Farm Mechanisation is defined as the use of farm machinery and equipment to perform farm operations. Farm mechanisation in other words is the application of engineering principles and technology in agricultural production, storage and processing on the farm. Farm mechanisation is applicable to land preparation planting, fertiliser application, weeding and crop harvesting, rearing, caring and feeding of animals as well as processing and storage of farm produce, using appropriate farm machinery.
Problems of agricultural mechanisation
Land Tenure system
The type of land tenure system (communal) does not allow for large farm holding suitable for mechanisation.
Scattered farm holdings
Scattered farm holdings are also not conducive or economical for mechanisation, especially in West Africa.
Poverty of farmers
Most farmers, especially in West Africa, available and cannot afford the cause of tractors and farm implements.
Inadequate facilities (machinery)
The facilities or machinery for fabricating and repairing farm implements are grossly insufficient where they are available.
Bad topography
The topography of most West African landscape is too rough and not conducive to farm mechanisation.
Varied soil types
Soil types are extremely varied and the machines to use on them have not been developed locally. West Africa countries, Nigeria for instance, still depend on imported machinery which are not suitable for our soil.
Inadequate spare parts
Availability of spare parts is a major problem as these parts are still being imported.
Inadequate technical manpower
Availability technical manpower to operate our service with implements and machines is not adequate.
Problems of stumps and logs
During clearing, heavy stumps and logs are usually left behind, and they constitute additionally problems in mechanisation.
Advantages of agricultural mechanisation
Farm mechanisation has the following advantages
Timelines of operation
Farm mechanisation ensures that all farm operations are done and completed within a short period of time.
It saves labour
In farm mechanisation most human efforts are substituted with machines. Hence, labor saved could be employed elsewhere.
It reduces health hazards
Farm mechanization reduces health hazards.These include those posed by knives, holes, stumps, pests, etc.
It reduces drudgery
Farm mechanisation makes it easy to avoid unpleasant manual jobs.
Increase in farm revenue
As a result off mechanization, farmers become richer due to high yield.
It encourages large-scale farming
Farmers are capable of working on large farms and, hence, reap heavy harvest.
Increase in output
Mechanisation makes it possible for farmers to have an increase in output (production, harvest or yield).
It promotes specialisation of labour
Farm mechanisation enables people to become specialized in certain operations within the farm.
Co-operation among farmers
mechanisation enables mini farmers to come together and pool they are resources together, thereby promoting or encouraging corporation among farmers.
It saves time
Mechanisation translate quickly the products of man’s brain into reality.
Reduction in cost of operation
mechanisation leads to reduction in the cost of agricultural operations per unit output.
Improvement in quality of produce
Farm mechanization usually improves the quality of some farm produce, e.g. rice processing.
Availability of labour for other sectors
mechanization also helps to release level to other sectors of the economy.
Use of less human labour
Mechanisation herbs to accomplish lots of work with less human labour.
Disadvantages of agricultural mechanisation
Farm mechanization has the following disadvantages
High cost
Farm mechanization, due to the numerous machines involved, is usually expensive to operate.
Displacement of workers
In farm mechanisation, very few workers are required; hence, many people will be out of job when mechanization is introduced.
Compaction of soil
Mechanisation leads to compaction of soil due to the movement of heavy machines.
Human control
Mechanisation needs human labour to control it.
Unstable fuel supply
Unstable supply of fuel can affect the working of machines.
Spread of pests and diseases
Mechanisation helps to spread pets and diseases through contaminated machinery.
Inadequate spare parts
Most spare parts or replaceable parts are not always available. Therefore, they may be scarce or inadequate.
High cost of maintenance
There isv usually high cost of maintenance involved, especially for heavy machines.
Damage of crops
Most crops I usually damaged during mechanised farm operations, especially if care is not taken.
Inadequate technical know-how
There is always inadequate is technical know-how on the use and handling of the farm machines and equipment.
Few crops and be mechanised
Very few crops like maize, rice, guinea corn, millet, etc. can easily be mechanised.
Redundancy of farm labour
With farm machines working on the farm, the work can easily be completed and this situation can create redundancy in the farm labour.
Land tenure system
Land tenure system hinder efficient use of tractors due to small holdings of farmlands.
Destruction of soil structure
The soil structure can easily be destroyed due to continuous movements and usage of machines.
Degradation of landscape
Mechanisation ensures the degradation of landscape as a result of continuous excavation.
It causes environmental pollution
Mechanisation courses environmental pollution due to smokes emanating from machines, chemicals and Fertilisers usage.
Limitations of farm mechanisation
Factors limiting agricultural mechanisation in Nigeria can be discussed under the following major headings.
Economic limitation
- Machines are not readily available in the country.
- Most farmers are and cannot afford them.
- Cost of hiring the machines is high/exorbitant.
- Cost of maintenance is high.
- Operations of machines demand high pay/wages which most farmers cannot afford.
Technical limitation
- There is lack of technical know-how of machines.
- Very few schools exist for the training of machine operators.
- Most of the machines are not adapted to our local environment/needs.
- Experts on these machines are not readily available.
- Mode of operations of most machines are not known.
Lack of maintenance
- Most machines are imported.
- Replacement parts are not available.
- Inadequate trained personnel to repair farm machines.
- Facilities for repair and maintenance are lacking.
- The very few trend personnel and not always available when machines break down.
Small farm holdings
- Land tenure system encourage fragmentation of land which cannot be mechanised.
- Peasant farmers have small area of farmland.
- Agriculture is practice by peasant farmers.
- Fragmentation of land discourages mechanisation.
Reasons why agriculture has not been fully mechanised in West Africa
- Small farm holding or land fragmentation or land tenure system does not have permit mechanisation.
- The farming systems currently practice does not encourage mechanisation.
- There is inadequate extension services or education for farmers.
- There is low level of technical know-how about machinery.
- Machine spare parts are not easily available.
- Inadequate capital or credit facility.
- Machines are costly to maintain.
- Machines or implements are expensive to purchase.
- Heavy tress stumps left after land clearing hinder use of machinery.
- High running costs for machinery discourages mechanisation.
- It is costly or expensive to hire machines and most farmers are poor.
- There are no access roads for machines.
- Unfavorable soil terrain or topography prevent mechanisation.
- There is inadequate farm labourers or farm hands to enhance mechanisation.
- Poor market structures or systems for agricultural produce discourage farmers from large-scale production.
Possible ways of improving agriculture through mechanisation
- Farmers should be educated to accept modern systems of farming, especially in the areas of mechanisation.
- Government should provide loans to enable farmers to purchase farm machines.
- The land tenure system should be reviewed to enable farmers to acquire large hectares or land.
- Simple and less expensive machines should be developed.
- Farmers should form cooperative societies to enable them to pool their resources together to buy farm machines.
- Government should establish agricultural engineering schools or institutions so train personnel, and fabricate simple machines.