The Role of Agricultural Engineering within the Process of Rural Development and the German Working Group of International Co-operation in Agricultural Engineering

Abstract

A definition of the comprehensive field of agricultural engineering is followed by a  characterization of the role of this discipline in the development process. Errors and  mistakes made in technical co-operation and reasons for stagnation are analysed. There is no doubt that emerging nations must continue to mechanise agriculture. Less hardware orientated, interdisciplinary, participatory, integrated projects oriented to sustainability will lead to the introduction of situation conform mechanization  which is in line with the given situation, both in terms of social aspects and ecology, and will also raise the economic viability of smallholder enterprises. The effort of the working group "International Co-operation in Agricultural Engineering" is explained, including its eastward-looking ambitions to contribute to optimizing mechanization in the new independent states of the former USSR.