The conditions for the adoption of an innovative equipment solution: the tractor unit

Abstract

Sharing machinery is becoming more common practice, in particular farmers are joining together to form small groups to purchase and use one or several tractors with their associated tools. This paper examines the conditions for adopting this formula for using equipment. It underlines the essential role of mutual assistance and dialogue between the farmers as well as the need for an organiser who is able to co-ordinate several farmers within one project. It confirms the importance of agro-economic factors for each farm. It also illustrates the contribution of agricultural machinery advisers who help farmers to make their decisions, in particular by supplying information. This work breaks new ground by taking into account the social aspects of co-operation to achieve a better understanding of sharing equipment.