THE ROLE OF AGRICULTURAL ENGINEERING IN NATIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

INTRODUCTION – AGRICULTURAL ENGINEERING

Agricultural engineering is the application of engineering principles to any process associated with producing agriculturally based goods and management of our natural resources. The discipline concerns itself with development of labour-saving, farm machines, farm buildings, irrigation and drainage systems, and processes for preserving and converting agricultural products to useful feed, and fibre products. Thus we can see that contrary to the erroneous understanding of many people, agricultural engineering is not synonymous to tractorization. Why people have thought that agricultural engineering is synonymous to tractorization is because the earliest engineering intervention had much to do with the reduction of drudgery with the use of tractor, for a very long time. 

Agricultural engineers must have a wealth of knowledge and skills to function effectively in the multiplicity of the agricultural and agribusiness industries. The agricultural engineer helps to make farming sustainable, safe, and environmentally friendly. They analyze agricultural operations and weigh the use of new technologies and methods to increase yields, improve land use, and conserve resources like seed, water, fertilizers, pesticides and fuel. The engineer recommends strategies to protect the health, safety and security of worker’s, animals and agricultural products.

Agriculture engineers find better ways to reduce crop loss from field damage, during handling, sorting, packing and processing. The warehousing of food and fiber are an important part of the agriculture industry. The agricultural engineer is the person who plans the heating, cooling, ventilation, postharvest handling, logistics and more.

Agricultural engineers develop methods and design equipment for land preparation, planting and harvesting. They incorporate automation, precision and smart technologies “intelligence” to new and existing equipment. Sensors (including biosensors) are combined with microcomputers, controllers, artificial intelligence and other software, to optimize efficiency, sustainability, and the reliability of our food, feed, fiber and fuel economy.

Agricultural engineers may perform tasks such as planning, supervising and managing the building of dairy effluent schemes, irrigation, drainage, flood and water control systems, performing environmental impact assessments, agricultural product processing and interpret research results and implement relevant practices. A large percentage of agricultural engineers work in academia or for government agencies such as the United States Department of Agriculture or state agricultural extension services. Some are consultants, employed by private engineering firms, while others work in industry, for manufacturers of agricultural machinery, equipment, processing technology, and structures for housing livestock and storing crops. Agricultural engineers work in production, sales, management, research and development, or applied science.

CONCEPT OF AGRICULTURAL ENGINEERING

Man was created with a catalogue of materials of both living and non-living things intended to provide comfort for him. Man’s ability to recognize this fact cannot be underestimated, and thus the expertise to harness the relevant materials in engineering to bring about this comfort. Because each of the catalogues of human problem and desires would require a unique approach to solving it, it will therefore require the use of many engineering branches. Some of which are Building, Civil, Electrical, and Mechanical engineering. The problems often encountered in Agriculture are such that the expertise of a single branch of engineering, some of which is outlined above, is insufficient to provide the needed solution. The expertise of more than one of the branches and varied combinations may be required to solve such a problem. It is for this reason that agricultural engineering emerged. Agricultural Engineering is therefore the application of any or all branches of engineering knowledge to the extent that such knowledge may be used in farming in all its ramifications and in rural living.

OBJECTIVE OF AGRICULTURAL ENGINEERING

The overall objectives of Agricultural Engineering is to provide a conducive working environment for the farmer and assure him that there is dignity in farming, improve his economic situation and make food available in adequate quantity and quality at the right time of need and at a reasonable cost to consumers. These objectives are pursued through one or more of the following:

     i.        Reduction in farm hazards: The causes of these hazards are identified and solutions given. This ensures that the farmers labour is not in vain.

  ii.        Reduction of drudgery in agricultural operations: Agricultural engineering intervention is to develop machines and equipment that can be used in performing agricultural operations to reduce stress on farmers.

  iii.        Ensuring the availability of agricultural products all year-round: To meet all year-round demand of seasonal crops, they have to be processed and stored. Structures for long – term storage have to be built.

  iv.        Enhancement of the quality of life for the farmer. Agricultural engineering provides conveniences on the farm, such conveniences include farm houses, good farm roads etc.

