This archive report was first published on 30 November 2019.
As the country continues to promote mechanization under the Big Four Agenda, farmers are increasingly adopting modern farm machinery to boost productivity and efficiency.
According to Alex Makaa, divisional manager at New Holland for CMC motors, the country has made positive milestones in promoting mechanization, but there are still many opportunities to facilitate it.
Conventional farming methods that include the use of hoes are slowly being revolutionized by tractors, which enable farmers to work with precision, maximize productivity, and enhance tilling procedures that promote soil nutrient retention.
For small farmers, an average tractor within the 35-55Hp range, complete with tilling, planting, weeding, spraying, harvesting implements, and light transport trailers, is ideal.
Modern farmers, including smallholders, are joining cooperatives to facilitate access to some of the agricultural machinery.
Removal of caps on commercial banks' lending rates will create a short-term 'double-edged sword' effect, subject to the technique in disseminating the information to the target market.
However, in the long-term, commercial banks will have more appetite to lend funds towards the acquisition of farm machinery.
Efficient farming applications will be key, and access to affordable machinery will be crucial in the future.
Modern farming techniques must be aligned to digital technology, and investing in the right machinery complete with digital technology is an exciting phenomenon to the current generation.
Guarantee of calculated returns on investment appeals to the newer generation of farmers.
