One foggy winter morning in August, my colleagues and I visited flower farms on the hillsides of Menagesha and the Welisso cluster in Ethiopia. During our visit, we heard the sound of hooves behind us. A rural woman, working at the flower company, emerged from the greenhouse riding a donkey that carried a bundle of flowers. “I must be a monkey’s uncle; can this stubborn donkey do that?” one of my colleagues exclaimed. The woman, with a hint of skepticism, responded in a way that seemed somewhat disrespectful. My friend was taken aback and asked, “Why did she make that comment? What mistake did I make?”
In truth, he hadn’t made a mistake. Such disrespect often stems from deep-seated beliefs that challenge traditional roles of rural women in that community. Without donkeys, women working in the flower industry would face significant challenges. Donkeys are not just beasts of burden; they symbolize a partnership that enhances the livelihoods of rural women and empowers them within their communities. In this rugged mountainous area, donkeys are not viewed as obstinate or useless. Misconceptions about their capabilities are often shaped by everyday language. When people compare others to donkeys, it can come off as an insult to their intelligence. The woman riding the donkey does not want her animal companion to be seen as worthless or inflexible.
Using donkeys for transport in Ethiopia’s commercial flower farms is a relatively new approach, especially in regions where greenhouses and packing houses are not optimally integrated. This lack of connection has led to logistical challenges, including workflow inefficiencies, delivery delays, and potential losses in product quality. Therefore, employing donkeys to bridge the logistics gap between greenhouses and packing houses is viewed as an innovative and sustainable solution, particularly in areas where manual trolleys are less feasible.
In highland flower-producing areas of Ethiopia, transporting flowers from greenhouses to packing houses typically involves manual labor, wheelbarrows, and carts, especially in clusters with limited infrastructure. These wheelbarrows and carts usually have one or two wheels, consisting of an upright frame, a base plate, and handles, allowing users to tilt them back and roll them along the ground. They often feature solid rubber wheels and a vertical frame with handles at the top. Farm workers find it easier to handle flowers with hand carts, reducing the likelihood of muscle strain. It is also common for manual laborers to carry plastic buckets filled with flower stems on their shoulders to transport flowers from the greenhouse to the packing houses.
Gezachew, the duty general manager of Gallica and owner of six donkeys, considers these animals to be the most valuable assets on his farm. He points out that donkeys can perform logistical tasks at a rate eight times that of manual labor. For instance, while a farm laborer can carry about 60 rose stems per trip, a donkey is capable of transporting approximately 480 stems in a single trip from the greenhouse to the packing house. Currently, manual laborers work over eight hours to meet the company’s daily shipment targets, whereas donkeys can work for about 16 hours. This illustrates the physical capability and endurance of donkeys as essential partners in the company’s operations. Although the cost of an average-sized donkey ranges from $82 to $85—equivalent to two months’ salary for a field laborer—it is a worthwhile investment.
Degu, the farm manager at Assela Flower, said, “Our donkeys symbolize flexibility and determination, enabling farms to adapt and thrive amidst logistical challenges during the rainy season. These remarkable animals are known for their resilience, carrying heavy loads with quiet determination that often goes unnoticed. Despite their humble appearance, donkeys possess a unique strength that is both sturdy and reliable, making them invaluable companions in challenging environments.”
While wheelbarrows and manual carts play a significant role in transportation on even terrain, they have several shortcomings, such as instability, difficulty navigating uneven surfaces, and limited load capacity. The single wheel can easily get caught or stuck, complicating the movement of loads. Overall, these options are less suited for rough roads and long distances compared to donkey transport. Additionally, the initial costs of equipment and ongoing maintenance can be quite high.
Recently, there has been a noticeable trend of companies rediscovering and adopting older transportation technologies. This shift is not merely a sense of nostalgia; it reflects a conscious choice to embrace simpler, cheaper, and sometimes more environmentally friendly technologies compared to modern, complex equipment. Essentially, this trend represents a selective re-embracing of certain older technologies for their unique qualities and the valuable experiences they offer.
In the rugged terrain of Menagesaha, Holeta, and the Wilisso Horti Cluster of Ethiopia, flower farms are gradually replacing human labor and hand trucks with donkey transport for moving flowers. Farm workers who previously transported flowers from the greenhouse to the packing house using manual hand carts in this challenging terrain found it required significantly more energy than moving on flat ground. This increased energy expenditure leads to faster fatigue and decreased productivity, making it harder to maintain a high pace of work. The slopes and loose soil complicate quick movement and balance, forcing workers with hand carts to move more cautiously, further reducing the overall speed of transportation.
Most roads in the rugged topography of the Ethiopian highlands are dry weather roads, which become inconvenient for human and manual hand cart transportation during the wet season, hindering smooth operations. The wet season, particularly from June to September, significantly impacts field transport due to heavy rainfall and muddy road conditions, leading to challenges and potential delays in logistics. Even flat roads become muddy and slippery during this period, making it very difficult for hand carts and vehicles to transport flowers from greenhouses to packing houses. As a result, flower-producing and exporting companies in the highland cluster prefer using donkeys for transportation over human and manual hand carts.
Donkeys alleviate the workload for flower companies by reducing the physical strain on laborers who carry heavy loads and perform repetitive tasks.
Recently, flower companies in the rugged topography of Ethiopia have initiated efforts to provide shelter, veterinary services, and proper feeding for donkeys. Gallica Flower has already allocated about 2 to 3 acres, sufficient to accommodate a significant number of donkeys.
In summary, donkeys represent a cost-effective alternative to labor in remote areas, particularly for farms with limited technology and resources. Their ability to navigate uneven terrain makes them ideal for various agricultural tasks. In rugged landscapes, donkeys are valued by businesses as essential transport for flower farms, even in an era dominated by hand carts and motorbikes.
However, as marginalized groups require representation, donkeys also need organizations that advocate for their welfare and raise awareness about their needs, promoting better treatment and care. Flower companies that utilize donkeys for labor have an ethical obligation to ensure their well-being, which includes providing adequate care, proper living conditions, and humane treatment. Ensuring the health and well-being of donkeys can lead to more sustainable and productive outcomes for businesses. Healthy animals are more efficient workers, ultimately benefiting both the animals and the companies that rely on them.
Mekonnen Solomon works at the Ministry of Agriculture in the horticulture sector and can be reached at ehdaplan@gmail.com.
