What hampers farm mechanisation in Africa? (Farmers Weekly)

Farmers Weekly reported on urbanization, increased food demand, rising rural wages, and seasonal labour bottlenecks have led to the interest in promoting agricultural mechanization in sub-Saharan Africa. Agricultural transformation is imperative for growth and poverty reduction in Africa. Yet progress has been elusive. The region is a net food importer despite the fact that agriculture accounts for 60% of employment. Main food crop yields are estimated at about half the world average, and rural poverty, hunger and malnutrition are persistent. The IFPRI report, ‘An evolving paradigm of agricultural mechanisation development: How much can Africa learn from Asia?’ states that Africa can learn a great deal from Asia’s experience with mechanization. Promoting a Green Revolution-style agricultural intensification, focusing on improved seed varieties, fertilizer and agrochemicals that increase land productivity could be a way to achieve the needed transformation.