Constraints to agricultural mechanization in Ethiopia: The case of solar irrigation pumps

Ringler, Claudia; Arega, Tiruwork; Hailu, Tesfaye; and Tesfahunegn, Hannibal B. 2024. Constraints to agricultural mechanization in Ethiopia: The case of solar irrigation pumps. IFPRI Policy Note November 2024. Washington, DC: International Food Policy Research Institute. https://hdl.handle.net/10568/163234

Agriculture and food production in Ethiopia are dominated by smallholder farmers and characterized by a low input-low output system. Mechanization of agriculture—in particular, the widespread adoption of tractors for land preparation and motorized pumps for irrigation—is considered by many to be the key to breaking this low-productivity system. Agricultural mechanization can improve the livelihoods of smallholders by reducing drudgery and postharvest losses and by increasing the efficiency of farm operations. However, mechanization rates have increased only slowly in Sub-Saharan Africa.