Agricultural Mechanization, Advantages And Disadvantages

Agricultural mechanization is the application of engineering principles and technology to agricultural production, storage and processing of plants and animal products on the farm.

The intention of agricultural mechanization is to increase food production and to meet the need of increasing population and industrial request for raw materials.
ADVANTAGES OF AGRICULTURAL MECHANIZATION
1.   It reduces or eliminates drudgery
2.   It enhances increase in food production
3.   It improves the standard of living of the farmer
4.   Farm labour output per man is increased
5.   Re-claimation of waste land is possible through water drainage on water-logged area.
6.   It ensures more efficient artificial application of water to the farm land (irrigation)
DISADVANTAGES
1.   It is very costly to purchase agricultural machinery because it requires a lot of money
2.   It damages crops if care is not taken
3.   It aids the spread of diseases and pests through contaminated machinery
4.   It leads to unemployment
5.   It results into environmental pollution
6.   High cost of maintenance
7.   Scarcity of spare parts
8.   It causes soil compartment and destruction of soil structure

Factors Of Production In Agriculture

Production refers to all economic activities that result to production of goods and services. It is also a process of making and manufacturing goods. In order to create goods and services during production certain factors or resources must be put together.

The resources are called factors of production and it includes:
LAND
This can be defined as natural resources such as minerals, water, air space e.t.c. All farming activities are carried out on the land e.g. growing of crops, rearing of animals, fishery forestry, wildlife conservation.
Mineral resources such as gold, diamond, petroleum etc can be obtained from land and land can be used as collateral security to obtain loan from the bank.

CHARACTERISTICS OF LAND

1.   It is a free gift of nature

2.   It cannot be transferred

3.   It’s supply is limited

4.   It’s value is determined by its location

The reward of land is RENT. It can appreciate and depreciate

FACTORS THAT MAKES LAND APPRECIATE

1.   Fallowing

2.   Addition of fertilizer or manure

3.   Weeding

4.   Irrigation

5.   Increase in population density

FACTORS THAT MAKES LAND DEPRECIATE

1.   Erosion

2.   Infestation by pests and diseases

3.   Overgrazing

4.   Continuous cultivation

5.   Dumping of Toxic materials

6.   Water logging

LABOUR

     This is mental and physical effort that is put into production. It could be skilled or semi-skilled and unskilled. The size and the quantity influence output (production) because it converts natural resources into usable product. It is made available to the farm in different ways, these are:

1.   Personal labour:  Carried out by owner of the farm

2.   Family labour: Carried out by the members of farmer’s family

3.   Communal labour: Carried out by the neighbors

4.   Hired labour: Carried out by people who are paid on daily, weekly basis

The reward for labour is wages and salaries

CAPITAL

Capital includes all man-made production asset used in production. It may also be defined as assets that are needed not for the satisfaction, they are provided directly but for the production of other goods and services.

 It includes farm tools e.g. cutlass hoe e.t.c Farm machinery e.g. tractor, plough, harrow, ridger  Stored produce e.g. yam, rice, maize  Buildings, e.g. farm house, production shield  Crops in the field e.g. maize, yam, okro Equipments e.g. tractors, bulldozer  Livestock e.g. cattle, sheep, goat and Cash known as liquid capital

Capital may be fixed or Variable

1.   Fixed Capital: This refers to durable goods that are replaced after a long time. In other words they are assets required for continuous use in production. They are items or materials which are not used up in production e.g. machine, buildings, equipments, tools, incubator etc
2.   Variable/Working Capital: This capital or asset used in the day to day running of a business enterprise. They are used up during production and they include.
a.    Farm input such as fertilizer, herbicides, planting materials e.tc. capital needed for repayment of workers’ wages and salaries
b.   The capital needed for the maintenance of farm buildings and structures
c.     The money needed for the purchase of livestock feeds and drugs. The reward of capital in INTEREST.

MANAGEMENT/ENTREPRENEUR

Management refers to person or group of people who coordinates, organize and control the use of other factors of production for a successful output. The management determines:

1.   What to produce?

2.   When to produce?

3.   How to produce?

4.   To recruit worker etc

The profitability of a farm is a function of the management team.

FUNCTIONS OF THE MANAGER ORGANIZATION

The functions of a  Farm Manager includes:

i.             Organization

ii.           Administration

iii.         Production

iv.         Marketing

v.           Evaluation.

