The Economics of Mechanical Cultivation Of Rice Lands in Sierra Leone
Date
1971
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Publisher
University of Ghana
Abstract
Rice production in Sierra Leone has not been sufficient to meet domestic demand despite intensive efforts by the National Government to increase production through the operation of a Mechanical Cultivation Scheme. The success of mechanization in many other countries at least suggests that some factors are operating in them which, up to this time, have not been exploited in Sierra Leone. The purpose of this investigation is to carefully study the Scheme and attempt to develop ways in which use of mechanical power can contribute more fully to increasing rice production and lowering the unit costs of production. An in-depth analysis of the Mechanization Scheme at Torma Bum in 1970 has been the focus of this study. Field work for collecting the data relevant to the study was conducted during September 1969 to July 1970, inclusive. The study has had four objectives: (1) to identify and interpret the interrelationships of the farming systems in the Torma Bum area; (2) to identify important factors favoring or hindering the expansion of the Mechanization Scheme; (3) to determine feasible ways of reducing unit costs so as to make the operations more efficient and economical; (4) to develop generalizations which can serve as the basis for planning and organization of mechanical cultivation elsewhere in the country. On the basis of the analysis of the data, there was conclusive evidence in support of the general hypothesis that THE ECONOMICS OF MECHANICAL CULTIVATION OF RICE LANDS IN SIERRA LEONE University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh "cultivation costs per acre in the Torma Bum Scheme can be substantially reduced." A least-cost-approach to budgeting analysis was used in testing this hypothesis. The basis of the analysis rests upon the concepts of fixed, variable, and energy costs.
Costs associated with operating 33 tractors on 35 plowing sites were determined. The plowing cost per acre was calculated to be Le 14.13 based on 7,362 acres plowed during the 1970 season
Harrowing and seed harrowing were done to the extent of 5,416.5 and 4,140.0 acres, respectively; their costs per acre were determined to be Le 4.75 and Le 4.69, respectively. The analysis revealed that operating costs per acre were high because of the high incidence of mechanical breakdowns of tractors which may be traced partially to inadequate supervision. While this latter cause may not be due to lack of properly trained supervisory staf it may be traceable to certain local customs as well as attitudes. The number of tractors operating declines weekly. In the fourth week of the season, as many as seven tractors became inoperable. During the twelfth week, seventeen (or 52 percent of the original 33) were operating,* from the eighteenth week to the end of the season in July, no more than four tractors (or 12 percent of the original fleet) were ever able to work during any given week. Many plowing sites are too small to permit economic operations.
On these sites, capital cost per acre is high,operating cost per acre is high. These factors coupled with the difficult accessibility conditions that prevail indicate definitively that these small sites should be eliminated. This would permit
Description
Thesis (PHD) - University of Ghana, 1971