IMPACT OF MECHANIZATION ON AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTIVITY IN CAMEROON

Abstract

The aim of this study is to assess the impact of mechanization on agricultural productivity in Cameroon. To achieve this objective, we use Propensity Score Matching techniques on data from the fourth Cameroon Household Survey (CHS IV). The results of the analysis show that farming households using machines on their farms are more productive than their counterparts using traditional farming tools. Indeed, mechanization increases agricultural productivity by 449851 FCFA per monetary unit of input engaged in the agricultural campaign. This effect is statistically significant at the 1% threshold. These results show that mechanization is necessary to improve agricultural yields for Cameroonian farmers. Consequently, we recommend that public authorities improve farmers' level of mechanization by distributing or granting subsidies for the purchase of agricultural machinery.