Abstract:
Globally, tractors are key tools in any farm mechanization system that aims to increase the area under cultivation. However, failed mechanization in many developing countries has subjected many smallholder farmers to the use of crude implements. Until now, in many areas within the country, farmers do acquire tractors by means of hiring from either personal owners or from company dealers. The study investigated the effectiveness and challenges facing tractor hiring business in tractor utilization by smallholder farmers in Nduruma Ward, Arusha Tanzania. Descriptive survey research design was used. Mixed method approach was employed,100 smallholder farmers were involved in the study. Primary data were collected in Nduruma Ward using questionnaires, and pilot study was done to five villages alongside Nduruma ward. Village Executive Officers as key informants, experienced smallholder farmers whose have been involved in farming for more than 10 years were put into discussions so as to collect information related to tractor hiring business by means of Focus Group Discussions (FGDs). In data analysis, the study used Excel application and SPSS to analyze quantitative data as descriptive statistics were presented in frequency and percentage.
Among the challenges noted include; the high cost of maintenance and spare parts, rising of fuel prices, low qualified tractor operators; all giving room to frequent tractor breakdowns. Besides inability of smallholder farmers to pay high price of tractor hiring, low skilled and not much responsible tractor operators; all these, lead to frequent tractor breakdown during field operations exacerbating the challenges facing smallholder farmers. The study concludes with measures geared to lessen the impact of challenges to tractor hiring business. Referring to National Agricultural Policy, 2013 that; the use of modern farm machinery is hindered by high costs of agricultural machinery and implements and low purchasing power of most farmers.
