Sources of farm power in agricultural science. advantages of farm power. cost of using farm power. how to generate farm power in the farm. advantages and disadvantages of using farm power. in this post I am going to also list the different types of farm power and how to generate them but first, what is farm power?
what is farm power?
Farm power can be described as any source of energy(energy transfer in an ecosystem read here) or force that can be used in doing farm work.
Farm power refers to the energy or power used on farms to carry out various tasks and operations related to agriculture. Historically, farm power was provided by human labour and animal power, such as oxen, horses, and mules. However, in modern times, farm power is largely provided by machinery and equipment powered by engines, such as tractors, combines, and harvesters.
Importance Of Farm Power
Farm power is used for a variety of tasks on the farm, including tilling the soil, planting crops, harvesting, and transporting goods. It is essential for modern agriculture, as it helps farmers to increase their productivity and efficiency, reducing the need for manual labour and increasing the speed and accuracy of tasks.
The type of farm power used depends on the size and type of farm, as well as the crops and livestock being produced. Small farms may use hand tools and animal power, while larger farms may require heavy machinery and equipment. Additionally, sustainable and renewable sources of energy, such as solar or wind power, are also being increasingly used in agriculture to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and minimize environmental impact.
The common sources of farm power are human, animal, mechanical, solar, wind, electrical, water and fuel
TYPES OF FARM POWER
1. HUMAN POWER
2. WATER POWER
3. WIND POWER
4. SOLAR POWER
5. FUEL POWER
6. ELECTRICAL POWER
7. MECHANICAL POWER AND
8. ANIMAL POWER
Human sources of farm power
HUMAN POWER Human beings are the main source of power for operating small tools and implements. This is where energy for doing farm work is supplied by man. Almost all types of farm work require human effort. Land clearing, digging, planting of crops, weeding and harvesting are some of the uses of human power. the use of human farm input is usually used in the practice of subsistence agriculture. this type of farm input requires the use of simple farm tools and implements for most farming activities. in commercial agriculture,
the use of human farm input is largely limited so animal power or mechanical farm input in used. the use cutlass, hoe, rake, head pan, and spade majorly used and it is done in subsistence agriculture
Animal sources of farm power
In some places, animals provide the energy for doing farm work. Animals can be used to pull tillage implements such as ploughs and harrows.
They are also used to transport farm produce by the farmer. The use of animals in doing farm work is common in Northern parts of Nigeria where tsetse fly infestation is low and people are used to the handling of animals. well, the use of animals in farm work is as old as man himself. animals like cattle of different breeds are used as animal power in farming activity. these animals can be used as tillage machines in place of tractors for tilling the ground for pre-planting and planting operations. the use of animals as farm input can enhance production thereby facilitating the practice of commercial agriculture and large-scale crop farming or production
Mechanical sources of farm power
This is power supplied by machines through the burning of fuel or electricity. Tractors, bulldozers, harvesters and shellers are common sources of mechanical power. Mechanical power can be employed for land clearing, ploughing and \’harrowing, planting of crops-and processing.
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This is where the sun is the source of farm power. The energy is employed by local farmers in the drying of farm products such as cocoa, groundnut, rice, melon and beans. The ability to harness solar proper use is still lacking among the majority of Nigerian farmers. read about cooperative society here
Wind sources of farm power
The energy for farm work is sometimes supplied by Wind power can be made use of by windmills. This can be employed in pumping water for domestic and irrigation purposes. Electricity can also be generated from the windmill. Wind power is greatly used in the winnowing of farm products such as melon and rice by local farmers.
![\"farm](\"https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iWAyhEE3_3U/XYKzOW7jI6I/AAAAAAAACvE/-SqGCfjjZEYkiyS32cC84Ty_sfAKKXOGACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/tractor%2Bmounted%2Bplough.jpg\")
Electrical sources of farm power
This is where electrical energy is used to operate farm machines. Many of the processing machines employ electrical power. The energy from electricity is equally used for the supply of light on the farm, incubation of eggs, drying of farm products such as maize and in refrigerators and cold storage(farm storage system).
Water sources of farm power
Water power can be employed as energy for doing farm work through the construction of hydro-electrical power stations. It involves the building of dams such as the Kainji Dam built across the River Niger The electrical energy generated can be used to operate many farm machines and supply light to homes and offices. Water is also employed in the transportation of farm products in riverine areas.
Fuel sources of farm power
Energy is supplied by machines through the burning of fuel.
Common fuels that supply energy include petrol, diesel oil and kerosene. Other fuels that are used by farmers are wood and coal.
The energy generated through the burning of fuel is used to move the tractor and some other farm machines.
Wood and coal sources of farm power
provide heat during burning and such heat can be used for drying farm produce.
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