Challenges and opportunities to scaling smallholder mechanization in Kenya, Malawi, Zambia, and Zimbabwe

As governments heighten the drive to mechanize agriculture, critical information is required on (i) existing mechanization options, (ii) barriers and challenges, (iii) opportunities for scaling and effective demand for mechanization. This paper combines quantitative and qualitative surveys to help e...

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Autores principales: Ngoma, Hambulo, Simutowe, Esau, Md Abdul Matin, Thierfelder, Christian
Formato: Brochure
Lenguaje:Inglés
Publicado: International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center 2023
Materias:
Acceso en línea:https://hdl.handle.net/10568/138489
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author Ngoma, Hambulo
Simutowe, Esau
Md Abdul Matin
Thierfelder, Christian
author_browse Md Abdul Matin
Ngoma, Hambulo
Simutowe, Esau
Thierfelder, Christian
author_facet Ngoma, Hambulo
Simutowe, Esau
Md Abdul Matin
Thierfelder, Christian
author_sort Ngoma, Hambulo
collection Repository of Agricultural Research Outputs (CGSpace)
description As governments heighten the drive to mechanize agriculture, critical information is required on (i) existing mechanization options, (ii) barriers and challenges, (iii) opportunities for scaling and effective demand for mechanization. This paper combines quantitative and qualitative surveys to help elucidate on some of these key issues in Kenya, Malawi, Zambia, and Zimbabwe where mechanization is part of national policy priorities. Data were collected through Qualitative surveys involving 484 participants in focus group discussions and 109 key informants. Focusing mainly on farm mechanization and irrigation options for smallholder farmers, we found that animal draft power is still dominant for land preparation, ahead of two-and four-wheel tractors. Common options for post-harvest management include shellers, improved granaries and hermetic bags. In terms of demand, there is nascent literature suggesting that farmers in Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe are willing to pay positive amounts for different mechanization services, indicating prevalence of effective demand and good opportunities for mechanization. Supply side barriers to scaling mechanization include limited availability of machines and spares, poor after sale, and repair and maintenance services in the vicinity of farmers. On the demand side, high capital requirements, limited awareness and technical knowledge and the high cost of hire services are some of the main barriers to scaling. Based on these findings, there is need for inclusive and innovative financing mechanisms, demand creation and awareness raising to scale up and scale out mechanization.
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spelling CGSpace1384892025-05-04T09:21:59Z Challenges and opportunities to scaling smallholder mechanization in Kenya, Malawi, Zambia, and Zimbabwe Ngoma, Hambulo Simutowe, Esau Md Abdul Matin Thierfelder, Christian scaling up smallholders mechanization data collection As governments heighten the drive to mechanize agriculture, critical information is required on (i) existing mechanization options, (ii) barriers and challenges, (iii) opportunities for scaling and effective demand for mechanization. This paper combines quantitative and qualitative surveys to help elucidate on some of these key issues in Kenya, Malawi, Zambia, and Zimbabwe where mechanization is part of national policy priorities. Data were collected through Qualitative surveys involving 484 participants in focus group discussions and 109 key informants. Focusing mainly on farm mechanization and irrigation options for smallholder farmers, we found that animal draft power is still dominant for land preparation, ahead of two-and four-wheel tractors. Common options for post-harvest management include shellers, improved granaries and hermetic bags. In terms of demand, there is nascent literature suggesting that farmers in Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe are willing to pay positive amounts for different mechanization services, indicating prevalence of effective demand and good opportunities for mechanization. Supply side barriers to scaling mechanization include limited availability of machines and spares, poor after sale, and repair and maintenance services in the vicinity of farmers. On the demand side, high capital requirements, limited awareness and technical knowledge and the high cost of hire services are some of the main barriers to scaling. Based on these findings, there is need for inclusive and innovative financing mechanisms, demand creation and awareness raising to scale up and scale out mechanization. 2023 2024-01-25T15:21:27Z 2024-01-25T15:21:27Z Brochure https://hdl.handle.net/10568/138489 en Open Access application/pdf International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center Ngoma, H., Simutowe, E., Md Abdul Matin, & Thierfelder, C. (2023). Challenges and opportunities to scaling smallholder mechanization in Kenya, Malawi, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. CIMMYT. https://hdl.handle.net/10883/22978
spellingShingle scaling up
smallholders
mechanization
data collection
Ngoma, Hambulo
Simutowe, Esau
Md Abdul Matin
Thierfelder, Christian
Challenges and opportunities to scaling smallholder mechanization in Kenya, Malawi, Zambia, and Zimbabwe
title Challenges and opportunities to scaling smallholder mechanization in Kenya, Malawi, Zambia, and Zimbabwe
title_full Challenges and opportunities to scaling smallholder mechanization in Kenya, Malawi, Zambia, and Zimbabwe
title_fullStr Challenges and opportunities to scaling smallholder mechanization in Kenya, Malawi, Zambia, and Zimbabwe
title_full_unstemmed Challenges and opportunities to scaling smallholder mechanization in Kenya, Malawi, Zambia, and Zimbabwe
title_short Challenges and opportunities to scaling smallholder mechanization in Kenya, Malawi, Zambia, and Zimbabwe
title_sort challenges and opportunities to scaling smallholder mechanization in kenya malawi zambia and zimbabwe
topic scaling up
smallholders
mechanization
data collection
url https://hdl.handle.net/10568/138489
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