Supporting research on farm mechanization

Description

Supporting research on farm mechanization involves systematically advancing the development, adaptation, and dissemination of agricultural machinery and technologies. This strategy aims to increase farm productivity, reduce labor intensity, and address inefficiencies in traditional farming methods. By fostering innovation and field-testing equipment suited to local conditions, it remedies constraints such as low yields, high labor costs, and limited scalability, ultimately enabling more sustainable, efficient, and profitable agricultural practices for diverse farming communities.

Implementation

This strategy features in the framework of Agenda 21 as formulated at UNCED (Rio de Janeiro, 1992), now coordinated by the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development and implemented through national and local authorities. Agenda 21 recommends supporting research on mechanization that would optimize human labour and animal power and on hand-held and animal-drawn equipment that could easily be operated and maintained. The development of farm technology should take into account farmers' available resources, the role of animals in farming households, and ecological considerations.