COMCEC Agriculture Outlook 2018
31
Figure 24. Fertilizer Use in the OIC by Sub-Regions (2015)
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.11
11 SESRIC, 2014
4,8 8,8 9,2
49,1
420,4
499,6
76,6
109,0 125,1
0
100
200
300
400
500
600
2002 2010 2015 2002 2010 2015 2002 2010 2015
African Group Arab Group Asian Group
kg/ha