Agricultural mechanization for small farmers, a case study in Cunco, IX Region of Chile

Abstract

A project offering mechanization services to small farmers has been in progress since 1992 in the district of Cunco, located in the foothills of the Andes in the IX Region of Chile. This project is administered by an non-governmental organization and is financed through international cooperation. A technical evaluation of the first three operational years of the project was conducted through an analysis of available records. An analysis of machinery operation records showed an average annual tractor use of 552.1 hours. According to the information, the tractor with the greatest versatility and performance was the 72 HP tractor. Of the total of 8,125.6 hours of tractor use, 81.48% corresponded to productive work and 18,51% to unproductive hours, such as mobilization and initial motor warm-up. It was also noted that the farmers preferred to pay for the mechanical services in cash, which is most likely due to the type of credit offered, requiring a guarantor, which resulted in the recuperation of an average of 99.1% of the debts, during the three seasons.