Factors determining farmers’ decisions to adopt agricultural mechanization services: A review

Abstract

Agricultural mechanization services (AMS) enable smallholder farmers to access mechanized production efficiently and cost-effectively, without the need to invest in machinery. Despite these advantages, the adoption rates of AMS are notably low in many developing and transitional countries. This study systematically reviews 28 articles published between 2013 and 2025 worldwide to synthesize the factors determining AMS use among smallholder farmers. The geographical scope includes Bangladesh, China, Ethiopia, Ghana, Indonesia, Malawi, South Africa, and Zambia. The reviewed literature defines AMS use through various dimensions, including adoption rates, intensity, expenditure, ratio, and willingness to pay. Determinants are categorized into socio-demographic, household endowment, land-related, and institutional factors. The findings highlight that factors such as education, the health status of household heads, family labor endowment, land size, land tenure security, access to credit, and participation in agricultural training are crucial in driving the use of AMS among farmers. These insights underscore the need for targeted policies and practical interventions to promote the use of AMS. Additionally, the review identifies research gaps in the AMS definition, factor measurement, and cross-border comparisons, suggesting avenues for future research