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Other institutional supportive services such as tariff protection, guaranteed.

3-6. The role of existing institutional mechanisms for co ordinating the promotion and commercialization of agricultural tools and implements

70. With the widening of the industrial and technological base in

a developing country, the need for accurate classification and standardization of products also increases. In the context of ATI the widening of the industrial and technological base in a developing country makes the domestic market more competitive and this, in turn, increases the demand for better quality and standardized ATI products. Some African countries are making considerable efforts to increase the number of technical standards enacted and to deve1op an appropriate system o f qua1ity certification. This effort should definitely be encouraged and harmonisation with the African Regional Organization for Standardization (ARSO) is required.

71. The basic function of the quality control and standardization office in each country is:

- To formulate, co-ordinate and supervise policies on the quality control certification and standardization of ATI; goods; harmonizing the interest of the Government with those of the industrial sectors and consumer.

To assure uniformity and rationality in the application of units of measurements used through the country.

To promote voluntary standardization activities.

To establish standards related to industrial materials and products; and

To facilitate and co-ordinate the participation of the country in international activities, in the fields of industrial activities, such as industrial standardization

i^

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and quality control.

72. Once standardization and quality control is assured, commercialization of agricultural tools and implements can be done easily. In fact, marketing links between some member countries have already been established. For example, a large number of ploughs, harrows, cultivators, ridgers, planters and groundnut shellers produced in Zimbabwe by Bulawayo Steel Products and ZIMPLOW are sold in Tanzania, Ethiopia, Uganda and Swaziland; and Cameroon

sells many of its ATI to the UDEAC countries. More effort is needed

to promote sales in other countries. National Chambers of Commerce

of PTA Member countries can be used for promoting sales of ATI in

the sub-region. Periodic publications and exhibitions can also assist in the marketing of ATI.

73. The African region produces less ATI than is needed. The

demand is met by imports that are sometimes inappropriate, usually

of poor quality and beyond the reach of the rural poor who need

them most. Considering the importance of this industry in the

overall goal of food self-sufficiency, the current situation cannot

continue. Africa must manufacture its own ATI especially given the

fact that the technology involved has been mastered by the technicians in the continent. Capacity under utilization must be

addressed, since most enterprises in the region are operating below their installed capacity. Before a comprehensive solution is

proposed, the next chapter will look at the problem of the

manufacturing of low-cost transport equipment industry that

compliment the ATI industry.

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ECA/IHSD/IDPS/ENG/010/92 Page 34

CHAPTER FOUR : A SURVEY OF NATIONAL, SUBREGIONAL AND REGIONAL SUPPLY DEMAND AND CURRENT CAPABILITIES OF MANUFACTURING LOW-COST TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT.

4-1 Introduction

74. Presently, no major facilities exist in most African countries

for the manufacture of two wheelers or three wheelers with engine

capacity of 50-200 cc low-cost transport. The Centre for

Automobile Design at the Ahmadu Bello University in Nigeria is

working on a three wheel vehicle using a 2-stroke engine with a pay

load of 500 kg. However, many countries in the continent manufacture hand carts and animal drawn carts for transporting

goods and agricultural produce.

75. The case of Ahmadu Bello University is not widespread. There is need therefore, to establish manufacturing plants for a few models of two and three wheelers to meet the regional demand. A study should be undertaken to decide on the extent of the need for such transport equipment. The production of this type of low-cost transport equipment would mainly consist of the following activities.

a) Manufacture of critical components of:

-Engine and other related parts.

-Pressed parts.

b) Assembling of vehicles from engines and pressed parts as well as sub-assemblies.

76. The use of motorized two and three wheel vehicles is very limited in most of the countries of the region, and the use of these vehicles as a mode of low cost transport vehicles is almost non existent. Most of the vehicles presently available are being used by army, police, government departments and commercial organizations. They are all presently being imported. This can be partially attributed to non-availability, high market price and

lack of exposure.

4.2. Identification of existing fleet and status of low-cost transport equipment industry.

77. Low-cost transport equipment in most African countries is limited to bullock carts, hand cart, the so-called "push-push" in most West and Central African countries and wheel barrows. Bullock carts and push-push are produced at cottage level using about 70%

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of locally available material. Wheel barrows are also produced at cottage level but with imported material. They can however be manufactured from locally available wooden materials.

78. The demand for LCTE is limited due to the low income of the rural population. As a result, producers operate on order basis

only. Furthermore, the quality of the Pt^^^^J"™^