Prospects of Mechanization (II)

Agricultural science SSS1 Third Term

Week 5                                 

Prospects of Mechanization

Performance objectives.

Students should be able to:

1. Explain the reasons why agriculture has not been fully mechanized in West Africa.
2. List possible ways of improving agriculture through mechanization

Content.    

REASONS WHY AGRICULTURE HAS NOT BEEN FULLY MECHANIZED IN WEST AFRICA

• Small farm holding or land fragmentation or land tenure system does not permit mechanization.
• The farming systems currently practised do not encourage mechanization.
• There are no access roads for machines.
• It is costly or expensive to hire machines, and most farmers are poor.
• High running costs for machinery discourages mechanization.
• Heavy tree stumps left after land clearing hinder the use of machinery.
• Machines or implements are expensive to purchase.
• …