Adoption of Mechanized Raised Bed Technology for Sustainable Farming System in Sharkia and Assiut Governorates

Abstract

This report outlines the results of studying two surveyed samples in Assiut and Sharkia governorates in Egypt, each comprising 80 farmers. To identify and compare the various impacts of using raised bed machine (RBM) on wheat production, each sample included 40 adopters and 40 non-adopter farmers. Half of the adopters and non-adopters in Assiut's sample are females, while all of the farmers in Sharkia's sample are males. The report covers sample characterization in terms of defining rural household livelihood with a focus on natural assets (source of irrigation water) and livestock assets. It also analyzes farmers’ perceptions on RBM, motivations of adopters and obstacles facing non-adopters. Main findings indicate that net revenue per ton of wheat and revenue per water unit realized by adopters of MRB farming in Assiut and Sharkia are higher than those realized by non-adopters. All of the adopters in Assiut and most of the adopters in Sharkia believe that using RBM saves water, reduces crop losses and cost, saves time & effort, and improves yield. Main findings of focus group discussions reveal that the cost of renting the machine from cooperatives is lower than the cost of renting from private sector; however, the number of machines in coops is not sufficient to meet farmers' demand during the planting season. Such results implicate that promoting the adoption of raised bed farming requires formulating a set of policies to activate the role of agricultural extension in providing farmers with information about MRB and associated benefits, in addition to providing a sufficient number of raised bed machines at agricultural cooperatives to encourage farmers to use the machine.