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Promoting Smallholder Adoption of Conservation Agriculture through Mechanization Services

Author

Listed:
  • Brian Sims

    (Agricultural Engineer, Engineering for Development, 3 Bourneside, Bedford MK41 7EG, UK)

  • Jennifer Heney

    (Formerly of Rural Infrastructure and Agro-Industries Division, Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Rome 00153, Italy)

Abstract
The importance of conservation agriculture (CA) is discussed in the context of producing food for a growing population while, at the same time, conserving and improving the natural resource base: sustainable crop production intensification. CA requires mechanization, and the necessary equipment may be beyond the reach of the majority of smallholder farmers, especially in sub-Saharan Africa. A logical solution to this situation is to provide CA mechanization services from private sector entrepreneurs. These will be well-equipped with appropriate CA equipment and will usually benefit from specific training on the technical aspects of CA machinery operation and on the business skills needed to run a profitable venture. The technical skills to be reinforced include: equipment selection, calibration of planters, seeders and sprayers, field operation, maintenance and repair. Business skills needed include: market research and feasibility studies, business planning, calculation of operational costs, partial budgets, break-even points and cash flows. The case is made for local manufacture to reduce the costs of machinery acquisition and to encourage local adaptation. Start-up costs are discussed together with the options of obtaining finance. Guidelines for marketing and managing the mechanization service provision business are developed. These include the importance of contracts, work planning, regular maintenance schedules and record keeping. Finally the most appropriate vehicle for delivering the training and sustaining support is considered. Formal training courses are a good starting point, but can be expensive to organize and execute. Individual counselling from extension sources is a viable option when the quality of the service is high enough. Study groups of involved entrepreneurs should be encouraged and supported to overcome the problems that will inevitably arise in new business ventures.

Suggested Citation

  • Brian Sims & Jennifer Heney, 2017. "Promoting Smallholder Adoption of Conservation Agriculture through Mechanization Services," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 7(8), pages 1-22, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jagris:v:7:y:2017:i:8:p:64-:d:106387
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Xuelan Li & Rui Guan, 2023. "How Does Agricultural Mechanization Service Affect Agricultural Green Transformation in China?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(2), pages 1-23, January.
    2. Adane Tufa & Arega Alene & Hambulo Ngoma & Paswel Marenya & Julius Manda & Md Abdul Matin & Christian Thierfelder & David Chikoye, 2024. "Willingness to pay for agricultural mechanization services by smallholder farmers in Malawi," Agribusiness, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 40(1), pages 248-276, January.
    3. Qiu, Tongwei & Shi, Xinjie & He, Qinying & Luo, Biliang, 2021. "The paradox of developing agricultural mechanization services in China: Supporting or kicking out smallholder farmers?," China Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 69(C).
    4. Ping Xue & Xinru Han & Yongchun Wang & Xiudong Wang, 2022. "Can Agricultural Machinery Harvesting Services Reduce Cropland Abandonment? Evidence from Rural China," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 12(7), pages 1-15, June.
    5. Sara Kaweesa & Saidi Mkomwa & Willibald Loiskandl, 2018. "Adoption of Conservation Agriculture in Uganda: A Case Study of the Lango Subregion," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(10), pages 1-13, September.
    6. Lewei Chen & Zongyi Zhang & Hongbo Li & Xinpu Zhang, 2023. "Maintenance Skill Training Gives Agricultural Socialized Service Providers More Advantages," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 13(1), pages 1-17, January.
    7. Tatevik Yezekyan & Francesco Marinello & Giannantonio Armentano & Samuele Trestini & Luigi Sartori, 2018. "Definition of Reference Models for Power, Weight, Working Width, and Price for Seeding Machines," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 8(12), pages 1-13, November.
    8. Tongwei Qiu & S. T. Boris Choy & Yifei Li & Biliang Luo & Jing Li, 2021. "Farmers' Exit from Land Operation in Rural China: Does the Price of Agricultural Mechanization Services Matter?," China & World Economy, Institute of World Economics and Politics, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, vol. 29(2), pages 99-122, March.

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