This involves setting out target for production in an orderly manner that befits all production processes. Organization also include

a.  determination of what to produce

a.    Determine the scale of production (large or small scale)

b.   Arrangement of input

c.    Procuring capital for production

e.  Recruiting workers  

ADMINISTRATION

Administrative functions of farm manager include:

a.    Supervision of work on the farm

b.   Directing staff on day to day activities

c.    Payment of staff salaries

d.   Ensuring welfare of staff

e.    Rewarding or discipline of staff based on their performance

PRODUCTION

This is the actual target of any farm enterprise. The activities that are connected with production on the farm include:

a.    Purchase and use of farm inputs

b.   Ensuring proper care for crops and animals

c.    Avoidance of wastage

d.   Combining resources in adequate quantity for optimum production

MARKETING

     This is the disposal of finished goods; the farm manager is expected to:

a.    Determine the quantity of produce to sell at a particular time.

b.   Determine the selling price

c.    Determine the best marketing channel for maximum profit

d.   To process and store

EVALUATION

This is the assessment of performance for future plans and improvement

a.    Appropriate records must be kept

b.   Analyse the account and books kept on all operation carried out on the farm

c.    Assessment of staff or workers performance

d.   Development of new strategies


PROBLEMS OF FARM MANAGER

1.   Inadequate information

2.   Inadequate farm input

3.   Shortage of fund/funding problem

4.   Inadequate personnel

5.   Bad/unstable government policy

8 Listed Sources Of Farm Power

The various means and methods through which activities on the farm are carried out involve the use of various sources of power.

The sources of power include the following:

1.   Human power

2.   Animal power

3.   Solar power

4.   Mechanical power

5.   Electrical power

6.   Water power

7.   Wind power

8.   Bio gas

1. Human Power: Various activities on the farm such as land clearing, ploughing, planting, weeding, harvesting, processing etc. can be carried out by man.

Man has the highest form of intelligence and he controls all other forms of farm power on the farm.

ADVANTAGES OF HUMAN POWER

1.   Human power is required in all farm operations

2.   Human power is easy to control and readily available

3.   Human power is used with traditional tools or modern implement

DISADVANTAGES

1.   Work output is low

2.   Level of work done is directly proportional to food intake

3.   Weather/climate affects the amount of work done

2.  Animal Power:  is the power that is supplied by farm animals to carry out activities on the farm such as ploughing, harrowing, ridging, transportation e.t.c.

DISADVANTAGES

1.   Work output is higher than that of man

2.   The initial cost is very cheap

3.   It is not subjected to fuel scarcity

4.   While working, animal dung can serve as manure

DISADVANTAGES

1.   It is not suitable for processing agricultural products because they can eat them up

2.   There is a limit to the area of land that can be cultivated

3.   They pose danger to the crops on the farm

4.   It is not suitable for large scale production

FARM OPERATIONS WHICH REQUIRE ANIMAL POWER

1.   For carrying people from one part of the farm to another

2.   For drawing plough

3.   For transportation of loads

3.  Mechanical Power: Is a form of power that is transmitted through engines.

Introduction of mechanical power has considerably increased farm output, they can be used in soil preparation, processing and harvesting of crops.

ADVANTAGES

1.   Mechanical power can perform more activities than any other form of farm power

2.   It can be used under any kind of condition

3.   There is no fatigue

4.   It saves time

5.   It is versatile and can operate implements for different operations

6.   It is not subject to any form of attack unlike animal and man

DISADVANTAGES

1.   Mechanical power is expensive

2.   It is not suitable for subsistence farming

3.   Crop losses during mechanical operation are usually high

4.   The use of machines destroy soil structure

5.   It requires experts to operate

4.  Solar Power: This is the power derived from sunlight to carry out farm operations. Energy from the sun is tapped by plants to manufacture food, besides this solar radiation can be converted into solar energy to brood chicken,  incubate hen,  power machines,  generate electricity e.t.c

ADVANTAGES

1.   Cost of production is low and its tools are easily available

2.   It can be used to generate electricity

3.   It is free

4.   It is a neat source of energy

DISADVANTAGES

1.   Its provision cannot be controlled

2.   Its technology is very high

3.   Excess of it can cause transpiration and evaporation

5.  Electrical Power: This is the power derived from electricity. It is the commonest source of power on the farm in many countries and it complements other sources of farm power.

