Without a doubt, farm mechanization is a key agricultural input in worldwide Agricultural economies, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Farm mechanization is the application of farm power with appropriate tools, implements and machines. The use of agricultural engineering solutions could possibly transform the livelihood of millions of poor families and boost developing economies. For one, farm mechanization can help produce higher value products at a larger number and at the same time remove the hard labour associated with human muscle.
When farming families have improved lives, it means they will have increased access to input supply chains and integration in modern food systems, resulting in improved incomes, numerous and renewed business opportunities, further value addition and overall improved livelihoods for smallholder families.
The world population is at 7.31 billion. By 2050, the population is expected to reach 9 billion and 11 billion at the close of the century, according to the United Nations. Currently, the globe has 500 million smallholder farms that produce about 80 % of global food production. If this number of smallholder farmers will match up with the world’s food needs, these farmers, many of them in Sub-Saharan Africa, will need to embrace farm mechanization to multiply food production. The world needs to multiply food production by over 60 percent.
Development in farm mechanization is very closely related to the shortage of human labour and industrial development in the country
The Almighty Tractor
In the introduction of farm mechanization, the most important equipment is the tractor. This is because it provides many other implements and furnishes power for the operation of machines drawn behind the tractor.
Many types of implements have been developed for the activities in growing crops. These include planting, weeding, fertilizing, and combating pests. The tractors can also set up to drive to operate equipment such as feed grinders, pumps, and electric power generators.
In Africa, the green revolution with farm mechanization has not quite taken off as it has in Asia and other agric economies in the world. Agric mechanization, fertilizer use and adoption of other contemporary technologies have all remained at low levels across most of the continent.
In the long run, if Africa intensifies agric mechanization on a large scale, it must do so in line with the rules of sustainable production. These include environmentally friendly production, reductions in agricultural greenhouse gas, and efficient use and conservation of natural resources.
