SS 1 Third Term Agricultural Science Lesson Note – Sources of Farm Power

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SUBJECT: AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE

CLASS: SS 1

TOPIC: Sources of Farm Power

CONTENT:

• Meaning of Farm Power
• Sources of Farm Power, Advantages and Disadvantages

SUB TOPIC 1. Meaning of Farm Power

Power refers to energy or force that can be used to do work. It is measured in watts (w) and kilowatts (kw). It is expressed as work done over time taken.

Farm Power therefore can be described as any source of energy used in carrying out farm operations or the various sources of energy used in doing farm work.

In all these operations, human power is by far the earliest source of power available on the farm and this is considered to be the very important in all activities carried out on the farm.

SOURCES OF FARM POWER

The common sources of Farm Power are: Human, Animal, Mechanical, Solar, Wind, Electrical, Water, Fuel and Bio gas.

1. Human Power: This refers to human being as a source of energy for doing farm work. This source of power involves many people than all other sources of power. The energy dissipated during work is rated to be about 75 watts. Human labour used as power in the farm may be skilled or unskilled. It can also be hired or supplied by the family members. Human power is commonly used with traditional tools and it is mobile, hence it should be handled with care.

ADVANTAGES

1. It is a cheap source of power compared to machines
2. Man uses his intelligence to control all other sources of farm power.
3. It can be controlled.
4. It brings about least damage to the crops, animals and their products.
5. Human power is easily available

DISADVANTAGES

1. Output is very low as it can only work for few hours.
2. Man can easily get fatigued
3. Human beings can get sick and eventually die.
4. Human beings cannot do heavy jobs such as clearing, ridging, weeding for a long time.
5. If trained or specialized, it may be expensive.

 

2. Animal Power: In this case, animals are the source of power. Farm animals can be used to carry people, draw ploughs, transport loads etc. Animals such as cattle, horses, donkeys are sources of farm power. The animal used are often referred to as work or draught animals and the energy dissipated is equivalent to 500 watts compare to human power.

ADVANTAGES

1. It a cheap source of power compare to machines.
2. It can be controlled.
3. Animals can perform more tedious operations on the farm
4. Animals do not get tired easily when compared with man.
5. Maintenance of animals is cheap

DISADVANTAGES

1. Animals can eat up crops in the field if not muzzled or not well fed.
2. Diseases and pests invasion can affect their efficiency.
3. Animals may not work under heavy rain fall or heavy hot weather.
4. It cannot be used in all farm operations like harvesting and processing.
5. Animals have to be directed to perform their job because they are not as intelligent as man.

 

3. Mechanical Power: This is the power derived from machines. It can be transmitted through an engine from the burning of fuel or electricity. In developed countries, almost every agricultural operation has been mechanized. The common sources of mechanical power are tractors, generators, water pumps, bulldozers etc. It can be used to operate ploughs, ridgers, planters, harvesters and other farm implements.

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