Analysis of Mechanized Agriculture in Southern Region of Ethiopia, Particularly in Central Zones

Abstract

The central zone of southern Ethiopia is one of the well-known regions of Ethiopia for agricultural food production; the main crops found in the central zone are; fruits and vegetables, cereal crops like teff, maize, sorghum, bean, pea, haricot bean, wheat, rice, barley. Cash crop, Coffee, Ginger, Pepper, Sugarcane. Oil crops for oil manufacturing in the food industry, soybeans, peanuts, sunfowers, and groundnut are harvested for human consumption. Feed crops for cattle or livestock consumption barley, beets, grasses for domestic animals to graze and store as hay or silage. Currently, poverty is commonly observed in both urban and rural areas in this region, mostly familiar within the rural part of the whole country. One of the main causes of food insecurity is unplanned and traditional rain feed agricultural habits.Prsently the farmers of southern region of Ethiopia are following the traditional methods for the land preparation, sowing and other allied operations of their farms. However to reduce the povetry,  economic growth and living style of this region community mechanized agriculture is only one  of the the solution. To enhance productivity by using a mechanized agricultural system using advanced farm machineries, tools  and optional water sources for small-scale households as well as bulky massive irrigation to feed  the rapidly growing population is very essential. However, mechanization is one of the most important categories to improve overall agricultural production. The use of advanced agricultural machinery and irrigational supplemented mechanized farming has a direct impact on food security and rural development strategies. Therefore; the present study is conducted to assess data on mechanized agriculture including the use of improved machinery, water resource, and irrigated farming methods in southern Ethiopia, particularly in central zones.