Scribd
Upload
16 views

Farm Mechanization

Agriculture

Uploaded by

Haitao Jiang
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
16 views

Farm Mechanization

Agriculture

Uploaded by

Haitao Jiang
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 2

Farm Mechanization

What is farm mechanization?

Farm Mechanization refers to the application of engineering principles and technology in agricultural
production. It is the use of machines such as tractors, ploughs, harvesters, harrow, planter etc. as well as
the use of farm inputs such as insecticides, improved seeds, fertilizer etc.

The objective of mechanization is to:

reduce human labour (that is to reduce drudgery)

increase efficiency

save cost (in the long run)

save time

improve the standard of living by improving the quality and quantity of products available.

Advantages of farm mechanization

It ensures that farm operations are done and completed within a shortest possible time

It saves labour that could otherwise be useful elsewhere.

It reduces health hazards and accidents that can occur from using tools.

It reduces drudgery.

It encourages large scale farming hence increasing output.

It promotes specialization of labour for example machines operators become specialists in the machines
they handle.

It increases cooperation among farmers such as enabling them to put their resources together to buy
machines and use them on a rotational basis thereby making them united.

It on the long run saves labour cost, wastage, reduces errors and spoilage thereby leading to an increase
in income (saved cost).

Disadvantages of farm mechanization

It involves a huge capital investment.


With mechanization very few workers are needed which renders other labourers unemployed.

The movement of heavy-duty machines on land leads to compaction of the soil.

The smoke from the exhaust of machines can cause air pollution.

Due to small landholdings as a result of the system of land tenure, use of machinery is not encouraged
(e.g. communal land tenure).

Continuous usage of machines on the soil tends to destroy the soil structure.

Very few crops like maize, rice etc. can be mechanized.

Limitation of farm mechanization

Inadequate spare parts.

Farmers are generally poor, cannot afford to buy machines like tractors etc.

There is inadequate technical know-how on how to operate and repair farm machines.

As a result of the small area of land cultivation, it is not economically advisable for farmers to use
machines on their farm. This problem is created by a land tenure system.

Seasonality of farm operation: Machines may be left unused because of seasonality nature of farming.

Uneven land terrain makes it difficult to operate farm machines.

Inadequate storage and processing facilities discourage large scale production.

Prospects of mechanization

Farmers should be educated to accept the modern system of mechanization.

Provision of loans to enable farmers to purchase farm machines.

Farmers should pool their resources together to buy farm machines.

Land tenure system should be reviewed to make land available for farming.

Simple and less expensive machines should be developed for a farmer to acquire.

There should be engineering personnel trained to work on machines.

You might also like