Search

Agricultural machinery use is less assessed in Benin Republic. This study investigated the factors determining the continuous tractor use in Benin. A multi stage random sampling procedure was used to select tractor users in the country. A total of 203 households using agricultural machinery were surveyed using interviews and a structured questionnaire. Their information concerned socioeconomic characteristics and production activities. The logit model is used through a stepwise selection and the odds-ratio was then calculated. The results indicate tractor use is an own business of 75.91% and 71.35% are land owners. All of them recognize the positive effects of tractor use on farm productivity. The logit regression showed that the continuous use of tractor is significantly influenced by the number of hour for one (01) hectare tilled, the total area tilled per year as well as the tractor age. Moreover the tractor mark available also influenced tractor use. The most common failures were hydraulic lifting pump (16.36%), fuel filter (14.55%), clutch disc failure (9.92%), broken of plow (8.76%) and injection pump (7.60 %). This is important to prevent the future of agricultural equipment use and take action to deal with any tractor breakdown for sustainable agricultural extension in Benin.