Animal Traction: New Opportunities and New Challenges

• DOI: 10.24326/fmpmsa.2017.5
• Publication Date: 2018-03-21T07:57:04Z
• Authors: Arlindo ALMEIDA; João RODRIGUES
• Keywords: 2. Zero hunger; draught animal; Sustainable agriculture; 1. No poverty; 15. Life on land; Draught animal; 01 natural sciences; 7. Clean energy; mechanization; Mechanization; mountain farming; sustainable agriculture; Mountain farming; 13. Climate action; Impacts; 11. Sustainability; impacts; 0105 earth and related environmental sciences

In the last one hundred years, tractors with much more power replaced animals all over world, except in developing countries.Besides advantage power, use of increases agriculture productivity and time efficiency field operations.Despite unquestionable for performance, recent years interest by animal traction is growing, even developed countries.It important to understand why.This usually linked small scale farming, but not only.Environmental concern most significant reasons, different aspects: working as a renewable source energy; forest management protected areas protect soil physical properties related compaction affected tillage treatments; operations environment areas, among others.In old vineyards, producing high value output, plant spacing turn without alternative.The maintenance gene pool domestic animals; creation jobs rural such farrier, harness maker implement manufacturer, are also issues.New challenges: new implements must be designed mechanical solutions achieved.