COMCEC Agriculture Outlook 2017
29
Figure 24. Fertilizer Use in the OIC by Sub-Regions (2014)
Source: FAOSTAT
2.6. Mechanization
The ratio of number of tractor per 1,000 hectares of arable land in the OIC member countries
declined to 6.9 in 2008 from 9.8 in 2002. This reduction shows that 1,000 hectares of arable
land needed to be harvested by 6.9 tractors in 2008, instead of 9.8 in 2002. Even though the
number of tractors used increased in the OIC member countries between 2002 and 2008,
increase in the arable land area was higher. Hence, this situation leads to a decrease in the
ratio of number of tractor used in arable land in the OIC.
Developed countries and other developing countries also experienced a similar reduction in
this ratio. As of 2008, the world average was 4.8 and the average of other developing countries
was 1.72. In other words, compared with other developing countries and the world average,
the OIC member countries are in a better position collectively in terms of tractor use.
Nevertheless, the OIC member countries still have insufficient agricultural mechanization
relative to developed countries group in which the ratio is calculated as 10. Therefore,
considering that the same area of arable land is harvested by 6.9 tractors in the OIC member
countries compared to 10 tractors in developed countries, the use of agricultural machinery in
the OIC member countries needs to be improved.12
12 SESRIC, 2014
5,6 6,2
11,5
64,3 64,8
74,3
84,4
106,2
110,7
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
2003 2008 2014 2003 2008 2014 2003 2008 2014
African Group Arab Group Asian Group
kg/ha