Promoting the spread of agricultural mechanisation in Ethiopia

Context

In Ethiopia, the agricultural industry provides livelihoods for around 80 per cent of the population and contributes 40 per cent to the total economic output. However, agriculture faces challenges such as limited access to high-quality mechanisation services and outdated technology, resulting in low productivity and income level. Especially, smallholder farmers encounter difficulties accessing mechanisation services. With approximately 400 mechanisation service providers, demand surpasses supply. Existing machinery often fails to align with the country’s agricultural conditions.

Objective

Smallholders' access to efficient mechanisation services and technologies have improved in Ethiopia, resulting in increased productivity and income-levels in rural areas.

Approach

In addressing challenges within agricultural mechanisation, the project adopts a multifaceted approach, focusing on the following key strategies:

• Enhancing skills and awareness: Demonstrating the advantages of modern agricultural machinery to smallholders, improving the technical and management skills of mechanisation service providers, and distributing technical knowledge resources such as a buyers’ guide for agricultural machinery and equipment to enable informed investment.
• Supporting institutional development: Assisting institutions that offer training on agricultural machinery operation and maintenance, and facilitating exchange platforms among public, private and civil society actors in mechanisation, both nationally and internationally.
• Improving policy and regulatory frameworks: Supporting the government of Ethiopia in establishing legal and institutional frameworks to promote quality mechanisation services to smallholders. The project also advises policymakers in decision making related to agricultural mechanisation.
• Promoting innovation: Implementing strategies to find innovative mechanisation ideas and technologies that can improve agricultural productivity, while reducing the challenges which smallholders usually face.

Last update: May 2025