Mechanization services in rural communities
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This publication is about the provision of mechanization services in rural communities and their benefits and limitations for enhancing the resilience of smallholder farmers and creating job opportunities. It is based on the results of a project implemented in Rakhine state (Myanmar) as response of Cyclone Komen and associated flooding in 2015 and drought in 2016. The project increased the availability of two-wheel tractors and water pumps in the rural communities and provided technical support. The direct beneficiaries of small farm machinery were existing farmer groups in the targeted villages committed to provide mechanization services in the long term to other farmers. The timely performance of land preparation with two-wheel tractors translates into increased resilience as farmers have a better capacity to cope with the erratic weather, labour shortages and respond to hazards. Community members including young people were trained as tractor operators, generating additional income and creating jobs. The provision of irrigation services during the dry season supported the cultivation of legumes and vegetables. Recommendations for future interventions include: the promotion of small farm machinery targeting youths, women, landless people and casual labourer as mechanization operators and/or service providers; to include a more equal number of women and men in the farmer groups as mechanization service providers; to continue building the technical capacity of national and local institutions on sustainable agricultural mechanization; to strengthen agri-business capacity of farmer groups providing mechanization services; to facilitate access to micro-finance by smallholder farmers to overcome the high investment of small machinery.