This document discusses the development of the conservation agriculture (CA) equipment industry for smallholder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa. It begins by outlining CA mechanization options and then compares the development of the CA industry in Brazil, East Africa, and Southern Africa. The CA industry is still in its infancy in sub-Saharan Africa compared to 50 years of evolution in Brazil. The document concludes by providing guidelines for further developing the CA industry in sub-Saharan Africa, such as conducting market studies, technical training, and governments creating an enabling environment.

1. Development of the CA
equipment industry for
smallholder farmers in SSA
Brian Sims, Christian Thierfelder,
Josef Kienzle, Theodor Friedrich
and Amir Kassam

2. Contents
• Tillage in SSA
• CA mechanization options
• Development of the CA equipment industry
– Brazil
– East Africa
– Southern Africa
• Contrast between Brazil and SSA
• Guidelines for development of the industry
• Conclusions

3. Smallholder farm tillage in SSA
•Hand tools 80%
•DAP <20%
•Tractor <10%

4. Farmers’ perceived advantages
of soil tillage
• Weed control
• Mobilization of nutrients
• Smooth seed bed
• Elimination of compaction
• Incorporation of amendments
• Control of pests and diseases
• Control of runoff and accumulation of
water

5. BUT: damage caused by hoes and
ploughs soon becomes evident
• SOM is oxidized
• Physical, chemical and biological
degradation of the soil
– Hard pans
– Crusting
– Erosion
• Yields decline leading to abandonment
and hunger

6. CA is an answer. BUT there are
widely discussed problems:
•Maintenance of organic soil cover
•Crop ‒ livestock competition
•Weed control
•Pest control
There is, however, little information
on the problems of developing a
viable CA machinery manufacturing
sector

7. Contents
• Tillage in SSA
• CA mechanization options
• Development of the CA equipment industry
– Brazil
– East Africa
– Southern Africa
• Contrast between Brazil and SSA
• Guidelines for development of the industry
• Conclusions

8. CA mechanization options for
smallholder farmers in SSA
1. Removal of
hardpans and
increasing water
infiltration

9. CA mechanization options for
smallholder farmers in SSA
2. Direct planting

10. CA mechanization options for
smallholder farmers in SSA
3. Weed control
• Mechanical: surface
scraping, hand
pulling, knife rolling
• Biological: mulch,
cover crops, rotations
and associations
• Herbicides: sprayers
and applicators

11. Contents
• Tillage in SSA
• CA mechanization options
• Development of the CA equipment industry
– Brazil
– East Africa
– Southern Africa
• Contrast between Brazil and SSA
• Guidelines for development of the industry
• Conclusions

12. Development of the CA machinery industry
1. Brazil, 50 years of evolution
Commercial Physical
manufacturers SWC
PIONEER works
FARMERS
Private sector
input suppliers R&D
NT farmers Centres
associations

13. Development of the CA machinery industry
2. East Africa, in its infancy
• Uganda (AEATRI)
• Kenya & Tanzania
(training in S America
with FAO)
• Nandra and
Intermech

14. Training East Africans in S.
America
Antunes Agropastoril, Bella Fitarelli, Aratiba, Brazil
Vista, Paraguay
Guarany, Itu
, Brazil

15. Intermech and Nandra are now
market leaders
• Nandra, Moshi
• Intermech, Morogoro

16. Ndume, Kenya has now entered
the market
• Ndume, Gilgil

17. Development of the CA machinery industry
3. Southern Africa (i), just awakening
• 1980s RTZ (later Hastt) in Zimbabwe
• 1990s GTZ/BMZ contill
project, Zimbabwe
• 1990s CFU and GART, Zambia.
(Chaka hoe, Magoye ripper, Palabana
subsoiler and planter)
• 2010 GART planter

18. Development of the CA machinery industry
3. Southern Africa (ii), moving forward
2000s: innovation networks (manufacturers,
researchers, farmers) create new products and
new approaches
Grownet inclined plate AFGRI service provider
planter, Zimbabwe ripper, Zambia

19. Development of the CA machinery industry
3. Southern Africa (iii), South Africa and
Namibia
1. Sprayer, Dragon Engng (SA)
2. 2. Piket DAP planter (SA)
3. Baufi 2-row ripper (Namibia)

20. Contents
• Tillage in SSA
• CA mechanization options
• Development of the CA equipment industry
– Brazil
– East Africa
– Southern Africa
• Contrast between Brazil and SSA
• Guidelines for development of the industry
• Conclusions

21. Contrasts between S America and SSA
• Development and financing. Public
sector support
• Materials supply
• Appreciation of critical part design
• Creation of demand
• Training
• Interactions (innovation networks)
• Policy environment

22. Contents
• Tillage in SSA
• CA mechanization options
• Development of the CA equipment industry
– Brazil
– East Africa
– Southern Africa
• Contrast between Brazil and SSA
• Guidelines for development of the industry
• Conclusions

23. Guidelines for development of the CA
industry in SSA
• Market studies
• Thorough field testing
• Technical training for manufacturers,
operators, dealers, extensionists
• Support for hire service providers
• Active promotion
• CA farmers’ groups

24. Contents
• Tillage in SSA
• CA mechanization options
• Development of the CA equipment industry
– Brazil
– East Africa
– Southern Africa
• Contrast between Brazil and SSA
• Guidelines for development of the industry
• Conclusions

25. Conclusions
• SSA CA equipment manufacturing
industry is in its infancy and needs
nurturing
• Need local adaptation. Import is OK in
the short term
• National governments must address
the creation of an enabling
environment. Signs are encouraging

26. Thank you!
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