THE CONCEPT, SCOPE, AND BENEFITS OF FARM MECHANIZATION

FARM MECHANIZATION

Farm mechanization may be defined as the application of engineering principles and technology in agricultural production, storage and processing on the farm. Where these activities and applications are not limited within boundaries of the farm unit , the wider term agricultural mechanization is used .

Farm work is physically demanding and the working conditions are often harsh. It’s less strenuos to drive a tractor than to till the soil with a spade all day long. a tractor pulling a plough can cultivate a large area than a human with a spade in the same amount of time, there by increasing productivity and timeliness. Timeliness is an important factor in agricultural production . completing certain farming operations such as planting and harvesting in a timely manner increases yields and improves profitability.

Farming operations are seasonal with fluctuation in labour demand. More labour is needed during planting and harvesting than during other periods of plant growth. This fluctuation in labour demand creates labour management problems. With mechanization, it is possible to reduce peak labour demand and maintain a stable labour force on the farm.

Farm mechanization is not merely the use of tractors and motorized equipments in farming, but rather a process of improving and modernizing farming operations and farm implements, engine powered equipments and other technological devices such as electric motors, pumps, solar driers, silos, irrigation and drainage equipments.

BENEFITS OF FARM MECHANIZATION

The following are  the benefits of farm mechanization;

·        Mechanization will boost the food production which will lead to exportation of the excess in the production so as to generate income for the country through foreign exchange earnings.

·        Farm mechanization had improved the level of information dissemination within and outside agriculture .

·        Farm mechanization reduces drudgery in farm work

·        Farm mechanization improves the productivity of farm workers.

·        Farm mechanization increases the timeliness and quality of farm work

 SUGGESTIONS FOR THE PROMOTION OF FARM MECHANIZATION IN NIGERIA. 

Farm mechanization in Nigeria is faced with a lot of challenges and amongst them are;

·        Lack of awareness of rural farmers about how to practice mechanized farming

·        Lack of necessary funds to carry out mechanized farming by rural farmers.

·        Unavailability of effective land acquisition laws for carrying out mechanized farming.

SUGGESTIONS AND RECCOMENDATIONS FOR PROMOTING FARM MECHANIZATION

·        Provision and introduction of proper framework, aiding land acquisition for rural farmers to practice mechanized farming.

·        Provision of proper credit facilities to aid farmers who want to practice the often expensive mechanized farming and do not have the resources.

·        Establishment of good roads in rural areas to allow for easy transportation of tractors and other machines.

·        Improvement of laws guiding owners of machineries.

·        The government should employ more extension workers who would be charged with the responsibility of guiding farmers on how to go about mechanized farming.

LIMITING FACTORS OF FARM MECHANIZATION

The following are some of the common limiting factors of farm mechanization;

·        Traditional basic cultivation patterns and mind set in different social and ecological conditions vary.

·        Underestimation of the real importance of agriculture in the industrialized economics.

·        Another limiting factor is that modern economics and management theory have encouraged a short term and reductionist view of farm mechanization.

·        Another limiting factor is the capital expenditure needed to carry out mechanized farming. Mechanized agriculture is often very expensive to practice and so therefore it is not easy for rural farmers to practice.

·        Another limiting factor is the lack of  technical knowledge on the part of local farmers on the operation of machines and tractors.

REFERENCES

De, Dipankar (1998). Research on Energy Requirement in Agricultural Sector under AICRP on ERAS. Agricultural Engineering Today Vol. 22(3-4): 60-85.

Singh, G and Singh, R.C. (2003) Harnessing Animal Power. Technical Bulletin, CIAE Bhopal.

Anonymous (2002). Production and sale of tractors. Agricultural Engineering Today Vol 26(1-2).

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Esimi J. Sezuo Lecture Note On Farm Mechanization II