Background
Agricultural mechanization has become a cornerstone of Cambodia’s agricultural development over the past two decades. Four-wheel tractors have increasingly replaced animal power and walk-behind tractors, particularly in major rice-producing provinces. Tractors are now widely used not only for land preparation but also for transportation, land leveling, crop establishment, and custom hiring services. As the number of tractors in operation continues to grow, demand for maintenance, repair services, and replacement spare parts has expanded rapidly, creating a substantial aftermarket ecosystem comprising authorized dealers, independent spare parts retailers, local repair workshops, mobile mechanics, and informal suppliers.
Despite the importance of this aftermarket sector, limited information exists regarding how Cambodian farmers make decisions when purchasing spare parts or selecting repair workshops. Farmers’ purchasing behavior is influenced by economic constraints, availability of products and services, trust, technical knowledge, and recommendations from peers and mechanics. Understanding these behaviors is essential for improving the availability of quality spare parts, strengthening repair services, reducing machinery downtime, and supporting sustainable agricultural productivity.
Research Objectives
The study seeks to:
Understand tractor ownership and utilization among Cambodian farmers.
Examine routine maintenance practices and repair behaviors.
Identify the types of spare parts most frequently purchased.
Assess where farmers purchase tractor spare parts.
Understand the factors influencing farmers’ selection of spare parts retailers.
Examine farmers’ preferences when selecting local repair workshops.
Assess customer satisfaction with existing spare parts suppliers and repair services.
Evaluate farmers’ perceptions of genuine versus aftermarket spare parts.
Identify barriers affecting access to quality spare parts and repair services.
Explore opportunities for improving the agricultural machinery aftermarket.
