EMPIRICAL-EVIDENCE OF MECHANIZATION EFFECTS ON SMALLHOLDER CROP PRODUCTION SYSTEMS IN BOTSWANA

Draught animal power (DAP) is well established as the traditional farm ing technology of smallholder farmers in Botswana. However, in recent years, the use of tractor farm technology is increasingly becoming imp ortant among smallholder farmers in spite of the on-going debate on th e desirability of mechanizing smallholder crop production systems. Usi ng 1991 and 1992 farm management survey data on 127 randomly selected small-holder farmers from seven villages, this paper provides a compar ative economic analysis for DAP and tractor fanning systems. Specifica lly, attention is devoted to the impact and implications of 'tractoriz ation' on total crop output, crop income, cropping emphasis and resour ces utilization. The survey evidence refutes any economic justificatio n for the current use of tractors in the area by the smallholding farm ers. In fact, the results Show that the use of tractors has a signific ant negative impact on crop production income and household labour eco nomy.