FARM POWER

What is Farm Power?

Power is the rate at doing work is done or the expenditure of energy. Power is measured in units of joules/second, otherwise known as watts.

Farm power is the ability provided by various sources to carry on farm work. Farm power, then, can be defined as the energy, force and source used to carry out farming operations.

SOURCES OF FARM POWER

HUMAN POWER

This is the most important source of farm power, without which all other sources are useless. It involves the use of man’s intellect and/manual effort to carry out different farming activities. The great advantage of human power is man’s intelligence, which means he can control the work he does.

 ADVANTAGES OF HUMAN POWER

1. Man’s intelligence is to control the work he does.
2. Man has the advantage of controlling all other sources of power
3. It is required in all farm operations
4. It is easily controlled and available.

DISADVANTAGES OF HUMAN POWER

1. The output per man per hour is very low.
2. Total production can only be at a subsistent level.
3. A lot of drudgery is associated with the use of human power.
4. Man is exposed to high or low temperature, humidity, wind, pollution, etc. when used as a source of power on the farm.

EVALUATION

1. What is farm power?
2. Mention two advantages and two disadvantages of human power

ANIMAL POWER OR ANIMAL TRACTION

This is the use of animals in carrying out various operations on the farm. Pair of working bullyolked together, camels, donkeys, etc, are common animals normally used.  Man controls the animals where they are utilised. 

The power supplied by animals is for pulling plough, harrow, planter, ridger, etc. and for transporting the farm product.

Belgian Heavy Draft Horses

Belgian heavy draft horses have great strength. Farmers in Belgium sometimes use these horses for ploughing instead of tractors, which can get stuck in wet soil.

ADVANTAGES OF WORK ANIMALS

1. The use of animal power makes much less demand of human power as it is often more effective in farming activities.
2. Animals can work for a long time if properly fed.
3. It has relatively low maintenance when compared to machines.
4. It can handle many farm operations.
5. It can be controlled.

DISADVANTAGES OF WORK ANIMALS

1. They can refuse to work if not properly handled
2. The cost of maintaining the animals’ feeding, veterinary services is high
3. Diseases may affect the efficiency of work animals
4. There is a limitation in the output of animals, particularly in a hot climate
5. They cannot work in Tse-tse fly-infested areas.

MECHANICAL POWER

This requires the use of a series of machines to carry out farm operations.  Power transmitted through engines can come directly or indirectly from electricity or the burning of fuel.

ADVANTAGES OF MECHANICAL POWER

1. It can do more work per unit time than man and animals.
2. Unlike human and animal power, there is no fear of disease.
3. It can be used in a tsetse fly-infected area.
4. They are the fastest and most efficient source of farm power.
5. They make farm operations timely

DISADVANTAGES OF MECHANICAL POWER

1. High capital investment is involved in the acquisition of machinery.
2. Many tractors are laid off in West Africa due to a lack of spare parts.
3. It is not suitable for small land holdings.
4. Intensive mechanisation displaces labour from the farm and can lead to unemployment.
5. It is not readily available.

EVALUATION

1. What are the advantages of mechanical power over work animals
2. State two disadvantages of A. work animals, B. mechanical power

ELECTRICAL POWER

This is power derived from electricity or a generator.  It is a neat or clean source of energy.  It is used to operate electric motors.  Motors are used to operate many modern appliances such as heaters, incubators, mixers and some power tools.  Electrical power is also measured in watts.

ADVANTAGES OF ELECTRICAL POWER

1. It is easy to operate
2. It is efficient, and it saves labour
3. It is a cheap source of farm power
4. It gives a quick and immediate result.
5. It can be used for various services and at different times.

DISADVANTAGES OF ELECTRICAL POWER

1. Electricity supply is not regular, especially in developing countries like Nigeria.
2. An electrical fault may cause serious hazards.
3. It cannot be widely used in the field.
4. The cost of installation and maintenance is high.
5. It is dangerous and fatal if carelessly handled

SOLAR POWER

This is the power derived from radiation, light and heat reaching the Earth from the sun. This energy is the ultimate source of energy, and it can be converted into electrical energy by installing solar panels. Solar energy is trapped into photo – photovoltaic cell or solar collectors, which is then converted into electrical energy and stored in batteries or used directly.

Solar Power

These solar panels convert energy from sunlight and can be used to generate electricity.

