Species mixtures are a key lever for the agroecological transition, as they allow to reduce environmental impacts while maintaining yields. Farmers face challenges in implementing them, however – especially technical difficulties and constraints related to cultivation and post-harvest sorting machinery. This study explores farmers’ agricultural equipment fleet management logics in the context of species mixture cultivation.
Our research methodology draws on the innovation tracking approach. Data were collected through interviews with 13 farmers cultivating species mixtures across France. Using concepts from systems agronomy, we examined: (i) the characteristics and management of mixtures, as farmers consider them when selecting and using equipment, (ii) the technical features of the machinery used – including modifications and farmer-driven innovations – and (iii) farmers’ overall logic for managing their machinery fleets.
Three main findings emerged. First, we identified six categories of species mixtures, characterized according to their component species’ spatial arrangement and sowing depth – two aspects that, from farmers’ perspective, are closely linked to machinery management strategies. For instance, in one category, species are sown in the same row and at the same depth, while in another, they are sown in alternating rows at different depths.
Second, we found that all farmers used a wide range of equipment to manage and sort the mixtures, with many having modified or improvised tools, especially for sowing. For example, one farmer adapted a seed drill to sow wheat and faba bean at two different depths.
Third, our interviews showed three contrasting machinery management logics: (i) cost minimization by reusing existing equipment, (ii) adapting sowing practices to the biological characteristics of species, and (iii) equipment choices shaped by local resources.
This study offers a new approach to understanding the role of agricultural machinery in species mixture management and provides insights that can support stakeholders in the development of this agroecological practice.