Constraints to Agricultural Mechanisation Among Smallholder Farmers in Niger State

This study investigates the constraints to agricultural mechanisation adoption among smallholder farmers in Niger State, North Central Nigeria. Mechanisation of land preparation, planting, and harvesting operations can dramatically reduce drudgery, timeliness of operations, and post-harvest losses while improving farm profitability. Niger State has significant mechanisation potential, with flat terrain suitable for tractor-based operations and several government tractor hire service schemes. Despite these conditions, mechanisation rates among smallholders remain low. This study uses a survey design, collecting data from 210 smallholder farmers in Minna, Suleja, and Lavun local government areas. Mechanisation constraints are assessed using a structured ranking instrument covering financial, institutional, technical, and agro-ecological dimensions. Regression analysis identifies farmer characteristics associated with mechanisation adoption. Findings reveal that high tractor hire costs, fragmented landholdings, inadequate rural road access for machine mobility, and seasonal mechanic availability are the most frequently cited mechanisation barriers. Farmers with larger farm sizes and cooperative membership show significantly higher mechanisation adoption rates. The study concludes that mechanisation constraints in Niger State are primarily economic and infrastructural. It recommends subsidised tractor hire service expansion, cooperative-based mechanisation sharing schemes, and rural road investment as priority interventions for smallholder mechanisation promotion.

Keywords: agricultural mechanisation, constraints, smallholder farmers, Niger State, tractor hire.