Socio-economic determinants of agricultural mechanisation in Africa: A research note based on cassava cultivation mechanisation

- The societal acceptance of agricultural mechanisation in Africa is discussed.
- The mechanisation of cassava is discussed as a contextual example of this problem.
- Socio-economic determinants of low acceptance are highlighted.
- Recommendations for further research and improvements are made.

While global agricultural mechanisation is on the increase, societal resistance has left its adoption stagnant in developing countries. Optimizing the successful adoption of mechanized processes in these countries involves amongst other things, identification of salient problems and adequate planning to prevent them. This note highlights some possible causes of perceived societal resistance to mechanized farming in light of the limited progress in the mechanisation of one of Africa's leading crops, cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz). Potential approaches to improving the development and adoption of mechanisation for this crop and region as well as the research gaps preventing adoption success forms the discussions in this note.