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lack of mechanization has seriously limited the produc ivity and competitiveness of ricebased systems in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). At present, more than 99% of all tasks on SSA rice farms are undertaken using human or animal power. Workforce shortages at critical times have meant that crops are rarely planted or harvested on

time. Postharvest losses are far too high and grain quality is often compromised during storage, handling, and processing. However, all the countries of this region have large graveyards of old rusting farm equipment, purchased or imported with the best of intentions, but now a legacy of "inappropriate mechanization." From mechanization to stagnation "The reasons for equipment failure are many but the basis of the problem is the same,"says Joseph Rickman, IRRI scientist and regional coordinator for East and Southern Africa. "Too great an emphasis was placed on importing a machine to do a specific task rather than understanding the

machine's total capability, the local political and business environment, and the farming system in which the machine was to operate." Governments and other agencies often subsidized the purchase of equipment or distributed it free to communities with little follow-up support. Farmers, skilled in working with animals or using a hoe, but with no previous mechanical experience, were asked to operate machines. "They were given very limited or no training, had little product backup or support, and often worked in tough isolated environments where spare parts and basic maintenance inputs were not available," Mr. Rickman explains. IRRI, AfricaRice, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA),

Jump-starting Africa stalled farm machine

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Jump-starting Africas stalled farm machines and the Coalition for AfricaRice Development (CARD) have combined their efforts to help countries tackle many of these needs. A team approach to sustainable mechanization Experience from Asia and some parts of Africa has shown that farm equipment can be introduced in a sustainable way, based on sound business principles and planning. "Many different players need to be involved, each contributing where they have a comparative advantage," Mr. Rickman says. "Governments, training institutes, international organizations, NGOs, financial institutes, and the private sector all have a role to play." The government's primary role is in the importation and testing of new equipment, as well as developing taxation and importation policies that are supportive to equipment importers, dealerships, and local manufacturers who also need to import raw materials and components. Vocation al training institutes need support to develop curriculum and provide training for operators, mechanics, and artisans both technically and in basic business planning. Extension officers and NGOs need training to support and extend mechanized agriculture. Credit institutes need encouragement to structure loans to suit farmers and contract service suppliers. "Most importantly, champions of rice mechanization need to be found, linked to all of the players and supported by the government, to drive the process," Mr. Rickman says. "These champions can come from any one of the different groups." Making mechanization work IRRI, JICA, and AfricaRice in association with national governments have imported many different types of equipment for testing in a wide range of environments. "Two-wheel tractors fitted with trailers and pumps, mechanical and pedal threshers, mechanical weeders, laser-controlled leveling systems, and bund builders are all being tested and, in some instances, now manufactured in SSA," Mr. Rickman says. Through CARD, JICA, and IRRI, governments in SSA are be ing helped to develop policies that will support importers and local manufacturers. South-South collaboration between Africa and Asia is also being supported so that African countries can gain exposure to other rice-growing countries where smal-scale mechanization is now seen as normal. Networks are also being developed among policymakers, manufacturers, dealerships, and end users from SSA and other parts of the world, especially with Asia. "Sustainable mechanization needs all of the players in a country involved and committed," Mr. Rickman says. "IRRI, JICA, CARD, and AfricaRice are well placed to encourage and also help drive the process so that the history associated with 'machinery graveyards' does not repeat itself."

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gricultural mechanization has been responsible for massively increasing production, productivity, and profitability. It is also an important factor that improves the lives of small farmers. However, previous attempts at introducing machines to African farmers were not always successful. IRRI, AfricaRice, and their partners are now turning to holistic programs that ensure sustainable, affordable mechanization suitable to the scale of operations and skills of the small farmers of Africa.

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