Start with the job that costs you most time
Look at where labour goes. Land preparation, weeding, spraying, feed preparation and milling each have a machine that cuts the hours. Mechanise the heaviest job first.
Match the machine to the farm
- Small and medium plots: a walking tractor with a tiller, a knapsack sprayer and a brush cutter.
- Livestock: a chaff cutter or fodder chopper to prepare napier grass, hay and stalks.
- Grain: a posho mill for your own maize or as a service for neighbours.
- Water: a pump sized for your source and your acreage.
Think about power
Petrol machines are light and easy to start. Diesel suits long running hours. Electric machines are quiet but need a dependable supply.
Plan for operation and upkeep
Make sure someone on the farm knows how to operate and service the machine, and that you can get fuel, oil and wear parts. Ask the seller what spares are available for the model you choose.
