MOTORIZED SOIL TILLAGE IN WEST-AFRICA

A survey on the current use and consequences of tillage done with engine-driven machinery

Gert van der Meijden

Food and Agriculture Organization

of the United Nations

FAO Regional Office for Africa

Accra, Ghana

and

Agricultural Engineering Branch,

Agricultural Support Systems Division,

FAO, Rome, Italy

May 1998
Note: The views expressed in this paper do not necessarily reflect the official views of FAO or its Member Countries

Table of contents

1. Introduction

1.1 General

1.2 Terminology in mechanisation

1.3 Methodology of study

2. Status of mechanization and motorization

2.1 General

2.2 Primary tillage

2.3 Secondary Tillage

2.4 Weeding

2.5 Destumping and clearing of fields

2.6 Crops

3. Perceived benefits of motorized traction

4. Perceived problem areas in motorized soil tillage

4.1 Degradation of soil resources

4.2 Low level of mechanization

4.3 Extent of problems

5. Mechanization and tillage on a national level

6. One specific implement: the disc harrow

7. Conclusions and recommendations

References

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