Malawi small holder farmers hope that a new Solar-Powered African tractor that is undergoing field tests will be an answer to their tough top soil and ultimately help enhance farm mechanisation in the country.
Dubbed African tractor or simply Aftrak, the project, a collaboration with Loughborough University in England has been designed particulalrly for small holder farmers in rural areas.
It also aims to significantly increase crop yields and smallholder incomes while providing access to clean, green electricity in rural communities.
Key features
Flexible ETFE 200W Solar Panel operating at 23.4V using a boost MPPT to charge a 48V battery system
-Battery and inverter system with 200Ah capacity at 48V giving a total capacity of 9.6kWh. Operates as a mobile energy vector with mains ac and USB outputs
12″ pneumatic lug wheels fer increased traction. 2.4kW drive motors with a top speed of 6mph
5kW tool motor driving a chain system with carbide teeth and an earth redistribution auger at 1000rpm
Why Aftrak fits small holder African farmers
Easy to assemble, no specialists or special tools required.
Main tooling utilises a Hardpan Breaker
Allows deep soil processing (up to 400mm)
-Carbide tipped from factory
Replaceable with steel blades
Large wheel motors to move through earth with no driver forces
Fully compatible and designed for Deep Bed Farming
Creates ready to go planting soil
Preliminary testing revealed the need for performance enhancements, including increasing the number of chains to improve land tilling.
Despite these initial setbacks, the Aftrak won the $1 million Milken-Motsepe Prize in Green Energy in May.
