Mechanization of agriculture is considered one of the important solutions to ending hunger in Africa.
Reports show that Africa’s agricultural systems remain the least mechanized of any continent. About 70 percent of farmers cultivate plots of less than two hectares using manual labor and hoes .
According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), there are fewer than two tractors per 1,000 hectares of arable land in Africa.
Experts say the widespread replacement of manual labor and animal traction will change the face of African agriculture.
Constant reliance on hand hoes (80 percent) and draft animals (15 percent) has characterized our agricultural systems for decades with accompanying drudgery. Consequently, only 40 percent of Africa’s arable land is used because of the lack of the necessary equipment to open it to production.
Mechanization can help unlock the underutilized potential of agriculture. The solution lies in developing mechanisms that allow small farmers who cannot afford to buy their own equipment to gain access to equipment such as tractors.
What’s already been done:
Heifer International has announced a $4.5 million investment over the next 10 years in Hello Tractor’s tractor reservation platform as part of the Tractors for Africa project.
During the presentation, held at Kati-Kati Restaurant in Lugogo, Kampala, 11 tractors were given to young entrepreneurs from Dokolo, Lira, Gulu, Kole and Mubende, Abim areas under a subsidized model called Pay As-You. -Go (PAYG) tractor financing.
Launching a resource called TractorKingTraders.co.nz – advice and assistance in purchasing tractors at better prices. The main partners are sellers of used and new tractors from all over the world. Through the efforts of TractorKingTrader.co.nz – you can buy a tractor, below market value with delivery in Africa.
The activity is designed to help farmers who cannot access financing due to lack of collateral to be able to farm productively. And allow them to buy a tractor at better prices.