Family Farm Mechanization Program (FFMP)

Introduction

Family Farm Mechanization Program (FFMP) primary objective is to transform small farms that utilize rudimentary tools and equipment's leading to subsistence agriculture into productive, mechanized farms and innovative production systems. That increases production, generates a better income for rural families, improves the quality of life, and shifts from subsistence farming to more market-oriented agriculture, making the agricultural sector more attractive to rural youth.

Opportunity in FFMP

The use of rudimentary tools and equipment still contributes about 65 percent of the power for land preparation in Sub-Saharan Africa. A typical family farm  that is reliant solely on human power can only cultivate up to 1.5 ha per year (FAO 2019). If more mechanization investment is made, this will rise to 4 ha with the adoption of some mechanization  and over 8 ha with the adoption of FFMP.

To achieve this milestone, FFMP aims to increase knowledge exchange on agricultural machinery and sustainable practices by fostering partnerships with public and private sector institutions that promote innovation and build on existing agricultural technology.

We have designed FFMP to give farmers the guidelines to choose the most suitable machine for their operation depending on the work and who is performing it. These guidelines ensure that equipment used or required for programs and projects meets quality standards and is appropriate for the type of intervention through an effective and efficient process. (Knowledge from a report by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) on a similar project in Sub-Saharan Africa).

FFMP Sustainable Mechanization is a critical input in any farming system. It aims to achieve the following:

• Ensure planting is completed within the planting window.
• Conservation agriculture - Better soil preparation and planting.
• Increased production.
• Reduced production losses.
• Increased productivity per unit area due to improved timeliness and quality of farm operations.
• An expansion of the area under cultivation where land is available, as it often is in Sub-Saharan Africa.
• Accomplishment of tasks that are difficult to perform without mechanical aids.
• Reduce poverty and achieve food security while improving people's livelihoods.
• Support opportunities that relieve the burden of labor shortages and enable households to withstand shocks better.
• Decrease the environmental footprint through conservation agriculture and other regenerative agricultural practices.
• Improvement of the quality of work and products.
• A reduction of drudgery in farming activities, thereby making farm work more attractive. (Joint FAO and World Bank report on Sustainable Farm mechanization in Sub Saharan Africa).

The Program Modules

• The first module -Contemplates mechanization on uniting the small farms and combining a total area between 2 to 6 hectares of cultivated area.
• The second module - Contemplates mechanization on uniting the small farms and combining a total area between 7 to 15 hectares of cultivated area.
• The third module - Contemplates mechanization on uniting the small farms and combining a total area between 16 to 30 hectares of cultivated area.

“Yes, Smallholder Farmers can be mechanized.”

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