By A Correspondent
Choosing the right farming equipment can make or break a small-scale operation, yet many African farmers face costly setbacks due to poor equipment decisions.
Now, Alec Philp, Director at Cutting Edge, is offering a practical five-step guide to help smallholder farmers improve efficiency, productivity, and returns on investment. The full press release from Husqvarna outlines expert advice to support smarter purchasing and better long-term outcomes.
Press Release (as requested, reproduced in full):
PRESS RELEASE
GEARING UP FOR GROWTH
A Small Farmer’s Guide to Smart Equipment Decisions
Running a successful farm starts with having the right tools. On a small farm, the right equipment can help you get more done in less time, make day-to-day tasks easier, and ultimately improve your yield – and your profit.
According to Alec Philp, Director at Cutting Edge, a common challenge for small farmers is knowing which tools are best suited to their specific needs. This can lead to machines being undersized or oversized, or simply not fit for purpose – resulting in underutilisation and farmers not reaping the benefits of their investment.
“Efficient equipment management means matching the right tool to the job,” says Philp. “You want to get the work done quickly, with minimal effort and at the lowest possible operating cost, but that’s not achievable if what you’re using isn’t appropriate for the task or the scale of your operation.”
And with most small-scale farming in Africa relying heavily on manual labour, every efficiency counts. “To get the best results, you need rugged, reliable, and user-friendly equipment that can handle tough conditions and is easy to move between different working areas,” Philp adds.
He shares five key tips to ensure your equipment pulls its weight alongside you:
1. Identify Your Needs
Whether you’re starting out or looking to improve efficiency, the first step is to assess your farm size and the specific tasks that need attention. Are you clearing brush or forest? Spraying? Irrigating? Mowing one hectare or five? Do you need equipment for soil preparation, distribution, or weed control? What about water pumps or generators?
By clearly defining your priorities and workload, you can better match your equipment to your actual needs, avoiding under- or over-investment and ensuring your tools truly support your farm’s productivity.
2. Set Your Budget
Start with your budget, then do your homework. Compare price-to-quality ratios, research performance, and check parts availability and servicing options. Premium machinery costs more upfront but delivers long-term value through genuine spare parts, support, and extended service life.
Match your tools to your farm’s specific tasks and scale. That full-sized tractor might be overkill – consider a compact garden tractor with attachments instead. For spraying, a hand-held unit could be just as effective as a boom sprayer, depending on your task size. Making the right choices for your specific needs ensures efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and ease of use.
3. Choose Multi-Purpose Tools
When space and budget are tight, versatile equipment is your best investment. Why maintain multiple machines that only get occasional use? Multi-purpose tools let small farmers accomplish more with less. Take compact self-drive tillers – they’re cost-effective for soil preparation, and many feature attachments for multiple tasks. Leaf blowers are equally versatile, handling everything from quick cleanup to controlling small grass fires. These multi-purpose machines reduce your need for single-use equipment and are valuable additions to a farmer’s toolkit.
4. Talk to an Expert
You’ll be using this machinery for years, so don’t rush your decision. Speak to experts at authorised dealerships who offer ongoing support, servicing, and spare parts availability. Ask about warranty coverage too. Husqvarna products come with a one-year limited warranty – any factory defects will be repaired or replaced free at authorised workshops.
5. Don’t Overlook Maintenance
Your machinery works hard and needs regular care to perform at its best. That’s why the support network behind your purchase matters. When you need spare parts or quick repairs, you also don’t want to travel far. Ask dealers about general servicing, product training, and expert advice. These value-added services come standard with every Husqvarna product, saving you time and money long-term.
Philp says these five tips can guide you toward smarter equipment choices. But don’t stop there. “Speak to local distributors and chat to fellow farmers,” he advises. “When you combine expert advice with real-world experience, you’ll make informed decisions and choose tools that help your farm run more efficiently and your life easier”.
Find the right tools for your farm at https://www.husqvarna.com/zw/ and browse their full range of small farm equipment.
ENDS
Press Release Disseminated on Behalf of:
Timothy Isabirye
Marketing Manager – Husqvarna South Africa
Disseminated by:
Thulisile Mhlongo
PR Account Executive: Say Watt
071 326 9830
About Husqvarna
Husqvarna, a brand within Husqvarna Group, is a market leader in innovative and high-quality products and services for shaping green spaces in parks, forests and gardens. Since 1689, Swedish-born Husqvarna has a strong focus on research and development and is a pioneer in robotic lawn mowers and chainsaws. Today, the product portfolio consists of the next generation of robotic mowers, riders, chainsaws and trimmers for professional as well as private use. Sustainable value creation, product innovation and digitalization remain important for the journey ahead. Husqvarna products are sold in more than 100 countries. Husqvarna Group, which also includes Gardena and Husqvarna Construction, has 13 300 employees in 40 countries around the world and net sales in 2024 amounted to SEK 48,4 billion. Husqvarna Group is listed on Nasdaq Stockholm.