The role of tinkering in adapting available equipment to farmers' technical facts and sustainable agriculture

Résumé En

This study examines the concept of "technical fact" in agriculture, rooted in philosophical realism and agronomic theory. The concept emphasises the time-bound realisation of technical tendencies in agriculture and highlights the critical role of farmers' actions, mediated by equipment, in shaping farming practices and soil management. The research examines the impact of equipment adaptation on the flexibility of farming practices and cropping system design, with a focus on soil conservation agriculture in France. The study employs a qualitative approach to investigate farmers' motivations, actions, and challenges related to equipment tinkering through surveys and thematic analysis. The study shows that farmers can improve their flexibility and autonomy by tinkering with their equipment to adapt to local conditions, finally contributing to sustainable agriculture. Modularity of equipment emerges as the main driver of farmers’ tinkering to meet their evolving needs and promote adaptation in the face of climate change challenges.