Agricultural Production Systems and Agricultural Mechanization

Agricultural Production Systems and Agricultural Mechanization Is the premier interdisciplinary forum for the presentation of new advances and research results in the fields of Agricultural Production Systems and Agricultural Mechanization? The conference will bring together leading academic scientists, researchers and scholars in the domain of interest from around the world.

CONTENT

Mechanization and Agricultural Development

• Introduction
• The context: global comparison of the levels of agricultural mechanization
• Stagnation and decline in the level of agricultural mechanization in Africa
• Renewed interest in agricultural mechanization in Africa
• Action by the African Union
• Methodology of the study
• Validation Workshop

Evolution of Agricultural Mechanization in Africa

• Agricultural mechanization during the colonial period
• Agricultural mechanization after independence: 1960–1985
• Agricultural mechanization after independence: 1985–2010
• Agricultural mechanization after independence: from 2010
• Lessons from past experience on agricultural mechanization in Africa

Key issues and constraints to sustainable agricultural mechanization in Africa

• Farm power as the key input in agricultural mechanization
• Hand-tool technology and human muscle power
• Draft animal power and technologies
• Mechanical Power
• Agricultural implements and sustainability
• Importance of commercial farmers for the sustainability of mechanization
• Types of crops
• Mechanization across the value chain
• Machinery utilization rates and timeliness of field operations
• Franchises and supply chains for agricultural machinery and implements
• Manufacturing of agricultural machinery and associated services
• Sustainability issues: environmental, commercial and socio-economic

TRAINING METHODOLOGY

The training methodology combines lectures, discussions, group exercises and illustrations. Participants will gain both theoretical and practical knowledge of the topics. The emphasis is on the practical application of the topics and as a result participant will go back to the workplace with both the ability and the confidence to apply the techniques learned to their duties.