Mechanization in land preparation and agricultural intensification: The case of rice farming in the Cote d'Ivoire
研究了科特迪瓦水稻种植中拖拉机使用对化肥和劳动力投入的影响，发现机械化能促进农业集约化并提高生产力，对撒哈拉以南非洲农业政策有参考价值。
Abstract It is critically important to intensify farming systems in sub‐Saharan Africa by disseminating improved agronomic practices and increasing the application of modern inputs. One of the region's problems is that proper land preparation is difficult due to the scarcity of draft animals and the underdevelopment of the tractor rental market. Our analysis of rice production in the Cote d'Ivoire reveals that farmers who use tractors in land preparation more intensively apply fertilizer and use more labor to carefully implement proper agronomic practices, thereby raising productivity. Thus, the diffusion of tractors appears to be key to the intensification of rice farming systems in sub‐Saharan Africa.