Agricultural Mechanization in Semi - Arid Areas: Findings from Low Land Machakos District

This study examines the role of mechanization in \nagricultural production under semi-arid conditions, drawing \non findings from low land Machakos District. The complementarity \nbetween hydrological, biological, chemical and \nmechanical inputs is emphasised; to underline the desirability \nof a package approach in introducing innovations needed in \nexpanding agricultural production; to provide a framework \nwithin which mechanical innovations must be viewed. \nOn the basis of the relative factor scarcities both \nfrom the national and individual farmers' point of view as \nwell as the size distribution of the individual operating units \nand the availability of financial resources at the farm level,g \ntheoretical range of the form of farm machinery that would \nbe consistent with efficient resource allocation as well as \nbeing feasible and both technically and economically efficient \nhas been constructed. The characteristic of such machines \nshould include labour augmenting properties, in view of the \nrelative abundance of labour, be able to fit in small operating \nunits in view of the small sizes of the typical farms, be \naccessible to farmers with limited financial resources and \ninvolve minimal risk of financial losses in such areas as under \nstudy where crop failures are frequent. In concrete terms, \nan intermediate mechanical technology roughly covering animal \ndrought and or small motorized implements would seem desirable. \n(ii) \nIt has been found that the predominant use of \nanimal drought in these areas is consistent with the postulated \nrelevant technology. The contribution of mechanization to \nagricultural production can be viewed through the extent of \ncultivated areas. It has been suggested that the expansion \nof cultivated areas would increase potential outputs. While \nthe technology in use is relevant, there are marginal \nimprovements that could increase its effectiveness. Such \nfactors as the use of more appropriate implements e.g. the \nard or tine instead of the heavy all steel mouldboard plough \nand greater attention to selection training and breeding of \ntask animals would greatly improve the effectiveness of the \nanimal based technology.