Thumbnail Image

Use of information and communications technology tools for tractor hire services in Africa

Opportunities and challenges

Year of publication 2020

Place of publication Rome, Italy ;

Pages 28 p.

Author Anidi, O. ; Mayienga, S.M. ; Mpagalile, J.

Publisher FAO ;

Product type Book (series)

Series title Integrated Crop Management

Series number No. 25

Edition 1

Synopsis (short abstract) This publication discusses the role information and communications technology (ICT) plays in agricultural mechanization, which has the potential to transform and improve smallholder agriculture in sub-Saharan Africa. Although mechanization levels tend to be low in African countries, there is still evidence of demand for mechanization services from smallholder farmers, especially tractor hire services. Where such demand exists, tractor owners have formed private hiring markets to provide the required services. The main challenge is related to high transaction costs – incurred by farmers due to information distortion concerning the availability of tractor hire services and how to access them, and by tractor owners due to the difficulties locating farmers in need of their services and aggregating demand over distant, scattered, smallholder farm plots. The use of ICT tools in tractor hire services may help solve some of these challenges. In recent years, many start-ups and companies have begun applying an ICT approach with the creation of a smart tractor network accessible via Short Message Services (SMS) or mobile phone applications, either directly or indirectly. This paper seeks to identify the benefits and challenges of such approaches by examining three ICT-based models in different African countries (Hello Tractor in Nigeria, Tinga Rentals Store in Kenya and TROTRO Tractor in Ghana).

Cite this content as:

​Anidi, O., Mayienga, S.M. and Mpagalile, J. 2020. Use of information and communications technology tools for tractor hire services in Africa - Opportunities and challenges. Integrated Crop Management No. 25. Rome, FAO.


Language English

Also available in:
No results found.

Related items

Showing items related by metadata.

  • Thumbnail Image
    Book (stand-alone)
    Success stories on information and communication technologies for agriculture and rural development
    Second edition
    2017
    Also available in:
    FAO has been promoting the use of ICTs in agriculture and has focused on ICT innovation for improving agricultural production and enhancing value chains. This publication is an effort to share success stories on the use of ICTs for agriculture and rural development. It showcases a few case studies where innovative use of emerging technologies together with capacity development has brought about rich dividends.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Document
    Information and Communication Technologies at the Service of the Rural Poor of Latin America and the Caribbean
    Programmes and Projects
    2005
    Also available in:
    No results found.
    This study reviews recent experience applying ICTs in the fight against rural poverty and identifies ways in which donor interventions can make effective use of ICTs to improve the living conditions of rural communities in Latin America and the Caribbean and help reduce poverty.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Book (series)
    Les technologies de l'information et de la communication au service des communautés de pêche - SFLP/PMED
    Politique de soutien aux communications améliorées en faveur du développement
    2007
    Also available in:
    Cette note de syntèse a pour but de: Montrer comment les nouvelles technologies de l'information et de la communication (TIC) peuvent s'associer aux méthodes établies pour renforcer les possibilités du développement Examinier les utilisations et l'impact potentiel des technologies de d'information et de la communication existantes et émergentes dans les pêches et les communautés de pêche; Proposer des stratégies en matière de politique et des partenariats pour favoriser l'accès aux technol ogies de l'information et de la communication et leur emploi dans la gestion des pêches et dans le soutien des moyens d'existence et la réduction de la pauvreté.
Show more

Users also downloaded

Showing related downloaded files

No results found.