Technological advancements are constantly being made to deliver efficient, climate-resilient practices for small-scale farming. The development of equipment specifically designed for small farmers is part of the move to support the sector.

“Small farmers are increasingly turning to technology to increase yields, improve quality and reduce costs. This impacts every part of their production process including the equipment they use,” says Husqvarna South Africa MD Pieter Smuts.

The company has engineered a range of equipment that it says will be a game changer for Africa’s small farmers.

Drought, changes in rainfall patterns and bush encroachment all lead to a loss of cultivated land. Using the right equipment, such as chainsaws, clearing saws and pole saws, helps to simplify the clearing of forestry, thick greenery and branches. Rough grass, weeds, small bushes or brushwood can also be cleared effectively with tools such as Husqvarna’s brushcutters that feature trimmer heads that can be adjusted by changing the type of blade to suit a specific task – from fine trimming to heavy work in rough terrain. The company’s stump grinder is described as an effective tool to get rid of roots and stumps with minimum effort, even in tight areas.

Available with a range of attachments, Husqvarna’s small ride-on tractor is said to be a versatile tool and essential for the small farmer. The company describes its Garden Tractor as cost effective, manoeuvrable, and easy to operate and maintain.

Husqvarna has designed a series of rear-tine motorised tiller models for use on densely packed earth, with a number of tiller attachments for various working depths and widths.

The company’s water pumps for irrigation and draining range of pumps are said to be powerful yet energy efficient, compact, lightweight, and easy to move.

Motorised sprayers offer more consistent spraying, improved productivity and reduced operator fatigue compared to manual sprayers. Husqvarna’s range of sprayers is based on tank size and, when combined with misters and dusters, are useful for pest control on small farm operations.