 ADVANTAGES

1.   It is very efficient and reliable in advanced countries.

2.   It is a cheap sources of power supply

3.   It can be converted from one form of energy to anther

4.   It can be generated from different sources

DISADVANTAGES

1.   If it is not properly handled, it can causes problem

2.   Maintenance could be very high

3.   Its supply is irregular especially in a country like Nigeria

4.   It cannot be used to carry out some operations on the farm

6. Water Power: This is the power derived from water, running water in streams are used for different purposes on the farm when connected with appropriate equipments either for pumping irrigation water or for generating electricity.

ADVANTAGES

1.   Water power does not pollute the environment

2.   It can be easily and directly connected to mechanical power/electrical power

DISADVANTAGES

1.   It cannot be used for field activities

2.   Availability of water depends on season

3.   It does not supply power directly

4.   It could be destructive if carelessly handled

7. Wind Power: The kinetic energy from the wind can be converted into energy of the rotating shaft which can be used to power feed grinder or to operate water pump. The energy change is possible with the help of the windmill

ADVANTAGES

1.   It is available everywhere

2.   It is used in winnowing

3.   It is essential for drying of farm products

4.   The force of the wind can be converted into electricity through windmill

5.   It is useful for pollination

DISADVANTAGES

It is very expensive to construct  windmill

It is also erratic in supply

It cannot be stored for further use

It is difficult to control

It cannot be used in all farm operations

8. Bio gas:  Organic matter derived from plants and animals ruminants can be used as source of power on the farm. This is made possible when they are kept in a closed container to decompose.

From the products of decomposition gases are released and these can be used to produce heat energy.

 ADVANTAGES

1.   It is cheap

2.   The materials are readily available

3.   The method is not relatively harmful

ADVANTAGES

1.   It may take a longer time before decomposition takes place

2.   If not properly handled it may lead to environment pollution in an area

3.   It can constitute health hazard of not well managed

The 5 Major Factors Of Soil Formation

There are five major factors of soil formation. These factors are responsible for the nature and composition of soil. 

They include climate, parent material (parent rocks) living organism, topography, time.

CLIMATE

Climate elements that affect soil formation are rainfall, temperature. Any location with high rainfall and temperature usually have a deeper and richer top soil more than a place with low rainfall and temperature. 

This is so because under high temperature and rainfall micro-organisms that decomposed materials are quite active.

PARENT MATERIAL/ROCK

The type of rock from which a particular soil is formed determines the type of soil to be formed. 

If the parents material is acidic (parental the soil that will be found from it will be acidic and if it is alkaline the soil that will be formed from it will equally be alkaline.

LIVING ORGANISM

Living organism includes micro and macro organisms which decompose organic matter to form parts of the soil and macro organisms breaks down the rocks as well.

TOPOGRAPHY

The slope of land is an important factor in soil formation because it encourage run off (erosion) which retard the development of the soil.

TIME

This refers to the length of period for which parent rock has been exposed to soil formation processes. 

The longer any rock is exposed to soil formation processes the more it takes the shape of a physical soil.     

Wethering In Agriculture

Weathering can be defined as breaking down of rock into smaller particles to form soil. 

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There are three types of weathering:

1.   Physical weathering  

2.   Chemical weathering  

3.   Biological weathering  

PHYSICAL WEATHERING  

Various agents of physical weathering   include:

a.    Temperature:  Rock expands when temperature is high during the day and contrasts at night when the temperature cools down. As a result of continuous expansion and contraction rock becomes weakened and broken down into small pieces to form soil

b.   Ice: When water accumulates in the hollow of a rock the volume increases when water freezes, this increase forces the rock to expand and the rock contrast when the temperature is high and some of the water sink into the crack of the rock. when this continues for a long time the rock becomes weak and disintegrate to form soil.

c.    Water: Running water do carry materials such as rock particle, when such particles are rubbed against one another they further breakdown into smaller pieces to form soil.

d.   Wind: A moving air is called wind, when air is moving it carries along sand particles. When these sand particles blow against a rock it breaks down the rock through a gradual process to form soil.

e.    Human Activities: Human activities such as road construction, construction of building e.tc. leads to the breaking down of rocks for use, the unused particles now form soil.

f.     Pressure: Pressure exerted by human beings or animals on rock is capable of breaking it down to form soil.

