not well suited to women as they typically involve siting heavy log hives high up in trees far from home, and harvesting at night.