The findings of this field trip cannot be considered a survey. The purpose was a general investigation of the condition of draught animals and the status of land preparation in the area. It is too early to establish how the reduction in the number and condition of draught animals will affect land preparation in Tigray. At present, the biggest problem is the feeding and watering of the animals. The purchase price of feed in most areas visited is extremely high and the feeding of a draught animal may cost a farmer up to Birr 10 per day.
Water availability is also a cause for concern.
In many places, the animals have to move up to a one day distance for watering which may further weaken them and reduce their work performance. This also results in longer land preparation periods. According to the gathered information, the number of farmers without an ox exceeds the number of oxen owners. But in such cases, oxenless farmers suffer the disadvantage of late land preparation. The Wemberta wereda administrator mentioned that timely emergency food distributions has had a positive effect for oxen owners.