advantages and disadvantages of mechanized agriculture. definition of mechanized agriculture. importance of mechanized agriculture. using modern technology and machines known as farm implement to boost the quality and production crop.
machines like tractors, and other machine coupled implement are used instead of manual labor.
haven looked at what is mechanized agriculture, let me walk you through the advantages and disadvantages of using modern machinery for farming activities.
firstly let’s try and figure out mechanized agriculture works before looking at the advantages and disadvantages of it.
Meaning of Mechanized agriculture
Mechanization is concerned with the use of machines in farm
work.
The introduction of machines into farming has enabled, for instance, land clearing to be carried out more easily with the bulldozer. read my post on cultural practices here
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1. clearing of land is done with the cutlass, digging of the land with hoe and, planting with cutlass…… use of cutlass here,,,,, and trowel
Mechanized agriculture, which involves the use of machines and technology in farming, has both advantages and disadvantages. Here are some of the pros and cons of this method:
Pros of mechanized agriculture:
- Increased Efficiency: Mechanized agriculture allows for faster and more efficient farming, which can lead to higher yields and greater output.
- Reduced Labor Costs: By relying on machines, farmers can reduce their reliance on manual labor, which can lower labor costs and make farming more profitable.
- Improved Safety: Mechanized agriculture can reduce the risk of injury to farmers by reducing the need for manual labor, such as manual planting, tilling, and harvesting.
- Better Quality Crops: Mechanized farming allows for precise control over planting and harvesting, which can lead to higher quality crops.
Cons of mechanized agriculture:
- High Initial Investment: Mechanized agriculture requires significant investment in machines and technology, which can be a barrier to entry for small farmers.
- Dependence on Fossil Fuels: Mechanized agriculture relies heavily on fossil fuels, which can be expensive and subject to price fluctuations.
- Environmental Impacts: The use of machines in agriculture can have negative impacts on the environment, such as soil erosion and the release of greenhouse gases.
- Job Losses: The use of machines in farming can lead to job losses in rural areas, as manual labor is reduced.
- Disadvantages for Small Farmers: Small farmers may not have the resources to invest in the technology and machinery needed for mechanized agriculture, which can put them at a disadvantage compared to larger operations.
In conclusion, while mechanized agriculture has the potential to bring benefits such as increased efficiency and reduced labor costs, it also has the potential for negative consequences such as environmental impacts, job losses, and disadvantages for small farmers.
Advantages of mechanized agriculture and farm mechanization
this post is tailored towards letting you to the various advantages and disadvantages of mechanized agriculture (a) farm mechanization removes the difficulty in farming. Farm work is considered by people to be very hard. The use of machines therefore makes farming enjoyable.
(b) Large areas of farm land can be prepared within a very short time using large farm implement . This means that mechanization saves time.
(c) farm mechanization allows the farmer to perform some difficult jobs easily; for example, the felling of trees is easily done with the motor-saw instead of the axe and cutlass.
(d) another advantage of mechanized agriculture is that Mechanization saves labour. Very few laborers are required when machines are employed on the farm in mechanized agriculture. although there are advantages and disadvantages of mechanized agriculture but it seems that the advantages surpasses the disadvantages of using mechanical instruments for farming activities
(e) an added advantage of mechanized agriculture increases farm productivity because of large cope operation. Increased productivity leads to higher farm income and standard of living.
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(f) The cost of using machines on the farm is cheaper in the long run compared with the cost of farm-labour that is always rising.
(g) mechanization prevents bad agricultural practices such as completely burning all vegetation on new farmland.
In addition, large are of farm land can still be cultivated by the farmer during one cropping season in a mechanized system of farming
(h) machines enables the farmers to use surplus farm products profitably, For example, the crop dryer allows quick and easy drying of crop product such as rice, maize, sorghum and wheat.
Crop product can be processed into different products, more acceptable to consumers. In addition, surplus perishable products such as tomatoes, vegetables, milk and meat can be stored for a long time using the refrigerator and cold storage.
(i) The use of machines in farming may attract young and educated persons to take up farming as- an- occupation.
(j) The mechanisation of farming may release some workers formerly engaged in farming to take up jobs in Agro-allied industries in urban centres.
Disadvantages of mechanized agriculture and farm mechanization
(a) Many of the farm- workers will be jobless. With the use of machines in farming, the work that can be done by many workers be carried out by very few. farm hands. The others need to be retained before they can fit into new jobs.
(b) The use of heavy machine. such as the bulldozers and- tractors soil structure. This may result in soil erosion caused by water.
(c) The environment is polluted because of the use of machines. The exhaust from motor-vehicles and scraps from machines and result in environmental pollution.
(d) The use of heavy machines leads to soil compaction. The continuos use of tillage implements results in the development or hard soil layer below the soil surface. This reduces water inhlliation in the soil as well as crops roots penetration.
(e) Mechanization has directed production to those crops that are mechanized such as rice, maize, and few others. The production of crops such as coco-yam and yam that are not easily produced with the aid of machines is therefore declining yearly.
(f) Machinery requires large capital investment. Only farmers that have enough money will be able to acquire machines.
(g) The use of machines in farming requires adequate and continuos supply of energy from fuel and electricity.
Problems will arise if the supply is not enough, or is lacking.
advantages and disadvantages of mechanized agriculture and farm mechanization in Africa
(a) Farm holdings are very small: farm mechanization is only suitable with large farm holdings.
(b) Most of the farmers poor. Tractors and other farm machines are costly and many farmers cannot buy them.
(c) Nigerian soils contain large tree stumps, roots and stones. These breakdown farm machines and render them useless. Also the presence of small hills, pits and moats makes the land rugged and unsuitable for machines and so this are some of the advantages and disadvantages of mechanized agriculture
(d) There is lack of adequate facilities for the maintenance of farm machines. The result is that machines can be rendered useless because of minor faults.
(e) The people that have skills to operate the tractor and other farm machines. Many farmers do not have the money to employ those that are trained in the use of farm machines.
(f) There are no good access roads in farming communities. Tractors and other machines spend long hours on the road between farm sites and sheds. They sometimes get stuck in the mud.
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