OPTIONS IN AGRICULTURAL ENGINEERING

Agricultural Engineering embraces a variety of speciality areas. As new challenges, technology and information emerges, speciality areas are transformed, new ones re created, with many overlapping with one or more other areas. Areas of specialization of Agricultural Engineering include:

    i.        Farm Power and Machinery Engineering: This aspect of Agricultural Engineering deals with the design, maintenance and repairs of plant and machineries, transporting and processing machines for biological materials, other power units such as water pumps, electric power generation sets, small engines etc.

  ii.        Structures and Environmental Engineering: This aspect deals with the development of farmstead and infrastructures which include farm houses, access roads, animal housing, green houses, storage structures and water handling facilities such as dams and canals.

iii.        Soil and Water Engineering: Where does water go after it falls on the soil? This aspect deals with the recommendation of good soil and water conservation practices, design and management of irrigation, drainage and erosion control. This know-how is used to ensure soil conservation and enable crops grow more efficiently while reducing erosion and protecting water quality.

 iv.        Crop Processing and Storage Engineering: Over thirty percent (30%) of produce of various agricultural crops are lost annually during storage and processing because the experts in crop processing and storage are not engaged in the agro-industries. This option therefore, deals in the design, construction and maintenance of crop processing and storage equipment and systems.

   v.        Food Engineering: This is a specialized area dealing with processes and machinery required for processing agricultural products into food

The discipline of Agricultural Engineering is currently undergoing major and important changes as it responds to perturbations in the global economy. These changes are as a result of some technologies that are still unfolding. These Emerging Technologies include; Information Technology; Biotechnology; Environmental Engineering and Renewable Energy.

APPLICATION OF AGRICULTURAL ENGINEERING

The description of Agricultural Engineering plays a pivotal and important role in the development of Nigeria. These are in the areas of food security, reduction of drudgery in agricultural work, rural infrastructural development, soil and water resources management, environmental management, improvement in the quality of life of farmers, sustainable agriculture and industrial development.

Agricultural engineering graduates have in the past found jobs in the following areas of economy; Government, Self-employment, Educational Institutions, Research and development Institution, International Organizations and other areas not usually recognized by employers of labour.

THE ROLE OF AGRICULTURAL ENGINEERING IN NATIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

    i.          Food Security: Food security has recently become an important concept in sub-Saharan Africa. For Nigeria, the idea of food security revolves around ensuring that there is readily available food in the right quantity and quality and at an affordable price.

Food security can only be achieved if the food is produced in abundant quantity and in fact at commercial scale. Even when food is abundantly produced, if it is not taken care of, most of it will be lost to deterioration.

The Federal Government and some States in Nigeria have recognized the need to ensure food security and so they established a number of institutions to ensure food security. These include the Federal Strategic Food Reserve under the Federal Ministry pf Agriculture and other parastatals in the Ministry. In all these areas, Agricultural Engineering principles are practiced to ensure that there is adequate supply of food all year round.

  ii.          Reduction of Drudgery in Agricultural Work: The traditional farming method and system in Nigeria is characterised by the use of primitive tools and technology. These include the hoe, machete, and axe. A visit to any rural farming community will reveal how tedious it is to work with hand tools. For toiling under the sun for hours, most farmers can only cover a few fraction of a hectare. The drudgery involved in Nigerian traditional agricultural system can be seen on the faces and body of farmers.

With the introduction of machines, tedious operations hitherto handled by man are mechanised. Operating machines is less tedious than manual operations. The reduction in drudgery that comes with the introduction of machine makes agricultural work to be more attractive to the younger generation. This has a number of implications including a reduction in rural-urban migration, and improved dignity of the agricultural worker.

iii.          Rural Infrastructural Development: Most large-scale agricultural development programmes involve the development of basic rural infrastructure. These infrastructures include water, roads, electricity, schools, markets, energy supply systems, maintenance systems, processing systems and waste management and control systems. When these infrastructures are provided for the farm, the rural population benefits.

