Farm Mechanization in Crop Production – SS2 Horticulture and Crop Production Lesson Note (Second Term)

Farm mechanization is the use of machines, from simple hand tools to big tractors, to do farm work.

Behavioural objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

1. define farm mechanization;
2. describe the lever, inclined plane, wheel and axle, and pulley, with a farm example of each;
3. name four modern farm machines and state what each is used for;
4. state the advantages of farm mechanization;
5. explain the limitations of farm mechanization for small farmers in Nigeria.

What is farm mechanization?

Farm mechanization is the use of machines, from simple hand tools to big tractors, to replace muscle power on the farm.

• Muscle power: work done with the hands, back and feet, such as pulling weeds or carrying bags.
• Tool power: work made easier by simple tools such as the cutlass, hoe and wheelbarrow.
• Engine power: work done by machines driven by an engine, such as the tractor and the motorised sprayer.
• Aim: to do more work in less time and with less tiredness.

What simple machines are used on the farm?

There are four simple machines used on the farm: the lever, the inclined plane, the wheel and axle, and the pulley.

• The lever: a bar that turns on a fixed point. A hoe or cutlass acts as a lever, so the farmer cuts or digs with less effort.
• The inclined plane: a slope. A wooden plank used as a ramp helps a farmer push a heavy bag of cocoa onto a truck instead of lifting it straight up.
• The wheel and axle: a wheel fixed on a rod. A wheelbarrow lets one person move several bags of fertiliser because the wheel carries much of the weight.
• The pulley: a grooved wheel with a rope. It is used to draw buckets of water from a deep well for irrigation, and it makes the pull easier by changing its direction.

What are the modern farm machines?

Modern farm machines are power-driven machines that do large farm jobs quickly, and the main ones are the tractor, plough, harvester and sprayer.

1. Tractor: the “workhorse” of the farm. It pulls ploughs, harrows, ridgers and trailers.
2. Plough: fixed to the back of a tractor. It turns over the soil to prepare it for planting.
3. Harvester: cuts and collects crops such as maize and rice very quickly.
4. Sprayer: a motorised sprayer protects large fields from pests and diseases. A hand sprayer is too slow for them.

What other machines are used at different stages of crop production?

Machines are used at every stage of crop production, from land preparation to processing.

What is the difference between simple tools and farm machines?

Simple tools are hand-operated implements that use human effort, such as the hoe and cutlass.

Farm machines are power-driven equipment that use an engine, such as the tractor and the harvester.

What are the advantages of farm mechanization?

The advantages of farm mechanization are saved time, less drudgery, more food and better quality produce.

• It saves time: a tractor ploughs a field in far less time than many workers using hoes.
• It reduces drudgery: drudgery means tiring, back-breaking work. Machines do the heavy lifting.
• It increases food production: machines work fast, so a farmer can plant a larger area.
• It gives better quality: graincleaners and shellers do a neater job than hand work, so produce sells better.
• It makes work timely: planting and harvesting are done at the right time, which reduces losses.

What are the limitations of farm mechanization?

The limitations of farm mechanization are the problems that stop many small farmers in Nigeria from using machines.

1. High cost: machines are expensive to buy, and most small farmers cannot afford a tractor.
2. Maintenance problems: a broken machine needs a skilled mechanic and costly spare parts. It may stand idle if none is nearby.
3. Small, scattered land: a big tractor is hard to turn on a tiny plot.
4. Displacement of labour: one machine can do the work of many people, so some workers may lose their jobs.
5. Technical knowledge: operators need training. Without it, a farmer can damage an expensive machine.
6. Fuel and running costs: engines need fuel and oil, which add to the cost of farming.

How should a farmer choose between machines and simple tools?

A farmer should choose by matching the tool or machine to the size of the farm, the job and the money available.

• Farm size: use simple tools on small plots and machines on large, open fields.
• Cost: compare the price of the machine with the money it will save or earn.
• Repairs: check that a mechanic and spare parts are available nearby.
• Sharing or hiring: small farmers can hire a tractor or share one in a group.
• Mixing both: use a machine for heavy jobs such as ploughing and keep simple tools for light jobs.

What practical activity shows how a simple machine helps?

A wheelbarrow demonstration shows how a simple machine reduces effort.

1. Bring a wheelbarrow and a heavy bag of sand to the field.
2. Ask a student to carry the bag 10 metres by hand.
3. Ask the student to move the same bag 10 metres with the wheelbarrow.
4. Let the class discuss which method felt easier and faster, and why.

Evaluation

1. Define farm mechanization.
2. Name the four simple machines in this lesson and give one farm example of each.
3. List four modern farm machines and state one use of each.
4. State three advantages of farm mechanization.
5. Explain why a small farmer in Nigeria may find it hard to use a tractor.

Assignment

List five limitations of farm mechanization for small farmers in Nigeria. Explain any two of them in your own words.