“First and foremost I’m an agricultural engineer; I just happen to have a high affinity with mechanics,” says mechanization specialist Jelle Van Loon. “I think my advantage is having a broad knowledge, being able to understand agronomy as well as mechanical engineering, and having studied agricultural economics in developing countries.”
This background has served him well in a role where a hands-on, multidisciplinary approach is crucial.
“Mechanization doesn’t necessarily mean building or creating more machines,” he explains, “but rather introducing technology and farm equipment to farmers to facilitate their work, as well as supporting them on how and when to use it to increase production efficiency.”