FARM MECHANIZATION: A FUTURE BEYOND HOE AND CUTLASS

Damn! These days I end up with back pain and stiffened muscles. Hardly can I type a word but gratefully I’m strong enough to be here again. Welcome to my blog, I hope I keep up with the pace of educating you on AGRICULTURE. I also appreciate everyone who appreciated my post via comments and upvote – I love you all, In case this your first time, kindly check out my old posts but please after today’s session.

So let’s begin but at a slow but steady pace because I mentioned something about a back pain earlier. Won’t you ask why?

Farm stress this days are killing! I wonder how my grandfather got used to that anyway using zero implements all year round. I for one cannot bear this any longer no wonder Nigerian youths are running away from agriculture which commands high importation of produce. The future can still be saved provided we adopt MECHANIZATION - gratefully we have engineers capable of giving us that.
Farm Mechanization – the solution we need.

In Agriculture, this can be defined as the use of farm machinery for production process . Imagine I am to cultivate 100 hectares of land (commercial farming), how many manpower, time or resources will I put in place? Definitely beyond what I can chew and if the input doesn’t match the profit at the end of the day – wasted effort!

The production process in agriculture which involves Tillage (primary and secondary), Application of fertilizer, Planting, Pesticide/Herbicide/Insecticide application, Harvesting operations, transportation (in-situ and external), storage facilities and other post harvesting operations . No wonder Nigeria is below production in the agricultural sector despite the flowing honey and milk!

Old people are not strong enough to carry on while youths can’t farm without machines!

There is a set of machine assigned to each duty to enhance convenience at the push of a button – little or no stress required, lesser time spent and it saves resources.

Let’s highlight some benefits of Mechanization

Firstly, Production will be increased. There will be enough to eat without the need to import much and food produce will be at lesser price. Secondly, Production processes will be easier (From Pre production to Post harvesting operations) and this will enhance high profits. I’m sure we know they are time savers with efficiency in production process with lesser manpower. Lastly, It also helps in large or commercial production.

There are problems associated too

For every advantage there comes disadvantage. Although Mechanization is good, it has some loopholes like increase in unemployment rate – this is caused because manpower has been replaced with machines. Secondly, the cost of purchase and maintenance of machines are high and costly. Due to little or no capital, engaging in mechanization remains a major factor but considering that it has more impact on livelihood, the problems can be tackled easily.
Types of Machinery – let’s see which you can afford!
Like I stated earlier, every operation has its own tool which enhances production. But above all, there is one Prime mover which caps them all. Slow and steady, let’s begin.

The Tractor

This remains a big factor over time. A tractor is “a prime mover used to generate or engage in any farm operation.” It has about 50 Horsepower capacity with a Power Take Off shaft that serves as rotary power. Other agricultural machinery can also be attached e.g. Sheller, Threshers, Winnowers, Plough, Harrow and so on.

Did you know? The word tractor means “to pull”

Maintenance of tractor
Do enact this daily routine after each use to ensure your machine lasts long. Ensure water is present in the radiator and avoid leakage, tighten the belt, seal the radiator cap as tight as possible with the oil level duly checked. Lastly, park under a shed after usage and observe the tire pressure.


Selecting your tractors
Tractors can be classified based on their structures. Depending on your purpose of usage, they include: General purpose ; They are used for operations like ploughing, harrowing, sowing, harvesting and transportation. They usually have high engine power and wide tyres to carry the load while Row crop are used in crop cultivation. They have different driving wheels and size and unlike General purpose they are higher to the ground. Finally Special purpose are tractors used for a specific task like marshy and hillsides.

BULLDOZERS

The name sounds as heavy as the machine itself. They are used in land clearing, levelling and shallow digging. Purchasing this machine every time it’s faulty might cost a lifetime thus proper maintenance is necessary. Daily routine checks are necessary which includes checking the oil level, chain and other parts including the engine. Check for loose bolts and tighten the chains to avoid causing disruption while working. The electrical system too is quite necessary and don’t hesitate to visit your engineer for minor and major faults.

Uses of Bulldozer can’t be underestimated in Agricultural Mechanization, imagine the number of labourers that will be employed to clear thick vegetations like Forest . Large trees like Iroko, Albezia spp, Mahogany, _Leucocena leucocephala_, _Enterolobium cyclocarpum_ etc will have to be fell and thick bushes with thorns and spikes await the labourers. For this reasons, bulldozers are quite indispensable in Mechanization. Are we together?

A bulldozer cannot sink in mud due to its firm on the ground. And don’t forget that they have blades right in front of them.

