FIG. 2. Some determinants of the farming system. Norman and Hays (1979).


 Weather in most of the Caribbean islands is favorable to pro-
 duction of many tropical and semi-tropical crops. The area is
 largely frost-free without extremes of temperature. Although
 most areas have an adequate amount of rainfall, many areas have
 long periods of insufficient rainfall or soils with low water holding
 capacity, making irrigation highly desirable for food crop produc-
 tion. Availability of water suitable for irrigation is a serious prob-
 lem on some Caribbean islands.

 Mechanization Alternatives for Small Farms
 in the Caribbean Area
 The needs of small farms in this area for mechanization must
 meet the previously stated criteria for technical, economic, and
 social feasibility and infrastructure adaptability. These criteria are
 the same for many other areas of the world. The differences are
 mainly in the environmental and socio-economic constraints placed
 locally on the development of appropriate farming systems.

 Tractor Power. Finding appropriate tractor power for small
 farms has become increasingly difficult, but still necessary for in-
 come producing farms. Small farmers on the U.S. mainland have
 relied heavily on used equipment, some of it over 20 years old.
 This may not be a viable alternative on island situations where lit-

VOL. XX-PROCEEDINGS of the CARIBBEAN FOOD CROPS SOCIETY


tie used equipment is available. Availability of parts for older
equipment may also be a special problem in many areas.
 The best selection policy for the small farmer is generally to use
 the smallest, simplest piece of machinery that will do the job.
 Small four-wheel drive tractors of 13 h.p. and up may be able to
 do more jobs at less cost than a larger two-wheel drive tractor.
 Versatility for a number of uses and adaptability to difficult ter-
 rain may be important advantages of four-wheel drive.
 Small rotary tillers have widespread application on many very
 small farms for primary tillage and cultivation operations. In
 many cases they are the principal alternative to animal power or
 hand labor with a hoe. Operator fatigue and lack of
 maneuverability for close cultivation activities is a problem with
 larger rotary tillers. Thus, equipment only just large enough for
 needed primary tillage operations should be selected. The over-
 use of rotary tillage equipment may tend to damage soil struc-
 ture, particularly in soils with high clay content.
 Relief from the high initial cost of tractors will not come easily
for the small farmer. The cost of manufacturing small tractors, as
in manufacturing small automobiles, does not necessarily
decrease proportionately with the size of the unit. Small tractors
have not been highly profitable for most manufacturers. Most of
the U.S. manufacturers no longer make small tractors in the U.S.


151


 FACT OR S

 Physical

TECHNICAL Chmcal
ELLMENT -- Mhoansol


 SiorogicoI


 Crop
 Labor ~ ntgi Z




 Capital
 Off-farm
 ev prim


t4MAN
ELEMENT