Ströh de Martínez, C. (2017): Successful Agricultural Mechanisation in Sub-Saharan Africa and the Significance of Agricultural Financing, in: DIE Briefing Paper
To address low agricultural productivity and rural poverty in sub-Saharan Africa, this study explores how agricultural mechanisation, supported by appropriate financing, can transform smallholder farming. In much of the region, land is still cultivated manually, resulting in low yields, heavy workloads, and limited appeal of agriculture for younger generations.
The paper highlights that well-planned mechanisation, aligned with local conditions and labour dynamics, can improve productivity, reduce post-harvest losses, and enhance competitiveness without necessarily causing job losses. Reflecting the African Union’s Agenda 2063 vision to “abolish the mattock by 2025,” the analysis shows that access to agricultural finance is key to enabling this transition and ensuring that mechanisation contributes to inclusive and sustainable rural development.
Link: https://www.idos-research.de/uploads/media/BP_11.2017.pdf