A presentation at the WCCA 2011 event in Brisbane.

1. DEVELOPING AND ADAPTING MECHANIZED
CONSERVATION ADAPTING MECHANIZED CONSERVATION
DEVELOPING AND AGRICULTURE MACHINERY FOR
SMALLHOLDER SYSTEMS SMALLHOLDER SYSTEMS OF
AGRICULTURE MACHINERY FOR OF SOUTHERN AFRICA
SOUTHERN AFRICA
LEWIS T MATABA
GROWNET INVESTMENTS, HARARE
LEWIS T MATABA
GROWNET INVESTMENTS, HARARE
Email: matabalt@yahoo.com

2. INTRODUCTION
• In Southern Africa CA has
generally been promoted
based on hoe basin type.
• Development agencies
have targeted vulnerable
communities to use this
technology.
• These communities are
poor, face severe labour
constraints, with some
especially targeted as
victims of HIV/AIDS
pandemic.

3. GROWNET INTRODUCES MECHANIZED CA
 Reduces labour
 Plant on a big area
 Plant in time for better yields
Spill-over effects to neighbours who can hire this equipment

4. LOCAL PRODUCTION OF CA EQUIPMENT
• A few imported jab planters and direct seeders from
Brazil
• available but expensive and with limited spares.
• In 2009 GROWNET Investments partnered with NGO’s
and national extension services (AGRITEX)
• to design and manufacture
—direct seeders (based on Brazilian Fiterreli),
—ripper tines, and
—jab planters
• The 1st GROWNET started equipment tested in 2010
cropping season both in Zimbabwe and Zambia.

9. EQUIPMENT ADAPTATIONS
• The role of GROWNET has been to develop, modify and evaluate
animal traction CA equipment in conjunction with research
institutions and agricultural extension services.

11. FARMERS’ FEEDBACK SESSIONS

12. MODIFICATIONS ON THE DIRECT SEEDER

13. Modification based on observations from all
stakeholders led to the design of the new seeder with
inclined seed plate, which is more appropriate to local
farmers.

14. CHALLENGES IN CA EQUIPMENT
DEVELOPMENT
• Limited access to financing equipment research &
development
—CIMMYT and FAO has been supportive of this process
• Low product uptake due to limited awareness
• So far dealing with referred and scattered communities
—With high costs
• There seem to be limited enthusiasm within the CA
community to promote the mechanized equipment
—There is potential costs saving in buying local CA equipment

15. WAY FORWARD
• GROWNET Investments continues to have interest in
supporting the development of mechanised CA equipment
based on recommendations from end users.
• GROWNET Investments will actively participate in initiatives
that facilitate linkages between farmers, financiers and agro
dealers.
• GROWNET Investments appreciate the potential in business
growth through enhanced mechanized CA adoption.
• GROWNET Investments will take lessons learnt from the
Congress to improve the adoption of mechanized CA
equipment in Southern Africa.

16. • I THANK YOU
I THANK
YOU