Mechanized farming is unpopular in Africa’s food production scene. Over 70% of the agricultural workforce in Sub-Saharan Africa relies on manual tools, with hoes and cutlasses as symbols of food production. The effect; despite possessing approximately 50% of the world's arable land, Africa is still the only region in the world where agricultural productivity is largely stagnant. Food insecurity in Africa is a constant challenge, indicating that the available land space is under cultivated.

Research has shown that mechanized farms see significantly higher outputs compared to those relying solely on manual labor. The FAO defines sustainable mechanization as a means to an end. This shows that mechanization holds the potential to transform agriculture and increase food production.

The FAO estimates that Sub-Saharan Africa will need to more than double its food production by 2050 to meet growing demand. The current, crude farming system struggles to meet the needs of the present population. This highlights the urgent need for a significant production boost. Mechanized farming offers a potential solution to increase production and cultivated land area, while also enabling diversification of agricultural output.

Can mechanization save Africa?

The challenge of Implementing Mechanized Farming

While mechanized farming holds the potential to transform Africa's agricultural sector, the road to adoption, is not a smooth drive. Instances of failed and partially successfully attempts at implementation can be found throughout Africa’s history, several well-intentioned mechanization projects have faltered due to a combination of factors. The FAO suggests that a fragmented approach might be responsible for these fails. Government agencies compete with the private sector rather than collaborating with them, creating confusion.

A study by the African Development Bank found that knowledge gaps and a lack of training opportunities are significant barriers to mechanization adoption for smallholder farmers in Africa. Access to spare parts and qualified repair services is often limited in rural areas. This discourages farmers from investing in machinery due to concerns about downtime and cost of maintenance.

Journey to Farming Mechanization in Africa

In 2016, Nigeria embarked on a pilot project to provide tractors and fertilizer to farmers to boost agricultural production. The then Deputy Director for Engineering and Mechanization in the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Abdullahi Abubakar recounted that his department partnered with Agricultural Equipment Hiring Enterprises (AEHEs), through 110 centers to provide services to smallholder farmers. According to him, Mechanization makes the farmer more efficient, displacing unskilled labor and allowing the farmer to till a large parcel of land over a short time.”

In 2018, the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) and the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) officially launched a training manual set to provide practical guidance for agricultural mechanization entrepreneurs in rural areas.

A recent study conducted in 2022 reveals that there has been a growing interest in Agricultural mechanization in Africa. Private Investors are increasingly drawn to mechanized agro-processing and African governments have become directly involved in the international procurement of farming machinery; mainly tractors, and in setting-up tractors services for smallholder farmers who cannot afford to buy their own.

Potential Impact of Agricultural Mechanization

According to the FAO, Investment in mechanized agriculture has transformed the agricultural sector in Asia and Latin America regions in recent years into a progressive commercial industry. Research carried out in China, examined how the rate of crop cultivation in China increased from 32.3% in 2000 to 68% in 2020. It was discovered that there was a wide spread adoption of mechanization even among small holder farmers during this time period. In 2018, Akinwumi Adesina, President of the African Development Bank Group, urged swift action on technology transfer in Africa's agriculture sector. He believes Africa can achieve agricultural transformation by combining innovative technologies with strong government support, mirroring China's model.

A study conducted in 2020 explored the positive and negative impacts of agricultural mechanization in four African countries using Focus Group Discussions. While participants acknowledged the benefits of mechanization, such as increased yields, higher incomes, and more land cultivated, they also raised concerns about its environmental and social impact. These concerns included soil erosion, deforestation, increased herbicide use, conflicts arising from land disputes, and mismanaged funds. The research concluded that many of the changes related to mechanization will be positive. However, some can be negative in the absence of complementary research efforts and policy measures.

While mechanized farming across the board isn't a magic bullet for Africa's green revolution, it's a crucial stepping stone to success. Despite past failures, renewed efforts with strong government support, private sector investment, and farmer training can make mechanized farming a success in Africa. While challenges like affordability and infrastructure remain, mechanization offers a path to increased productivity, improved food security, and a more attractive agricultural sector for a younger generation.