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 Commerceof 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 needthem most. Considering the importance of this industry in the
overall goal of food self-sufficiency, the current situation cannotcontinue. 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 beaddressed, 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 themanufacturing of low-cost transport equipment industry that
compliment the ATI industry.
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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 forAutomobile Design at the Ahmadu Bello University in Nigeria is
working on a three wheel vehicle using a 2-stroke engine with a payload 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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