Thus, agricultural engineering has been referred to as a catalyst for rural infrastructural development. This is because with the development of the infrastructure listed above, the standard of living of rural dwellers is improved as they have access to basic necessities of life.

 iv.          Natural Resources Conservation: The natural resources on which the practice of agriculture is based are soil, water and air. One of the important roles of agricultural engineering is to ensure an optimum management of these resources. This will ensure that these resources are conserved. If soil and water resources are used without conservation, then one day, the resources will deplete to a point where they can no longer support plant and animal life.

Soil and Water Engineering option in Agricultural Engineering ensures that soil and water are conserved and reclaimed where necessary. Agricultural Engineering practices such as conservation tillage, terracing, erosion control, etc, are used for soil and water conservation. These are practised by Agricultural Engineers in many institutions in Nigeria including the River Basin Development Authorities and Agricultural Development Projects.

   v.          Environmental Management: A major area of Agricultural Engineering deals with environmental management. The control and hence management of the environment is achieved in different area. First, is the control of the environment (moisture, temperature, humidity, etc) of the environment of animals and crops. Agricultural Engineering provides required environmental conditions for the growth of animals and crops. After harvest, technologies are provided for managing the environments under storage. The second aspect of environmental control and management involves solid and liquid waste disposal. Agriculture produces waste in different forms – animal dung, crop residue, damaged food etc. the practice of engineering in agriculture provides the techniques for managing these wastes by recycling and converting some of them to useful products.

The third area of environmental management includes the control of the use of natural resources, forestry and horticulture where machines and systems are provided for environmental beautification.

 vi.          Quality of Life of Farmers: With the practice of agricultural engineering the quality of life of farmers is improved. Engineering in agriculture comes with it, mechanization of production. For mechanization to succeed, it has to be practiced on relatively large-scale farms. This results in farmers shifting from subsistence to commercial farming. With the scale of production increased, farmers can make more profits. More profits mean that they can have more disposable income, which they can invest in other areas of economic venture. In addition, they can now buy what they need to live decent lives and improve on their standard of living. This is the main goal of any national development strategy.

vii.          Sustainable Agriculture: A sustainable agricultural system is one that operates in such a way that the ability of future generations to operate is not compromised. Sustainable agriculture is therefore practiced in such a way the future generations can practice their own agriculture. In other words, the resources used for agriculture should be used in such a way that they are not depleted to a point where they cannot support agriculture for future generations. Agricultural Engineering provides technologies for conserving resources (Soil, Water, Energy and Funds) while producing enough food for the present generation. This is achieved through optimization techniques, which Agricultural engineering offers.

viii.          Industrial Development: When engineering is applied in agriculture, more food is produced and the variety and type of food increase. It means there will be more food in the economy than what is needed for consumption. This situation fuels the development of industries for processing the excess food into industrial raw materials either for local consumption or foe export. For example, it is now common knowledge that cassava is processed into industrial raw materials of different forms. With industries springing up, more employment opportunities are created and government revenue improves through more tax revenue. Thus, this can lead to a buoyant economy and citizens that are more gainfully employed.

ix.          Job creation: Agricultural engineering provides job opportunities to thousands of employee in Nigeria which has impacted positively on the economic development of Nigeria economy. The following are areas in agricultural engineering provides enormous career opportunities   

a.   Government Ministries: Nigeria operates three tiers of government, namely, federal, state, and local government. Each of these tiers of government operates ministries where agricultural engineers are employed. At the federal level these include Ministries of Agriculture, Water Resources, Environment, Science and Technology. Each of the Ministries has departments under which many Agricultural Engineers are contributing their quota towards national development. At the state and local government levels, similar ministries exist and each of them has an engineering division.

b.   Government Parastatals: There are many government agencies, which are supervised by some ministries or are directly supervised by the Chief Executives of the states or at the federal level by the Presidency. Some of these have been phased out but many of them are still operational and since their services are agricultural based, they employ agricultural engineers. These include Tractor and Equipment Hiring companies, Environmental Protection Agencies in the state and federal level, National Centre for Agricultural Mechanization, River Basin Development Authorities, Erosion and Flood Control Programmes, etc.