CHEMICAL WEATHERING

This can be referred to as changes in the composition of rock materials which is brought about by chemical oxidation.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

a.    Carbonation:  Rain water that passes through atmosphere combines with Co₂ to form a weak acid known as carbonic acid. When carbonic acid comes in contact with rock especially marble rock it breaks it down to form soil.  C0₂ + H₂0              H₂C0₃ 

b.   Oxidation and reduction: Oxidation is the addition of oxygen to a substance while reduction is the removal of oxygen from a substance. Rock and minerals that contains iron and manganese are subjects to chemical weathering by oxidation and reduction.

c.    Hydration: This is the combination of water with another substance and the hydrated substance formed increases in volume thereby increasing or hasting the weathering process clay and ironite are hydrated this way:

Fe₂0₃  + 3H₂0             Fe₂0₃  3H₃0          

CuS0₄  + 5H₂0           CuS0₄  5H₂0          

d.   Hydrolysis:  Water causes reaction in a chemical reaction with the soil. Water reacts with carbonate and stimulates a double decomposition type of reaction.

Na₂C0₃  + 2H₂0             2Na₂0H  + H₂C0₃        

3M_g  + CS0  + 2H₂0            

e.    Solution: Water is able to dissolve an easy soluble universal in the rock and carry it away through drainage; if there is no drainage such mineral accumulates to form a particulars soil.

BIOLOGICAL WEATHERING

The pressure exerted on rocks by animals such as elephant, cattle and human beings moving about causes smaller fragment of rock to disintegrate or breakdown. The activities of earthworm, termite and other soil organisms have similar effects on the rock. The root of growing trees may penetrate the cracks in the rock and exert considerable pressure which leads to the breakdown of the rock.

ROCK

Most soil contains minerals and these minerals come from rock. The rock found on the earth surface varies depending on their mode and time of formation. Each rock type consists of different combination of minerals according to the way they were formed. There are three types of rock:-

1.   Igneous rock

2.   Sedimentary rock

3.   Metamorphic rock

1.   Igneous Rock: When a solid rock melts to form a thick liquid called molten magma as a result of the hotness of the earth interior. This thick liquid comes out of the earth interior in a volcanic eruption, it cools down, solidify to form igneous rock, e.g. granite, basalt, diorite e.t.c.

2.   Sedimentary Rock: Sedimentary rock is formed from accumulation and sedimentation of weathered rock materials carried and deposited by wind, water e.t.c sedimentary rocks are formed in three different ways:

a.    Mechanically formed sedimentary rock is formed as described above e.g. mud stone, sand stone shale.

b.   Chemically formed sedimentary rock is formed as described above e.g. mud stone, sand stone, shale.

c.    Originally or biologically formed sedimentary rock: These are rocks formed as a result of decay and remains of plants and animals e.g. limestone. It could also be as a result of great heat and pressure action on buried plant over a long time e.g. coal sedimentary rocks are always in layers and they are not as hard as metamorphic or igneous rock. 

3.   Metamorphic Rock:  Metamorphic rock are formed from already existing rocks that changed their composition due to great heat and pressure getting on them e.g. gness formed from granite which is of igneous origin. Schist and slate are formed from shale, mud stone which is of sedimentary origin.

SOIL TYPES AND THEIR PROPERTIES

There are three major types of soil:

1.   Sandy soil

2.   Clay soil

3.   Loamy soil

PROPERTIES OF SANDY SOIL

1.   It is coarse, grained and gritty

2.   It is loose with large pore spaces

3.   It absorbs water and loses water easily

4.   It is not sticky when wet and cannot form cast

5.   It is well aerated with low water holding capacity

6.   Percolation in sandy soil is high but capillary is low

7.   Sandy soil is low in plant nutrients therefore it does not support crop cultivation

8.   Sandy soil has grey or brownish colour

METHODS OF IMPROVING SANDY SOIL

Sandy soil can be improved through the following agriculture practices:

1.   Planting of cover crops

2.   Application of compost manure

3.   Application of farm yard manure

4.   Mulching

5.   Avoidance of bush burning

PROPERTIES OF CLAY SOIL

1.   Clay particles are fine, powdery and smooth when dry

2.   The particles are sticky and muddy when wet

3.   Clay particles are closely packed together with little pore space

4.   Clay soil is poorly aerated with high water holding capacity

5.   It does not support leaching hence it contains plant nutrients.

6.   It is hard when dry and sticky when wet

7.   It can easily from cast when molded

8.   It supports water logging and erosion

9.   It has grey or brownish colour 

PROPERTIES OF LOAMY SOIL

1.   Loamy is moist, loose with moderated sized pore spaces

2.   The structure of loamy soil breaks easily when wet and friable

3.   It has non-powdery and non-sticky texture

4.   It can easily be cultivated or worked on

5.   It contains a lot of organic matter (humus)

6.   It does not support erosion and water logging

7.   It is well aerated and can hold water

8.   It is dark-brown or black in colour

9.   It has high content of nutrients and supports crop cultivation

SOIL COMPOSITION

The soil consists of major components namely:

1.   Mineral Matter : Different soil minerals such as Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Magnesium e.t.c

2.   Organic Matter: Dead and decayed plants and animals. Examples are: bones, feather, wings, shells of snails, flower etc.

