By Tolit Ivan
Dozens of Tractor operators in Nwoya District specializing in mechanized land preparation are reaping big from the trade.
Mechanized land preparation refers to the use of machinery to prepare land for planting crops.
This involves various operations like plowing, harrowing, and leveling, utilizing tractors, plows, harrows, and other farm implements.
It aims at improving soil quality, enhancing water and air circulation, controlling weeds and pests, and creating a favorable environment for crop growth.
According to a report by the Nwoya District Agricultural Department, the district has over 500 tractor operators providing services to the smallholder farmers to enhance their production in a move to boost their household income.
The report further revealed that 80% of 220,000 people of Nwoya district have embraced mechanized land preparation techniques through tractor usage.
Due to the growing population and demand for mechanized field opening and ploughing, the tractor operators in the district are in the limelight for their services.
The locals prefer the use of tractor for field opening and ploughing compared to the local methods of farming as of its cost effective and fast compared to other methods.
Samuel Rubangakene, a tractor operator based in Purongo Town Council, Nwoya District, said mechanized land preparation is a feasible business in the district due to its high demand.
Rubangakene said at times they are overwhelmed due to the high demand which suppressed the available tractors in the district.
According to Rubangakene, before joining the trade, his family were barely surviving but after joining the venture, the standard of living for his family has change.
Rubangakene currently earns UGX 2 million on a daily basis during the farming season in land opening.
He said despite the business being viable, at times they are faced with numerous challenges when the tractor breakdown due to the lack of spare parts and mechanical engineers to fix the tractors.
Rubangakene also attributed the influx in the number of Kenyan tractors that are flooding the business and ploughing at cheaper rates between UGX 700,000-80,000 compared to UGX 100,000 price set by the locals as one of the stumbling block in the business.
Another tractor operator, Agenorwot Lydia, a resident of Lapono Village, Pabala Parish, Anaka Sub County, Nwoya District, said mechanized land preparation business restored hope in her life.
According to Agenorwot, before joining the trade in 2023, her family were struggling to make ends meet due to difficulties accessing basic needs.
Agenorwot said during the farming season, they earn between UGX 2-3million from mechanized land preparation on a daily basis.
She said mechanized land preparation is a lucrative business due to its high demand urging people to join the venture.
Agenorwot however, stressed that they faced challenges in getting original spare parts when the tractors break down despite buying it very expensively saying it’s something affecting the business.
Tabu Justin, the Senior Agricultural Engineer Nwoya District, said mechanized land preparation has gained momentum in the district in the last 10 years due to its potential for increased efficiency, reduced labour, and improved crop yields.
According to Tabu, in the past most farmers were relying on rudimentary farming tools such as hand hoes, oxen and ox plough to mechanize their garden which was not reliable.
Tabu echoed that with the embracement of mechanized agriculture and land preparation by the locals in the district, the crop production and yields has seen a positive light.
‘’ You know; our land is actually so big that we cannot fully cultivate it. We cannot do well with hand hoe and even oxen, ox plough. The land needs to be ploughed using tractors for the farmers to realized positive return from agriculture” said Tabu.
He however, said the biggest challenge the tractor operators are facing is mechanical breakdown and lack of experts in case of a mechanical problem since many of the tractor parts are imported from outside the country.
Tabu urged companies dealing in tractors and its accessories to set up their shops and warehouse in the district.
Mbabazi Joan, the Director of Shalom Ventures, a Company dealing in Tractor spare parts in Nwoya District, said the adoption of mechanized land preparations techniques by smallholder farmers has boosted the business.
According to Mbabazi, with the shift from traditional farming methods to mechanized agriculture, the sale of tractor spare parts in the region has skyrocketed.
Mbabazi advised the farmers in the region to embrace mechanized farming in order to earn big from agriculture since it is cost effective, efficient and reduced the labor force.
The Ugandan government is promoting agricultural mechanization, including mechanized land preparation to increase efficiency, productivity, and ultimately improving on farmer’s incomes.
The shift is driven by the need to modernize agriculture, address labor shortages, and mitigate the effects of climate change.
The shift also aims to replace traditional methods like ox-ploughs, particularly in rural areas, and increase land usage, production, and overall efficiency.
This story was produced with support from InfoNile in partnership with Palladium under Climate Smart Jobs”
