Mechanizing African Agriculture

Abstract

Agricultural technologies that reduce the need for intensive manual labour make it possible for farmers to cultivate more land more effectively. This can increase both incomes and total food production, with significant benefits to farming households and communities in food-insecure regions. Despite these advantages, farmers in much of Africa rely on hand-held tools for farming. In many regions, tractors and engine-powered machinery is hard to access, and support such as trained operators, technicians and spare parts are rarely available. Recently, several initiatives have been implemented to empower farming households to access machinery in several African countries. This policy brief discusses the factors to consider for such initiatives to be successful.