Factors Determining Continuous Tractor Use in Benin Republic

Abstract

This study investigated the factors determining continuous tractor use in Benin. A multi stage sampling procedure was used to select tractor users in the country. A total of 203 households using agricultural machinery were surveyed through interviews and using a structured questionnaire. The information concerned socioeconomic characteristics, the equipment used and agricultural production. The logit model was used for data analysis. About 75% of tractor owners use it for service delivery, while 71.4% of them possess their own land. Continuous use of tractor is significantly influenced by the number of hours for one hectare tilled, the total area tilled per year as well as the tractor age. Moreover, the tractor brands available in the country also influenced tractor use. The hierarchized failures were hydraulic lifting pump (16.4%), fuel filter (14.6%), clutch disc failure (9.9%), breakage of plough (8.8%) and injection pump (7.6%). The future of agricultural equipment use can now be anticipated and take action to deal with any tractor use difficulties for sustainable agricultural extension in Benin. Keywords: Farm machinery, adoption, failure, Benin Republic.