3.   Soil Water: Water and others Solvents

4.   Soil Air: Air, Oxygen, Carbon e.t.c

 

SOIL TEXTURE

Soil texture can be defined as the degree of fineness or coarseness of soil particles when felt between fingers.

Also, Soil texture is the relative proportion of silt, sand and clay particles present in a given sample of soil.

METHODS OF DETERMINING SOIL TEXTURE

FEEL METHOD

This is the feeling of soil sample between fingers or the palm

WET METHOD

Under this method, a little water is added to the soil sample to make it wet and then feel it with fingers. Clay soil will stick, loamy soil will be very sticky and sandy soil will look moisturized (look wet).

LABORATORY METHOD

i.             Sedimentation

ii.           Sieving method

IMPORTANCE OF SOIL TEXTURE     

1.   It helps to determine the type of crop that will grow well on the land

2.   It also helps to determine the tillage practices required

3.   It is used to discover whether a particular soil is suitable for plant soil

4.   It helps to determine the type of crop that will grow well on the land

5.   It determines the ability of the soil to retain water

6.   It enables the farmer to know the type of soil available in his farmland

7.   It helps to determine the type of manure required

8.           It determine the relative resistance of soil to root penetration, under infiltration and air circulation

SOIL PROFILE

          This is the vertical cross-section cut through the soil which shows different horizontal layers of the soil called horizons. A good soil profile in an area of land has four distinct layers or horizon which are distinguished by colour or texture.

“A” Horizon is called top soil. It contains organic matters. It is dark in colour. It is the horizon of Alluviation.

Alleviation is the washing down of clay and aluminum minerals.

“B” horizon is called the top soil. It is very rich in clay and aluminum minerals because this is where the leached materials of “A” horizon is. Hence, it is known as the horizon of Elluviation.

Elluviation is the accumulation of minerals. It is brown or reddish orange.

“C” horizon is the zone of unconsolidated weathered material called the parents materials. The type of soil formed are the top soil and sub-soil.

(“A” and “B”) horizon depend on the parent materials on which they are derived or formed. This zone contains gravel and some coarse particles.

“D” horizon is called the bedrock which has never been disturbed by withering process. It is usually formed at the bottom of the soil profile.

IMPORTANCE OF SOIL PROFILE

1.   It helps the farmer to know the level of soil fertility

2.   It helps the farmer to know the type of crops that should be planted

3.   It determines the type of manure to use and the methods of application

4.   It helps to know the texture and colour of the soil

5.   It determines the depth and water retention capacity of the soil

SOIL STRUCTURE

          Soil structure is the arrangement of soil particles into aggregates. It is the way in which different particles of the soil are packed together and arranged. It can also be described as the physical appearance of the soil according to ways by which individual particles are held together.  

TYPES OF SOIL STRUCTURE

1.   Single – grained structure

2.   Platy or plate-like structure

3.   Blocky or block-like structure – There are two types they are:-

Blocky structure (Angular)       Crumb structure

 

Sub-angular Blocky structure         Single-granized             Car annular/spherical 

like structure                structure

 

Platy or plate like structure                      Prisonatic structure

 

Prism – like structure

IMPORTANCE OF SOIL STRUCTURE

1.   It determines the porosity and level of water retention

2.   It enables farmer to know the level of soil fertility

3.   It helps the farmer to know the type of crop that will do well on a particular soil

4.   It determines soil aeration and water movement in the soil

5.   It helps farmers to determine the types of manure to be applied

6.   It also helps to determine the tillage pratices to be adopted  

SIZES OF SOIL PARTICLES

          The various particles that make up a soil sample include:- gravel, sand, silt and clay. The sizes of these particles or soil fractions are used in the classification of soil texture e.g.

Soil particles	Sizes
clay	Below 0.0002mm
silt	0.002mm-0.02m
Fine sand	0.02mm-02mm
Coarse sand	0.2mm – 2.0mm
Gravel	Above 2.0mm