Application and Enhancement of Design for the Maintenance of Sociotechnical Networks (DFMSN): A Case Study of Agricultural Equipment in Burkina Faso

Abstract

Background: Agricultural mechanisation in resource-constrained environments depends not only on machinery performance but also on the capacity of local maintenance networks to sustain equipment operation. Conventional maintainability approaches largely emphasise product-related characteristics, while the influence of local technical skills, spare-parts availability, repair capabilities, costs, and procurement constraints is less explicitly incorporated into design decisions. The DFMSN approach addresses this gap, although its empirical validation and operational application to agricultural equipment remain limited. Aims: This study evaluates and extends the Design for the Maintenance of Sociotechnical Networks (DFMSN) approach to redesigning a two-wheel tractor suited to resource-constrained operating and maintenance conditions in Burkina Faso. Study Design: A field-based case study was conducted to characterise the local sociotechnical maintenance network and translate its technical, economic and logistical constraints into design requirements. Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted in the Soum agricultural area, Nando Region, Burkina Faso, involving actors engaged in two-wheel-tractor operation, maintenance, repair and component supply. Methodology: A survey of 39 stakeholders was undertaken, comprising 27 users, two maintenance technicians, two welders, three spare-parts suppliers, three non-governmental organisations (NGOs)/cooperatives and two raw-material suppliers. Data on failures, maintenance practices, component availability, procurement lead times, costs and local repair capabilities were analysed. The findings guided the application of the eight original DFMSN rules to the redesign of a two-wheel tractor. Results: The user occupied a central position within an open maintenance network connecting repairers, suppliers and support organisations. Maintainability was strongly influenced by component availability, procurement lead times and ease of intervention. The application of DFMSN favoured a standardised power unit, simplified transmission, locally available components, a welded frame and a reduced range of fasteners. These findings supported the development of DFMSN+, incorporating operational rules for functional simplification, local procurement, manufacturability, autonomous maintenance and technical documentation. Conclusion: DFMSN+ provides a practical framework for translating local sociotechnical maintenance constraints into actionable design rules for agricultural equipment in resource-constrained environments. The findings constitute preliminary field validation; further assessment of prototype reliability, maintainability, performance and durability over several agricultural seasons is required.