Challenges and Opportunities of Tractor Adoption by Smallholder Farmers in Gambella Region, Ethiopia

Chuol Bor; Kher Deng

doi:doi:10.11648/j.ijmea.20241205.12

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Challenges and Opportunities of Tractor Adoption by Smallholder Farmers in Gambella Region, Ethiopia

Chuol Bor^*

, Kher Deng

Published in International Journal of Mechanical Engineering and Applications (Volume 12, Issue 5)

Received: 2 November 2024 Accepted: 15 November 2024 Published: 29 November 2024

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Abstract

Tractor adoption by smallholder farmers in the Gambella region is essential for increasing agricultural productivity, improving food security, and promoting sustainable livelihoods. The sampling methods employed included purposive sampling to select kebelles and a lottery method for sample respondents. Primary data were collected through surveys, questionnaires, in-depth interviews, focus groups, and field observations, while secondary data were obtained from government statistics, academic publications, non-governmental organization reports, market information, and historical records. Data analysis utilized descriptive statistics, such as frequencies and percentages. Regarding opportunities for tractor adoption, the study found that 9% of smallholder farmers used tractors to improve soil health, 20% to reduce labor costs, and 16% to enhance market access, 7% to reduce post-harvest losses, and 48% to increase productivity. Conversely, the study identified major constraints, with 27% citing high initial investment, 40% noting lack of credit access, 18% reporting limited technical expertise, and 15% indicating inadequate infrastructure as barriers to tractor adoption. To maximize adoption opportunities, government agencies and private companies should offer financial incentives and loans to support farmers’ tractor investments. Additionally, to address these adoption challenges, government, local, and non-governmental organizations should provide subsidies, low-interest loans, and technical training programs to enable smallholder farmers to purchase or rent tractors, thus enhancing access to mechanized services and improving agricultural productivity and efficiency.

Published in	International Journal of Mechanical Engineering and Applications (Volume 12, Issue 5)
DOI	10.11648/j.ijmea.20241205.12
Page(s)	129-135
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Challenges, Opportunities, Tractor, Smallholder Farmers, Gambella Region

References

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APA Style

Bor, C., Deng, K. (2024). Challenges and Opportunities of Tractor Adoption by Smallholder Farmers in Gambella Region, Ethiopia. International Journal of Mechanical Engineering and Applications, 12(5), 129-135. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijmea.20241205.12

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ACS Style

Bor, C.; Deng, K. Challenges and Opportunities of Tractor Adoption by Smallholder Farmers in Gambella Region, Ethiopia. Int. J. Mech. Eng. Appl. 2024, 12(5), 129-135. doi: 10.11648/j.ijmea.20241205.12

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AMA Style

Bor C, Deng K. Challenges and Opportunities of Tractor Adoption by Smallholder Farmers in Gambella Region, Ethiopia. Int J Mech Eng Appl. 2024;12(5):129-135. doi: 10.11648/j.ijmea.20241205.12

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@article{10.11648/j.ijmea.20241205.12,
  author = {Chuol Bor and Kher Deng},
  title = {Challenges and Opportunities of Tractor Adoption by Smallholder Farmers in Gambella Region, Ethiopia
},
  journal = {International Journal of Mechanical Engineering and Applications},
  volume = {12},
  number = {5},
  pages = {129-135},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijmea.20241205.12},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijmea.20241205.12},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijmea.20241205.12},
  abstract = {Tractor adoption by smallholder farmers in the Gambella region is essential for increasing agricultural productivity, improving food security, and promoting sustainable livelihoods. The sampling methods employed included purposive sampling to select kebelles and a lottery method for sample respondents. Primary data were collected through surveys, questionnaires, in-depth interviews, focus groups, and field observations, while secondary data were obtained from government statistics, academic publications, non-governmental organization reports, market information, and historical records. Data analysis utilized descriptive statistics, such as frequencies and percentages. Regarding opportunities for tractor adoption, the study found that 9% of smallholder farmers used tractors to improve soil health, 20% to reduce labor costs, and 16% to enhance market access, 7% to reduce post-harvest losses, and 48% to increase productivity. Conversely, the study identified major constraints, with 27% citing high initial investment, 40% noting lack of credit access, 18% reporting limited technical expertise, and 15% indicating inadequate infrastructure as barriers to tractor adoption. To maximize adoption opportunities, government agencies and private companies should offer financial incentives and loans to support farmers’ tractor investments. Additionally, to address these adoption challenges, government, local, and non-governmental organizations should provide subsidies, low-interest loans, and technical training programs to enable smallholder farmers to purchase or rent tractors, thus enhancing access to mechanized services and improving agricultural productivity and efficiency.
},
 year = {2024}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Challenges and Opportunities of Tractor Adoption by Smallholder Farmers in Gambella Region, Ethiopia

AU  - Chuol Bor
AU  - Kher Deng
Y1  - 2024/11/29
PY  - 2024
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijmea.20241205.12
DO  - 10.11648/j.ijmea.20241205.12
T2  - International Journal of Mechanical Engineering and Applications
JF  - International Journal of Mechanical Engineering and Applications
JO  - International Journal of Mechanical Engineering and Applications
SP  - 129
EP  - 135
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2330-0248
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijmea.20241205.12
AB  - Tractor adoption by smallholder farmers in the Gambella region is essential for increasing agricultural productivity, improving food security, and promoting sustainable livelihoods. The sampling methods employed included purposive sampling to select kebelles and a lottery method for sample respondents. Primary data were collected through surveys, questionnaires, in-depth interviews, focus groups, and field observations, while secondary data were obtained from government statistics, academic publications, non-governmental organization reports, market information, and historical records. Data analysis utilized descriptive statistics, such as frequencies and percentages. Regarding opportunities for tractor adoption, the study found that 9% of smallholder farmers used tractors to improve soil health, 20% to reduce labor costs, and 16% to enhance market access, 7% to reduce post-harvest losses, and 48% to increase productivity. Conversely, the study identified major constraints, with 27% citing high initial investment, 40% noting lack of credit access, 18% reporting limited technical expertise, and 15% indicating inadequate infrastructure as barriers to tractor adoption. To maximize adoption opportunities, government agencies and private companies should offer financial incentives and loans to support farmers’ tractor investments. Additionally, to address these adoption challenges, government, local, and non-governmental organizations should provide subsidies, low-interest loans, and technical training programs to enable smallholder farmers to purchase or rent tractors, thus enhancing access to mechanized services and improving agricultural productivity and efficiency.