c.   Private Companies and Industries: In the private sector, there are many opportunities for Agricultural Engineers in the service and production industry. In this sector, there are companies who provide agricultural services with engineering content. These include companies involved in the marketing and maintenance of agricultural machinery, agrochemicals and provision of agricultural services of different forms. Companies of this category include Tractor and Equipment (Division of UAC), Diezengoff, Leventies Technical, etc, and a host of other smaller indigenous companies. In the production sector, there are food processing companies and equipment manufacturing companies, flour mills, rice mills, tractor assembly plants, beverage manufacturers, confectionaries manufacturers etc.

d.   Educational Institution: Educational institutions in Nigeria include Colleges of Agriculture, Education, and Technology. There are also Polytechnics and Universities. Some of these Institutions have Department of Agricultural Engineering as well as Farm Operation Centre where Agricultural Engineers are employed.

e.   Research and Development Institution: There are many Research and Development (R&D) institutions in Nigeria. Under the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, there are over 18 Agricultural research Institutes. Each of the institute has an Agricultural Engineering Department as well as a field demonstration farm and industrial development units where the Agricultural Engineer works.

f.    Self Employment: Self employment is an area that has not been fully explored or exploited by Agricultural Engineers. Opportunities exist in consultancy field in almost all government parastatals and the NGOs, as well as companies in the private sector. These include all areas of project feasibility, implementation, monitoring and evaluation. Many food processing industries need agricultural raw materials, which can be supplied by Agricultural Engineers, especially those interested in post harvest systems. There are also wide ranges of opportunities in storage.

g.   Other areas: There are other areas of employment, which are usually not recognized by employers of labour. Usually, the tendency by Human Resources Personnel in companies is to exclude agricultural engineering discipline when they are looking for staff, even in areas where agricultural engineers by their training will do better than other engineers. For example, in a recent advertisement for jobs by Niger Delta Development Commission, Agricultural Engineering was not listed. Yet the Commission’s business is to develop an area where 95% of the inhabitants are farmers.

SUMMARY

 Agricultural engineering is the application of engineering principles to any process associated with producing agriculturally based goods and management of our natural resources.  Agricultural engineering is more than just tractorisation. Agricultural Engineering is a build-up of other engineering disciplines. There are numerous objectives that Agricultural engineering aims to achieve and have contributed enormously for national economic development in the area of food production, employment opportunities, industrial development, sustainable agriculture, quality of life of farmers, environmental management, natural resources conservation, rural infrastructural development, reduction of drudgery in agricultural work, food security etc.

CONCLUSION

Agricultural Engineering is the bedrock of agricultural development and its neglect is a potential threat to the future survival of any country. Most of the countries who in recent times cried out for international aids are where the agricultural system has failed either due to drought, insect invasion or low agricultural input. Interestingly, most of these problems are what agricultural engineering as a profession could have arrested given the facilities and challenges. The profession has great potentials to solve most of the problems facing agriculture especially in developing countries.

 

REFERENCES

1.   Mijinyawa, Y. (2005). Agricultural Engineering Education in Nigeria. Agricultural Engineering International: the CIGR Ejournal. Invited Overview Paper No. 10. Vol. VII, August 2005.

2.   Onwualu, A.P. (ed) (2001). Agricultural Engineering Practice in Nigeria: Nigerian Institute of Agricultural Engineers (NIAE) book of achievement. Publ. NIAE (A division of the Nigerian Society of Engineers).

3.   Onwualu, A.P. (ed) (2001). Agricultural Engineering Practice in Nigeria: Nigerian Institute of Agricultural Engineers (NIAE) book of achievement. Publ. NIAE (A division of the Nigerian Society of Engineers).

4.   Brown, R.H. (ed). (1988). CRC handbook of engineering in agriculture. Boca Raton, FL.: CRC Press. ISBN 0-8493-3860-3.

5.   Field, H. L., Solie, J. B., & Roth, L. O. (2007). Introduction to agricultural engineering technology: a problem solving approach. New York: Springer. ISBN 0-387-36913-9.