Role of technology in small farmers' productivity in Africa

Abstract

This study attempts to give an overview of technologies and techniques which already are in use and could be put to widespread use on small farms in Africa . It also endeavors to indicate how these could play a role in improving the productivity of small farmers. emphasis is placed on simple, or so-called "Intermediate" technologies,and also in technologies which can be produced ingenuously or with the least possible amount of foreign inputs .The sustainability ,maintainability and ease of operation of the technologies was always kept in mind when choosing examples. The study also attempts to show that significant gains in productivity are possible by using largely indigenous technologies and technical which require no or only minimal outside inputs.the use of such technologies is to be seen as the first necessary step towards higher productivity, which would then enable a farmer to invest in more sophisticated but adapted technologies if required.