Farming equipment businesses in Zambia

Farming equipment businesses support the large agricultural industry in Zambia by supplying machinery and implements, including tractors and ancillary equipment (plough, disc harrows etc.), irrigation systems, tools and more. Small scale farmers in Zambia need hand tools, walking tractors and hand-powered pumps. Commercial farmers need combine harvesters and centre pivot sprinkler systems.

With an extensive range of farming equipment and tools available on Infobwana, it is easy to browse Zambian companies that include these in their product range.

Traditional versus mechanised farming methods

In Zambia, most farmers use traditional methods, resulting in lower yields and income, but more sustainability. In order to create an ample output from their labour, some have invested in modern agricultural equipment. Their goals are to:

• increase the production
• lower production costs
• improve the quality of farm produce
• increase the yield per farm worker
• avoid the exhausting labour associated with manual farming methods
• avoid labour peaks

Types of agricultural equipment

• Tractors
• Harvesters
• Ploughs
• Harrows
• Fertiliser spreaders
• Seeders
• Balers
• Trailers and wagons
• Hand tools - hoes, rakes, shovels

Agricultural fencing

Also known as livestock fencing, this is a type of fencing used to keep animals such as cattle, goats, pigs and horses in or out of a particular area.

Importance of agricultural fencing

• Protection of livestock - By allowing animals to roam freely, farmers increase the risk of predators and thefts
• Easier to herd and manage the health of animals
• Keeps animals confined to a specific area – for security, control and grazing management
• Milking, feeding etc. are more efficiently carried out

Irrigation equipment

Zambia experiences good rains from November to March; but crops grown the rest of the year need irrigating. Various types of irrigation equipment are available to cover the entire spectrum of irrigation needs, ranging from simple sprinklers to large centre pivot systems.

Specific Irrigation equipment used in Zambia

• Garden hoses
• Watering cans
• Sprinkler heads
• Centre pivot systems
• Drip lines and drip emitters
• Pumps
• Pipes

The challenge for smallholders in Zambia

The lack of modern agricultural equipment for small scale farmers greatly affect crop yields in Zambia, and Africa at large. Almost all smallholder farmers here depend on hand hoeing and human muscle power to prepare land, plant, cultivate and harvest. They spend many weeks undertaking physical farming activities that could be done in a matter of days by mechanical means.

To help farmers modernise their practices, produce more food and support economic transformation, farmers in Zambia are encouraged to adopt labour enhancing technologies based on appropriate mechanisation. Sadly, the majority of smallholder farmers cannot afford to invest in such agricultural machinery.

The good news is that some farming equipment businesses have come to the rescue by offering more affordable equipment together with financing options.