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Restating the case for modernising smallholder farming Restating the case for modernising smallholder farming
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It is widely known that smallholder farmers in developing countries use too few modern inputs and technologies, which often results in low yields and poor quality crops. The USAid Feed the Future, Partnering for Innovation programme explores how technologies can dramatically improve productivity, income, and food supply. We work to move the latest agricultural technologies from labs to markets to farms.It is widely known that smallholder farmers in developing countries use too few modern inputs and technologies, which often results in low yields and poor quality crops. The USAid Feed the Future, Partnering for Innovation programme explores how technologies can dramatically improve productivity, income, and food supply. We work to move the latest agricultural technologies from labs to markets to farms.
There's a myth that labour is abundant and cheap, but the constraining factor for agriculture growth and profitability is labour availability and efficiency. Mechanised technology appropriate for smaller fields is available. One example is the light weight motorised cultivator but mechanisation doesn't work if fuel or repair services aren't available. If you're entering a market where these services aren't publically available or provided by another company, equipment companies need to figure out how to connect farmers to the complementary resources they need to use the equipment well.There's a myth that labour is abundant and cheap, but the constraining factor for agriculture growth and profitability is labour availability and efficiency. Mechanised technology appropriate for smaller fields is available. One example is the light weight motorised cultivator but mechanisation doesn't work if fuel or repair services aren't available. If you're entering a market where these services aren't publically available or provided by another company, equipment companies need to figure out how to connect farmers to the complementary resources they need to use the equipment well.
If farmers have the choice to use a mechanised tool and they have training in use of the equipment, they'll choose that because it makes their jobs easier and increases their incomes. For example, broadcasting seed (when seeds are scattered over soil) is inefficient because you do not get proper plant spacing which results in lower than optimal yields. Using a machine is a huge boost. The International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre has developed a low-till seeder, ideal because soil scientists advocate not breaking the structure of the soil at the top as a way to improve water retention and reduce erosion. These seeders are also hand held making them suitable for use in smaller fields. There are prototypes in use in south Asia.If farmers have the choice to use a mechanised tool and they have training in use of the equipment, they'll choose that because it makes their jobs easier and increases their incomes. For example, broadcasting seed (when seeds are scattered over soil) is inefficient because you do not get proper plant spacing which results in lower than optimal yields. Using a machine is a huge boost. The International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre has developed a low-till seeder, ideal because soil scientists advocate not breaking the structure of the soil at the top as a way to improve water retention and reduce erosion. These seeders are also hand held making them suitable for use in smaller fields. There are prototypes in use in south Asia.
Post-harvest mechanisation can also make a major impact in product quantity and quality. In Nepal, the traditional way to process rice is to use the same cows that plow the field – they thresh rice by walking over the stalks. It's highly inefficient and causes an estimated 30-50% crop loss. There are small businesses that provide a mobile threshing service, reducing post-harvest losses to less than 20%.Post-harvest mechanisation can also make a major impact in product quantity and quality. In Nepal, the traditional way to process rice is to use the same cows that plow the field – they thresh rice by walking over the stalks. It's highly inefficient and causes an estimated 30-50% crop loss. There are small businesses that provide a mobile threshing service, reducing post-harvest losses to less than 20%.
We need to increase access to this kind of mechanisation. With any of this technology, it's up to the development and commercial community to demonstrate that a technology has an economic advantage over current practice. If we can make that argument and convince farmers to try it, farmers will see the benefit.We need to increase access to this kind of mechanisation. With any of this technology, it's up to the development and commercial community to demonstrate that a technology has an economic advantage over current practice. If we can make that argument and convince farmers to try it, farmers will see the benefit.
Despite the gains, agriculture technology is a challenging market, particularly for people who are new to it. There's a lot of technology, mechanised and non-mechanised, that still hasn't targeted the smallholder market. Farmers aren't 'one size fits all'. There is a diverse market for agricultural technology, and we can help companies figure out how to work with smallholders that produce commodities, use different resources, and have different adoption rates. These marketing strategies are how we connect smallholder farmers to useful technology for improved productivity, greater food security, and better incomes.Despite the gains, agriculture technology is a challenging market, particularly for people who are new to it. There's a lot of technology, mechanised and non-mechanised, that still hasn't targeted the smallholder market. Farmers aren't 'one size fits all'. There is a diverse market for agricultural technology, and we can help companies figure out how to work with smallholders that produce commodities, use different resources, and have different adoption rates. These marketing strategies are how we connect smallholder farmers to useful technology for improved productivity, greater food security, and better incomes.
Bob Rabatsky is program director for Feed the Future Partnering for Innovation, implemented by Fintrac Inc. He's writing here in his own capacity and tweets as @FTF_PIBob Rabatsky is program director for Feed the Future Partnering for Innovation, implemented by Fintrac Inc. He's writing here in his own capacity and tweets as @FTF_PI
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