Agrobots and agricultural mechanization - Challenges of the adoption of new agricultural technologies in developing countries

1. Agrobots and
Agricultural Mechanization
FIRA
International Forum of Agricultural Robotics
Santiago Santos Valle, Agricultural Engineer, FAO
11th December, 2018 - Toulouse
Challenges of the adoption
of new agricultural technologies in
developing countries

2. Agrobots and Agricultural Mechanization in developing countries
FIRA - International Forum of Agricultural Robotics
FAO and Sustainable Mechanization
Dedicated organization of the United Nations created in
1945 to defeat hunger in the world.
194 member states Presence in 130 countries
Mechanization is currently part of the Plant Production and Protection Division (department)
The mechanization group supports FAO initiatives related with agricultural equipment and the sustainable
intensification of agricultural production.
Core areas of work:
- Develop national and regional strategies in support of sustainable mechanization with governments and
institutions.
- Identify appropriate business models for the development of hire services models
- Ensure the quality and adequacy of agricultural equipment in FAÓs interventions
- Facilitate South – South Cooperation to increase know-how and technology exchange

3. Agrobots and Agricultural Mechanization in developing countries
FIRA - International Forum of Agricultural Robotics
What is part of Sustainable Mechanization?
It encompasses all levels of production technologies, including:
- Simple hand tools
- Use of draught animals
- Motorized equipment
• Stationary engine-powered (i.e. pumps)
• Single axle tractors or tractor/trailer combinations
• Harvesting and crop management equipment
• 4 Wheel tractors
- Solar, wind and water powered equipment and machinery
- Autonomous equipment (drones, robots and bots)
It has the potential to create employment along the value chain and improve the
livelihood of the rural poor
COMIN
G
SOON!

4. Agrobots and Agricultural Mechanization in developing countries
FIRA - International Forum of Agricultural Robotics
Agricultural MechanizationValue Chain

5. Agrobots and Agricultural Mechanization in developing countries
FIRA - International Forum of Agricultural Robotics
Commercial vs Smallholder
• Subsistance driven
• Low capital investment
• Small land ownership/management
• Difficulties to finance
• No social cover schemes
• Poor knowledge and training
• Profit driven
• High capital investment
• Large land ownership/management
• Access to finance
• Has social cover schemes
• Usually has knowledge and training

6. Agrobots and Agricultural Mechanization in developing countries
FIRA - International Forum of Agricultural Robotics
Why mechanize developing countries?
How many People can a Farmer Feed?
3
6
50
After Legg 1993

7. Agrobots and Agricultural Mechanization in developing countries
FIRA - International Forum of Agricultural Robotics
Why mechanize developing countries?
United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (16 SDGs)
• Improve livelihoods
• Food soveraignity and adequate nutrition
• Rural – urban migration
• Create qualified employment and new business
• Close the technological gap
• Sustainable production intensification
• Sustainable resouce management

8. Agrobots and Agricultural Mechanization in developing countries
FIRA - International Forum of Agricultural Robotics
The Problem
• Can profitability of agricultural production be increased in a sutainable
manner through mechanization?
• Can agricultural mechanization be sustainable?
• How do we create more jobs and build adequate capacity in the
agricultural sector?
• How can we improve rural livelihoods?
• How can we achieve it protecting the environment?
• How can developing countries close the technology gap?

9. Agrobots and Agricultural Mechanization in developing countries
FIRA - International Forum of Agricultural Robotics
Mechanization and technification myths
• Creates rural unemployment
• Leads to monoculture and industrial farming
• It is only for large-scale farmers
• It is only about large manufacturing companies
• It is only about the public sector
• It does not protect natural resources and is not climate-smart
Diversification and multiple farming possibilities
New job types, mitigates effects of migration
Technological solutions for all sort of farms and crops
Local workshops, sales representations, etc.
Private sector initiative brings innovation, public provides enabling
environment
Efficiency, new energies, sustainable practices

10. Agrobots and Agricultural Mechanization in developing countries
FIRA - International Forum of Agricultural Robotics
Mechanization and technification myths
• Examples of myth busters:
Direct seeding
(photo J. Kienzle, FAO)
Axial Flow Pump
(photo CIMMYT)

11. Agrobots and Agricultural Mechanization in developing countries
FIRA - International Forum of Agricultural Robotics
Agriculture 4.0
Smart
Farm
Big Data
Robotics
Could IoT
Sensing
Techn.
GPSTech
Autom.
Machines

