Appraisal of Agricultural Mechanization in Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State, Nigeria

Abstract Udi Local Government Area is a major food producing area in Enugu State of Nigeria, but over the recent years, there has been a general decline of crop yield in the area, and one of the factors that affect that agricultural output is the level of mechanization practices, thus leading to the appraisal of agricultural mechanization in the area. Nine (9) communities were randomly selected from the three Agricultural and Geographical zone that made up Udi Local Government Area and these include; Udi North, Udi Central and Udi South. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results shows that 90% of the farmers practice subsistence farming, 98% of the farmers use locally made tools, and 78% of the farmers repair their broken implement by themselves. Based on the findings, the research recommended that adequate farming education program, training, seminar and workshop practice to the farmers are required in improving their knowledge of new techniques and technologies, although existing methods/manned operations can be efficient over large areas using locally made tools. There will be potential increase of higher efficiencies when full mechanization take place, and proffered solutions implemented.