CONSIDERATIONS ON CULTIVATION METHODS

• Use of hand labour or animal draft is usually more appropriate for smallholders than mechanical cultivation, since the resources and skills required for labour-intensive technologies are generally available to them and purchased inputs and skills (which are in short supply) are not needed.
  
  
• If mechanization is needed for any stage of the production process (e.g. for early land preparation to ensure timely planting), machinery services should be provided on a multi-farm basis by the contracting company, an entrepreneur or perhaps a producers' co-operative. If the services cannot be provided, the area should not be chosen.
  
  
• If the crop has to be grown inside a greenhouse or shelter, it is unlikely to be an appropriate enterprise for smallholder operation because of the heavy investment required and the complexity of management.

Related Information: Considerations on erosion control; irrigation; flood control; soil fertility; pests and diseases