I hope you can distinguish them better now? Let’s move on…

THE PLOUGH

This instrument is usually coupled to a tractor with the primary function of loosening the soil for easy cultivation. During the period of my grandfather before ploughs were adopted hoes were used but afterwards the use of animals was considered for large scale farming. The plough would be attached to the back of a horse, cattle or ox and it is pulled but as revolution sets in the use of animals became archaic though it is still adopted on small farms globally.

Did you know? The plough is one of the best innovation and invention in agriculture.

Still on ploughs, they are used in bringing nutrients hidden in the soil to upper surface known as Top soil. It buries weed under the soil, destroys build up insects and parasites, allows for proper aeration and finally allows seed to easily enter the soil. But most times, they result in erosion and damage of soil structure.

Types of Plough

• Mouldboard Plough : this is best for areas with thick vegetation and high weeds as they are very active in turning the soil and levels the furrow accordingly.
• Disc Plough : It is disc-like just like the name implies- concave shape. They are usually slow and are best to reduce friction and are used for dry or muddy land unlike mouldboard ploughs.
• The third type is called Rotary plough and are meant for specific purposes. They are best for making seedbed.
• Lastly, we have Chisel Plough and are preferred for Shallow soils . It is best used on fresh vegetation yet to be used in farming.
  We are mechanically progressing…
  

  HARROW

This is also coupled to the tractor. They are basically used for breaking up and soil levelling but mostly it is carried out after ploughing. Harrowing break up the soil and smoothen the soil structure for a very smooth surface.

Types of Harrow

• Disc Harrow: They are usually concave in shape and are used in breaking up the soil
• Tine Harrow: Example involves Spring tooth harrow; they are used for smooth seedbed and enhancing soil aeration
• Chain Harrow: They are used for large soil majorly for levelling
• Chain disc Harrow: They are faster and used for breaking soil lumps.
  For an enhanced pasture production, Harrowing is important for better aeration and passage of water.
  

  RIDGER

  
  Just like every other ones mentioned above, it is coupled to a tractor and its operation comes up immediately after ploughing and harrowing. It creates ridges on a prepared farm and most of all averts the occurrence of erosion. And are of two types which include “mouldboard and disc ridger”.
  

  SPRAYER

I’m sure you know what they do already. There is always need to fumigate a field (Pre or Post Planting). Herbicides, Pesticides, Insecticides, fertilizer and so on are used by a sprayer for easy and equal distribution. For large scale production, the use of “Boom sprayer or trailed sprayer” and are usually coupled to a tractor. But for small scale production, the use of “Knapsack sprayer” – usually in portable size like a bag pack.


Maintenance of a sprayer
Grease bolt and other joints, clean and empty the tank after use, check all parts (Pre and Post usage) and ensure to empty all the chemicals

PLANTER

Just like the above mentioned; a Planter is also coupled to a tractor. You can see that the usefulness of a tractor in Agricultural Mechanization cannot be underestimated but nonetheless it can be attached to animals. As the name implies, it is used in sowing seeds on the field or pasture land. They sow (plant) seeds in a uniform way.

Maintenance of a Planter
Remove dirt after use, check for wear and tear of any part, grease all joints regularly and park under shed after use.

HARVESTER

From the name, I’m sure the use is familiar. They are mainly used to harvest crops on a farm. They come in various types and has specific use; they include Corn harvester which is used in reaping mature cobs, Forage Harvester which is used in making silages and Mower which is used in clearing weeds in the neighbourhood.





IMPACT OF MECHANIZATION Across the world right now, I’m sure there’s one significant thing a nation can point to – courtesy of agriculture. Nigeria for instance has enjoyed notable establishment from agriculture which includes “The Cocoa House” in Ibadan, “Kano Groundnut Pyramid”, “MOOR Plantation establishment” amongst others. I’m sure by now, we can agree Agricultural Mechanization is the key . Nigeria has over 50million hectare of fertile land for planting and is amongst one of the largest importer of agricultural produce – What a shame! Whereas mechanization can bring about increased productivity, quality produce and a firm GDP with no recession. By now, I’m sure you can point one or two things you’ve heard about in respect to agriculture and I hope you can picture a future of a nation who relies solely on this gift.

CONCLUSION Mechanization has a great impact on our environment, beyond what we can overlook or underestimate. It’s need grows everyday like wildfire and I fear for under developed countries who are yet to adopt this great revolution. Agriculture is beyond the “Zero-implement” (Hoe and cutlass) regime and if not properly treated, can be disastrous on a country. I hope Nigerian government and Private company holders will do well to improve the Nigerian Agricultural sector by enhancing and promoting mechanization; if not, then I fear for the coming generations.

Thank you.

REFERENCES
AGRICULTURAL MECHANIZATION by Dr. Dada P.O.O and Dr. O. J. Adeosun (Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta)
TARAHAT
PENANYSIS
CINFORES

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