ADVANTAGES OF SOLAR POWER

1. Solar power is inexhaustible.
2. Solar energy can be used to dry crops, power machines and generate electricity.
3. Solar energy technology is environmentally friendly.
4. It is readily available.
5. Solar panels have a long lifespan.

DISADVANTAGES OF SOLAR POWER

1. It requires a lot of technical know-how.
2. It is only available during the day.
3. Its provision cannot be controlled.
4. It cannot be adjusted or readily stored.
5. An excess of it can cause transpiration and evaporation.

EVALUATION

1. Outline four uses each of A. solar power B. electrical power
2. What are the disadvantages of electrical power

WIND POWER

This is the power generated by wind movement. Wind power is made possible through the use of windmills that help to pump water out of the boreholes or generate electricity.

A water-pumping windmill in Spring, Arizona, provides water for agricultural use. The blades, or sails, are mounted at an oblique angle on the horizontal shaft.

The fantail rudder steers the bladed wheel into the wind to maximise the windmill’s efficiency.

ADVANTAGES OF WIND POWER

1. Wind can be harnessed to drive boats, power grinders and to operate water pumps.
2. It can be used for drying farm produce.
3. It is cheap and available everywhere.
4. It is used in winnowing, i.e. separation of chaff from grains.
5. It can serve as an alternative to electrical power.

DISADVANTAGES OF WIND POWER

1. The supply of wind is sporadic and uncertain.
2.  A large windmill often proves to be very expensive for the energy it produces.
3. It cannot be stored.
4. It is difficult to control.
5. It is limited to certain farm operations.

WATER POWER

This is the power derived from water flowing in rivers, oceans, dams, etc.  It is used in hydroelectric stations to drive the turbines.  A turbine is a rotating engine with its blades driven by water.

Electricity Generators

Generators at the Bonneville Dam in Oregon produce electricity as water flows through large turbines and drives the axles of the generators.

The Bonneville Dam is located on the Columbia River between the states of Oregon and Washington. The Bonneville plant is one of many hydroelectric stations in the northwestern United States.

ADVANTAGES OF WATER POWER

1. A steady and uninterrupted flow of water can be made to turn turbines or water wheels to generate electrical energy.
2. It is used in the transportation of farm goods.
3. It can be used to process farm produce.
4. It is needed for seed germination and the normal growth of crops
5. It is needed in the process of photosynthesis by plants.

DISADVANTAGES OF WATER POWER

1. A low level of water can hinder electricity output.
2. It is not available in all areas.
3. It could be destructive if not carefully handled.
4. Supply is affected by weather.
5. It costsa huge sum of money to set up and maintain

EVALUATION

1. State four uses each of A. water power B. wind power
2. Mention two disadvantages of wind power

BIOGAS

A method of generating power by making use of farm wastes, especially animal dung, urine etc collected and processed to produce methane gas.

ADVANTAGES OF BIOGAS

1. A cheap source of power.
2. It can be used to generate heat for brooding chicks.
3. It can be used for cooking and drying.
4. It can also be harnessed to generate electrical energy.
5. It can easily be controlled.

DISADVANTAGES OF BIOGAS

1. It requires expertise which may not be easily available.
2. It is expensive to set up and maintain.
3. It is not a common source of power.
4. It is restricted to where animals are reared on a commercial basis.
5. If not properly handled, it can lead to a fire incident.

GENERAL EVALUATION

1. What is farm power?
2. What are the sources of farm power?
3. State three advantages and disadvantages of each of

1. Wind power b. Water power c. Solar power. Electrical power e. Animal power
2. Biogas
3. State three uses of biogas
4. List three sources of hydroelectric power

WEEKEND ASSIGNMENT

1. The most common source of farm power for drying grains in West Africa is A. heat engine

B.sun C.waterD.electricity

2. ____ can be harnessed to generate electricity. A. Petrol B. Animal dung C. Biogas
3. Turbines
4. The most unreliable source of farm power is A. Wind, B. Wate,r C. Electricit,y D. Machines
5. Water power is harnessed and converted into electrical power by blade B. grains
6. turbines D. hovercraft
7. The fastest and most efficient source of farm power is ____ power.A. Solar Animal
8. Mechanical D. Biogas

THEORY

1. List two farm operations each requiring the use of A. Machine B.Electricity C.Wind D.Solar radiation
2. In what way is human power the most important source of farm power?

See also

SIMPLE FARM TOOLS

PROBLEMS OF FARM MANAGER

MANAGEMENT

FACTORSOFPRODUCTION (MANAGEMENT)

CAPITAL