Three Year Small
Holder Mechanization
Study in Maize
STUDY CONTACT:
Benard Ngwene, AGCO Agronomist, Africa. Benard.ngwene@agcocorp.com;
Sheila Zulu, Agronomist and Trainer, AGCO Future Farm, Zambia. sheila2.zulu@agcocorp.com
OBJECTIVE:
The
objective of this study was to highlight the advantage of mechanized planting
and fertilization in maize production for small holder farming in sub Saharan
Africa.
STUDY
DESIGN:
Maize
yield was compared in a plot that was planted and fertilized manually to a
similar plot planted and fertilized using the AGCO mechanization solution. Each
treatment was allocated on one plot measuring 0.5 to 1 hectare. The treatments
tested were either mechanized operations by using tractor MF4708 (82hp), 2 tine
ripper, 2 row planter with fertilizer hopper, or manual operations with hand
held equipment and manual fertilizer application.
RESULTS:
Overall
grain yield was lower than average due to very low precipitation in this region
during the three cropping seasons (2016 – 2018). Overall, there was a 60%
increase in yield in the mechanized field (2.7 t/ha) over the manually planted
and fertilized field (1.7 t/ ha). Consistency in planting depth, accurate
spacing and fertilizer application translated in achieving desired plant
population of 45,000 plants per hectare, out of 50,000 seeds planted thereby
resulting in higher yield.
AGCO RESEARCH SUMMARY | 01
Figure 1: Average yields obtained for 2016, 2017 and 2018 farming season
Figure 2: Plant stand in the mechanised plot showing better emergence and consistence growth.
Figure 3: Plant stand in the manual plot showing low plant population resulting from inconsistency in spacing, planting depth and variation in germination.
Figure 4: Maize planted and fertilized manually. Plants are poorly distributed within row.
Figure 5: Maize planted and fertilized using the MF 2 row planter. Plants are more evenly distributed within row.
ADDITIONAL OBSERVATIONS:
Manual planting resulted in poor plant distribution and less effective use of soil resources and light, as compared to mechanized planting where plants where more evenly distributed in the field and consequently better use of resources.
Moisture conservation was enhanced in the ripped ridges where planting was done
Figure 6: Smallholder mechanized planting and fertilizer application |
RECOMMENDATIONS & EQUIPMENT SOLUTIONS:
AGCO mechanisation service solution comprising of a Massey Ferguson tractor 82HP, 2-tine ripper and 2-row planter with a fertilizer hopper offers a practical solution to increase maize yields and cultivation area for Small and Emerging farmers. Ripping ensures adequate moisture collection which is conserved for plant growth, and a deeper rooting zone for the crop. The planter assures the correct planting depth, accurate seed rate and correct fertilizer placement. The service brings affordable mechanization to the service of even the very small scale farmers farming on just 1 Ha. The project was partly jointly conducted with industry partners namely; Syngenta – Promoting chemical weed control, SeedCo – Promoting correct plant population for optimal yields, Yara Fertilizers – Demonstrating the benefits of timely application of fertilizers, BayWa – Demonstrating soil improvement by intercropping maize with legumes
PAYBACK
The smallholder mechanization study showed that an average yield increase of 1t/ha can be achieved by implementing mechanization. This equates to a total increased revenue of $40/ha. Additionally, farmers can prepare and plant more hectares of land within the planting window which is getting narrower every year.
Assumptions: Cost of mechanization service (ripping + planting) – $100 ($50 + $50). Average price of maize – $140/t
AGCO
RESEARCH SUMMARY | 02
