The world’s smallholder farmers will have to bear the brunt of the need to increase food production for a growing world population. At the same time, the rural population is expected to decline substantially in the coming decades. The only...
The article looks at the potential hire services have as a viable business option in the agri-food sector. It provides insights into the numerous market opportunities that a hire service can tap into, not only for on-farm services, but also...
The report begins with a review of the different treadle pumps currently in use in Africa and the information available on their technical performance, with a view to trying to answer the question – Which is the best treadle pump?...
Draught animals have played a key role over many centuries in providing farm power for agricultural operations. Since the 1990s, the use of draught animals has declined appreciably in Asia and the Pacific region. In India, the number of draught...
The publication of this report will help move the discussions on agricultural mechanization from being on the banks to the mainstream of the debate on agricultural development in sub-Saharan Africa. Now is the “Time for a New Look” at agricultural...
The objective of the meeting was to propose, identify and discuss strategies and good practices for maximizing the benefits and sustainability of investments in market-oriented infrastructure in order to provide a stimulus for agricultural and rural development. Investment in infrastructure...
The publication forms part of FAO’s effort to assist its member countries, FAO emergency staff and humanitarian partners to improve emergency preparedness and response effectiveness. The aim of Part I of these Guidelines is to enable Field Officers to clearly...
The case studies allow an assessment of the impact achieved together with observations concerning their relative success. In this way, the document complements two others in this series, the first studies the supply chains for agricultural equipment and the second...
This Occasional Paper examines the role of agricultural mechanization in the agricultural and economic development of sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). The paper argues that in the light of global changes and challenges the time is ripe to reconsider the potential of...
This paper is specifically about agricultural mechanisation: the opportunities provided by mechanisation for intensifying production in a sustainable manner, in value addition and agri-food value chain development, as well as the inherent opportunities implied for improved local economies and livelihoods....