12. Smart
Farm
Big Data
Robotics
Could IoT
Sensing
Techn.
GPSTech
Autom.
Machines
Agrobots and Agricultural Mechanization in developing countries
FIRA - International Forum of Agricultural Robotics
Agriculture in developing countries
Small
Farm
No Data
Hand or
animal
power
Analogic
or
mechanic
tech
No access
to
sensoring
Farmeŕs
experience
Manual
work

13. Agrobots and Agricultural Mechanization in developing countries
FIRA - International Forum of Agricultural Robotics
Agriculture 4.0
The new agriculture is characterized by:
• Data collection and management
• Specialized equipment = specialized manpower
• Resource efficient
• New business models
• Dependent on reliable ICTs infrastructure
• Needs adequate technical support and service
It is easier to supply technology, than it is
to set a system to make it sustainable

14. Agrobots and Agricultural Mechanization in developing countries
FIRA - International Forum of Agricultural Robotics
Mechanization and robotization vision
Paradigm shift
Machinery Agronomy
Magnitude Multitude
Complexity Simplicity
Capital intensive Capital sharing
Dependency Autonomy
Repetition Automation Credit:AGCO

15. Agrobots and Agricultural Mechanization in developing countries
FIRA - International Forum of Agricultural Robotics
Agrobots in developing countries
• Adoption neglegible
• Capacity building should be the first step
• Infrastructure requirements can be a burden
• May contribute to labour shortages
• Technology costs are lowering
• Combination with other technologies (3D printing i.e.) could help to solve
logistical issues
• Main contribution will be sustainable crop intensification
• Service provision can be the entry point for the technology

16. Agrobots and Agricultural Mechanization in developing countries
FIRA - International Forum of Agricultural Robotics
Challenges

17. Agrobots and Agricultural Mechanization in developing countries
FIRA - International Forum of Agricultural Robotics
Challenges (3G signal example)
France: 675,417 km² Zambia: 752,614 km²
Source: http://maps.mobileworldlive.com

18. Agrobots and Agricultural Mechanization in developing countries
FIRA - International Forum of Agricultural Robotics
Lessons learnt
• Public only or private only led initiatives do not succeed in time
• There is no general solution to increase production with mechanization
• Inadequate equipment and practices can damage severely natural resources
• Without capacity, technology is not adopted
• Technology adoption happens when it has an economic advantage
• Currently social and environmental concerns can favor adoption of particular
technologies

19. Agrobots and Agricultural Mechanization in developing countries
FIRA - International Forum of Agricultural Robotics
Opportunities for small scale farmers
• Increase efficiency of agricultural production
• Create new job opportunities in rural areas for qualified manpower
• Close the technological gap with developed countries
• Reduce drudgery of agricultural work
• Enable new business and research ideas adapted to the context
• Strengthen the use of ICT technologies, renewable energy and monitoring
devices

20. Agrobots and Agricultural Mechanization in developing countries
FIRA - International Forum of Agricultural Robotics
The way forward
Sustainable Mechanization Strategies
• Creating effective linkages between each group of stakeholders and
defining roles
• Addressing issues which affect the profitability of these groups
• Identifying the basic conditions that national governments can
provide to create an enabling environment
Overall aim: Create a sustainable sector which allows
innovation and job creation

21. SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURAL MECHANIZATION
STRATEGY
Agrobots and Agricultural Mechanization in developing countries
FIRA - International Forum of Agricultural Robotics
Strategy formulation process (I)
• Country-specific factors
• It involves a wide range of stakeholders and all should be involved
A PARTICIPATORY approach is a must
INDUSTRY
FARMERS
MINISTRY OF
AGRICULTURE
POLICY MAKERS
EXTENSION
SERVICES
UNIVERSITY
RETAILERS
SERVICE PROVIDERS
OTHER MINISTRIES
NGOS

22. Agrobots and Agricultural Mechanization in developing countries
FIRA - International Forum of Agricultural Robotics
Strategy formulation process (II)
Enabling Enviroment
The outcome of a successful implementation of a SAM Strategy is the
creation of the adequate conditions for the development of
the sector.
• Increases natural resources and inputs use efficiency
• Allows the development of agri-food chains
• Creates new jobs for youth both in and urban rural areas
• Adopts and makes use of ICTs and new technological solutions
• Promotes social inclusion of vulnerable people (women, youth, etc.)

23. Agrobots and Agricultural Mechanization in developing countries
FIRA - International Forum of Agricultural Robotics
Where do we want to be?

24. Agrobots and Agricultural Mechanization in developing countries
FIRA - International Forum of Agricultural Robotics
Thank you very much for your attention
Merci beaucoup
www.fao.org/sustainable-agricultural-mechanization