Of all the modern agricultural technologies introduced in developing countries, mechanization has probably proved the most controversial. Mechanization has been blamed for exacerbating rural unemployment and contributing to other social ills.

In the 1960s, '70s and early '80s, large numbers of tractors were supplied as gifts from donors or on advantageous loan terms to developing countries. Projects designed to provide tractor services through government agencies produced a miserable track record. These public sector tractor-hire schemes collapsed because of the distorted cost of capital as compared to labour and draft animals, chronic mismanagement and the intrinsic inefficiencies of any government-run machinery service. Who can forget the photographs of tractor "graveyards" in Africa?

But developing countries still need labour-saving technology. The demand will rise naturally with a growing population's demand for food, particularly in industrializing countries where rural labour is becoming scarce. Concerns about rural unemployment and other social problems will no longer be issues if earlier mistakes are not repeated. What will be important will be to encourage sustainable private sector development that will offer farmers the right choice of technology at the right price to increase agricultural productivity, provide food security and reduce post-harvest losses.