Thumbnail Image

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

Opportunities and challenges

Copyright licence

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)

Category Technical study

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
    Brochure, flyer, fact-sheet
    Brochure
    Adoption of farm inputs, mechanization, irrigation and gender gaps in sub-Saharan Africa: insights from the Rural Livelihoods Information System (RuLIS)
    RuLIS brief
    2021
    Also available in:
    No results found.
    RuLIS is a tool to support policies for reducing rural poverty, jointly developed by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Statistics Division, the World Bank and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). RuLIS brings together harmonized indicators and comparable data across countries and over time on rural incomes, livelihoods and rural development. Using the RuLIS data, this brief focuses on the observations made in the adoption of agricultural inputs, along with improved technology such as irrigation, and mechanised tools among crop farm households in sub-Saharan Africa.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Document
    Other 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)
    Policy brief
    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

  • Thumbnail Image
    Booklet
    Corporate general interest
    Emissions due to agriculture
    Global, regional and country trends 2000–2018
    2021
    Also available in:
    No results found.
    The FAOSTAT emissions database is composed of several data domains covering the categories of the IPCC Agriculture, Forestry and Other Land Use (AFOLU) sector of the national GHG inventory. Energy use in agriculture is additionally included as relevant to emissions from agriculture as an economic production sector under the ISIC A statistical classification, though recognizing that, in terms of IPCC, they are instead part of the Energy sector of the national GHG inventory. FAO emissions estimates are available over the period 1961–2018 for agriculture production processes from crop and livestock activities. Land use emissions and removals are generally available only for the period 1990–2019. This analytical brief focuses on overall trends over the period 2000–2018.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Brochure, flyer, fact-sheet
    Brochure
    Sustainable food systems: Concept and framework 2018
    Also available in:
    No results found.
    The brief will be uploaded in the Sustainable Food Value Chain Knowledge Platform website http://www.fao.org/sustainable-food-value-chains/home/en/ and it will be distributed internally through ES Updates, the Sustainable Food Value Chain Technical Network and upcoming Sustainable Food Value Chain trainings in Suriname, Namibia, HQ and Egypt.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Booklet
    High-profile
    FAO Strategy on Climate Change 2022–2031 2022
    Also available in:
    The FAO Strategy on Climate Change 2022–2031 was endorsed by FAO Council in June 2022. This new strategy replaces the previous strategy from 2017 to better FAO's climate action with the Strategic Framework 2022-2031, and other FAO strategies that have been developed since then. The Strategy was elaborated following an inclusive process of consultation with FAO Members, FAO staff from headquarters and decentralized offices, as well as external partners. It articulates FAO's vision for agrifood systems by 2050, around three main pillars of action: at global and regional level, at country level, and at local level. The Strategy also encourages key guiding principles for action, such as science and innovation, inclusiveness, partnerships, and access to finance.
Show more