Improving Access to Mechanization in Sub-Saharan Africa.

A major impediment to increased agricultural productivity in sub-Saharan Africa is a lack of access to mechanization and low industrialization levels with few providers of appropriate technology. For-hire operators can help bring technology to farmers who cannot afford equipment purchases, but these operators must have availability of high quality and easily fixable machines and tools. In this presentation, the Soybean Innovation Lab will discuss efforts in mechanization and promotion of local fabrication being made by several organizations in Africa. We will include an overview of the capability of local artisans/blacksmiths to be active participants in an African Mechanization Revolution.