VL  - 12
IS  - 5
ER  -

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Author Information

Chuol Bor

Department of Rural Development and Agricultural Extension, Gambella University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Contact Email

http://orcid.org/0000-0003-1645-0551
Kher Deng

Department of Rural Development and Agricultural Extension, Gambella University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Contact Email

http://orcid.org/0009-0002-9431-1960

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APA Style

Bor, C., Deng, K. (2024). Challenges and Opportunities of Tractor Adoption by Smallholder Farmers in Gambella Region, Ethiopia. International Journal of Mechanical Engineering and Applications, 12(5), 129-135. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijmea.20241205.12

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ACS Style

Bor, C.; Deng, K. Challenges and Opportunities of Tractor Adoption by Smallholder Farmers in Gambella Region, Ethiopia. Int. J. Mech. Eng. Appl. 2024, 12(5), 129-135. doi: 10.11648/j.ijmea.20241205.12

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AMA Style

Bor C, Deng K. Challenges and Opportunities of Tractor Adoption by Smallholder Farmers in Gambella Region, Ethiopia. Int J Mech Eng Appl. 2024;12(5):129-135. doi: 10.11648/j.ijmea.20241205.12

Copy | Download

@article{10.11648/j.ijmea.20241205.12,
  author = {Chuol Bor and Kher Deng},
  title = {Challenges and Opportunities of Tractor Adoption by Smallholder Farmers in Gambella Region, Ethiopia
},
  journal = {International Journal of Mechanical Engineering and Applications},
  volume = {12},
  number = {5},
  pages = {129-135},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijmea.20241205.12},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijmea.20241205.12},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijmea.20241205.12},
  abstract = {Tractor adoption by smallholder farmers in the Gambella region is essential for increasing agricultural productivity, improving food security, and promoting sustainable livelihoods. The sampling methods employed included purposive sampling to select kebelles and a lottery method for sample respondents. Primary data were collected through surveys, questionnaires, in-depth interviews, focus groups, and field observations, while secondary data were obtained from government statistics, academic publications, non-governmental organization reports, market information, and historical records. Data analysis utilized descriptive statistics, such as frequencies and percentages. Regarding opportunities for tractor adoption, the study found that 9% of smallholder farmers used tractors to improve soil health, 20% to reduce labor costs, and 16% to enhance market access, 7% to reduce post-harvest losses, and 48% to increase productivity. Conversely, the study identified major constraints, with 27% citing high initial investment, 40% noting lack of credit access, 18% reporting limited technical expertise, and 15% indicating inadequate infrastructure as barriers to tractor adoption. To maximize adoption opportunities, government agencies and private companies should offer financial incentives and loans to support farmers’ tractor investments. Additionally, to address these adoption challenges, government, local, and non-governmental organizations should provide subsidies, low-interest loans, and technical training programs to enable smallholder farmers to purchase or rent tractors, thus enhancing access to mechanized services and improving agricultural productivity and efficiency.
},
 year = {2024}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - Challenges and Opportunities of Tractor Adoption by Smallholder Farmers in Gambella Region, Ethiopia

AU  - Chuol Bor
AU  - Kher Deng
Y1  - 2024/11/29
PY  - 2024
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijmea.20241205.12
DO  - 10.11648/j.ijmea.20241205.12
T2  - International Journal of Mechanical Engineering and Applications
JF  - International Journal of Mechanical Engineering and Applications
JO  - International Journal of Mechanical Engineering and Applications
SP  - 129
EP  - 135
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2330-0248
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijmea.20241205.12
AB  - Tractor adoption by smallholder farmers in the Gambella region is essential for increasing agricultural productivity, improving food security, and promoting sustainable livelihoods. The sampling methods employed included purposive sampling to select kebelles and a lottery method for sample respondents. Primary data were collected through surveys, questionnaires, in-depth interviews, focus groups, and field observations, while secondary data were obtained from government statistics, academic publications, non-governmental organization reports, market information, and historical records. Data analysis utilized descriptive statistics, such as frequencies and percentages. Regarding opportunities for tractor adoption, the study found that 9% of smallholder farmers used tractors to improve soil health, 20% to reduce labor costs, and 16% to enhance market access, 7% to reduce post-harvest losses, and 48% to increase productivity. Conversely, the study identified major constraints, with 27% citing high initial investment, 40% noting lack of credit access, 18% reporting limited technical expertise, and 15% indicating inadequate infrastructure as barriers to tractor adoption. To maximize adoption opportunities, government agencies and private companies should offer financial incentives and loans to support farmers’ tractor investments. Additionally, to address these adoption challenges, government, local, and non-governmental organizations should provide subsidies, low-interest loans, and technical training programs to enable smallholder farmers to purchase or rent tractors, thus enhancing access to mechanized services and improving agricultural productivity and efficiency.

VL  - 12
IS  - 5
ER  -

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