Farm Power and Machinery
Meaning
Farm Power: This refers to the energy used to perform various farm operations. The types of energy used include heat energy, electric energy, mechanical energy, chemical energy, and others.
Machinery
Machinery consists of devices that utilize different sources of power to release energy used in performing farm operations, such as planters and harvesters.
Sources of Power on the Farm
Power used on the farm includes the following sources:
(a) Human Power
This is farm power obtained from a healthy human being. A healthy person can produce approximately 0.1 kW of power.
Advantage: It is easily available and does not require fuel or complex maintenance.
Limitation / Disadvantage: Humans can easily become tired and have varying abilities to supply power.
Role: Human power can perform all farm tasks such as cultivation, weeding, and harvesting. Humans can also operate machines like tractors and guide draught animals. To produce power, humans use various farm tools and equipment such as hoes, axes, rakes, and hand sprayers.
(b) Animal Power
This power is produced by animals to facilitate work on the farm. Animals used for work are known as draught animals.
- Draught animals include donkeys, oxen, camels, and horses.
- They can produce between 2 to 4 kW of power over a given time.
- They work under human guidance to pull crops and transport inputs.
Harness: This is equipment fastened on the animal’s body to which farm implements are attached. The process of attaching implements to draught animals is called harnessing.
Tools and Implements Used for Draught Animals:
- Ox-cultivator – used for weeding between crop rows.
- Ox-ridgers – used for making ridges.
- Ox-plough (mouldboard) – used for tilling or opening up the land.
- Toolbar – used for attaching different animal-drawn implements.
- Cart – used for transporting inputs such as seeds and manure, as well as carrying harvested crops.
Advantage of Animal Power: It is inexpensive since no fuel or spare parts are required for repair and maintenance.
Disadvantages / Limitations of Animal Power:
Animals do not survive well in tsetse fly-infested areas. They are also ineffective on steep slopes and in heavy grassland.
(c) Machine Power
This includes engines that use fuel or oil as a source of energy to provide mechanical power, such as tractors.
Tractor
As a primary source of power, a tractor supplies power through:
- Pulling implements like ploughs and harrows that are hitched and drawn by the tractor.
- A P.T.O. (power take-off) shaft that conveys power to other implements such as rotary mowers and fertilizer distributors.
- Attaching a belt to a pulley to provide power to milling machines.
Operations
Machines can perform various operations including plowing, harrowing, planting, and harvesting.
Advantages
- Time-saving due to faster operation.
- Labour-saving by reducing manual effort.
Limitations
- Requires skilled labour to operate, repair, and maintain.
- Needs large capital investment for purchase, operation, repair, and maintenance.
Other Sources of Power
These sources are less common in farming but are adapted in some cases:
- Wind power
- Water power
- Solar power
- Biogas
- Charcoal
(e) Wind Power
Wind power is generated by an instrument called a windmill, which converts the kinetic energy of wind into mechanical energy of a rotating shaft.
Operations
- Windmills drive water pumps to supply water for irrigation, domestic use, and animal drinking.
- Windmills rotate generators to produce electricity.
- Windmills operate revolving machines such as milling machines.
Advantage: Wind power requires no fuel.
Limitation: It is weather-dependent, so power supply is unpredictable and depends on wind availability.
(f) Water Power
Water energy rotates turbine machines to produce electricity, known as hydroelectricity.
Operation
The power generated rotates turbines to produce electricity, which is widely used in farming activities and industries. Water mills are also used to grind grains such as maize.
Limitation: Power production can fluctuate due to changes in weather conditions.
(g) Solar Power
Solar power is derived from solar energy.
Operations
- Solar energy can be converted to heat energy for drying crops using solar dryers, heaters, and cookers.
- Solar energy can be directly converted to electricity by photovoltaic cells and stored in solar batteries.
- The electricity produced can be used for various farming activities such as operating water pumps.
Limitation
- Solar power is not continuous due to varying sunshine periods. Storage batteries are expensive and sometimes unavailable.
(h) Biogas
Biogas is a flammable gas called methane, produced through bacterial action on cellulose present in organic materials.
- The process occurs in a sealed container called a digester.
- Operations: Biogas can be used as cooking gas, for heating, and for lighting homes.
- Advantage: It is inexpensive to produce.
(i) Charcoal
Charcoal is used for cooking, ironing clothes, and running charcoal refrigerators.
Advantage: It is cheap and readily available.
Disadvantage: Its use encourages deforestation and leaves soot on cooking utensils.
The Role of Farm Power and Machinery
- Reduces the effects of pests, diseases, and weeds when farm machinery is used.
- Saves time by speeding up farm operations.
- Encourages human and industrial development through increased profits from mechanized agriculture.
- Saves labour by reducing manual effort.
- Increases total yield due to large-scale operations.
Farm Workshop
The farm workshop involves the practical application of workshop tools and equipment essential for farm maintenance and construction tasks.
I. Carpentry Equipment / Woodwork Tools
These include wood saws, wood chisels, rasp files, planes, mallets, hammers, G-clamps, drills, and others.
Application: These tools are used for making chairs, beds, doors, and window frames.
II. Simple Metal Sheets (Metalwork Tools)
Tools include hacksaws, drills, files, dividers, and similar equipment.
Application: These tools are used for making cooking pots, fitting metals, metal joints, dustbins, kerosene burner trays for drying crops, poultry drinkers, and more.
III. Simple Plumbing Work
Tools involved include pipe cutters, pipe stocks, pipe fittings, and others.
Application: These tools are used in the installation and repair of water pipes.
Farm Workshop Management
To ensure workshop activities proceed smoothly and consistently, proper management is essential. This includes:
(a) Cleanliness
- Keeping the workshop free of obstacles to prevent accidents.
- Cleaning by sweeping up all spilled oil and materials.
- Disposing of all rubbish properly into dustbins.
(b) Proper Arrangement of Tools and Equipment
Tools and equipment should be stored in designated places such as toolboxes to maintain order and ease of access.
(c) Protective Measures
Measures should be taken to prevent hazards by regularly checking machines and addressing breakdowns promptly.
(d) Provision of Enough Light and Ventilation in the Workshop
Adequate lighting and ventilation are necessary to create a safe and comfortable working environment, reducing the risk of accidents and health issues.
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