Mechanized Agriculture

Agriculture

Mechanization in countries like Canada has dramatically reshaped the agricultural landscape since the time of early settlement. However, in some parts of the world, agriculture is still highly labor intensive. Mechanization has had a major impact on the demand and supply for farm labor; the profitability of farming; and the change in the rural landscape, including rural communities.

Mechanization is a crucial input for agricultural crop production and one that historically has been neglected in the context of developing countries. Factors that reduce the availability of farm power compromise the ability to cultivate sufficient land and have long been recognized as a source of poverty, especially in sub-Saharan Africa. Increasing the power supply to agriculture means that more tasks can be completed at the right time and greater areas can be farmed to produce greater quantities of crops while conserving natural resources. Applying new technologies that are environmentally friendly enables farmers to produce crops more efficiently by using less power.

U7I has worked closely with our partners and local farmers in Ontario to increase efficiency while ensuring reduction of drudgery as this is a key element of sustainable mechanization.

Sustainable mechanization can:

• • increase land productivity by facilitating timeliness and quality of cultivation;

• • support opportunities that relieve the burden of labour shortages and enable households to withstand shocks better;

• • decrease the environmental footprint of agriculture when combined with adequate conservation agriculture practices; and

• • reduce poverty and achieve food security while improving people’s livelihoods.

For further details, please contact us to discuss your needs and solutions.