A farmer harvesting rice in a vibrant African rice field, highlighting local agriculture and cultural heritage.
They produce more than 50% of the total. Smallholder farmers usually only have access to machinery for some of their tasks: field preparation and harvesting. They have to do everything else manually, like planting and applying fertiliser and chemicals. Doing these tasks manually can reduce yields, which means the farmers make less money from their farms. A team of agricultural engineers wanted to know if using machinery for rice production could help small farmers economically and promote sustainable farming methods. To encourage smallholder farmers’ adoption and proper use of machinery, the study recommended that agricultural mechanisation extension agents should be introduced in farming communities. These agents can provide guidance, training and technical assistance.