Basic Knowledge in Agriculture #46

Hello steemians

Basic Knowledge in Agriculture: Understanding Mechanized Farming

Agriculture hasbeen the backbone of human survival. From the ancient times when our ancestors used bare hands and sticks as tools to till the soil to the modern age where machines now do what took months to complete in just a few hours has been a massive transformation in agriculture One of the biggest changes in this journey is what is referred to as mechanized farming.

What is Mechanized Farming?

In concised terms mechanized farming means using machines, tools, and advanced equipment to carry out agricultural activities instead of using only human effort or animal power. It involves the use of tractors, harvesters, plows, irrigation systems, and other mechanical devices that make farming less stressful and more productive.

To me, mechanized farming is giving the farmer strong, tireless hands. The type of hands that do not get tired under the sun, do not complain, and can work faster and more accurately than human labor. example, a farmer using a tractor can cultivate several hectares of land in a single day, while a farmer using hoes and cutlasses might take weeks or months to do same portion

So, mechanized farming is simply the transition from traditional hand tools and animal-driven methods to machines and modern technology in agriculture.

Importance of Mechanized Farming

Mechanized farming is not just about speed; it carries a lot of weight in different areas

1. Increased Food Production
   As population keeps growing every day,so is the demand for food. As such mechanized farming helps to produce more crops within a shorter time. With the help of machines, farmers can cultivate larger portions of land and harvest more than they ever could with manual labor.

1. Saves Time and Reduces Stress
   Farming is naturally a hard and stressful work, and many people run away from it because of the stress involved. Mechanization makes farming easier. Instead of bending for hours with a hoe, a farmer can use a tractor. This saves time, energy, and reduces the physical burden on farmers.

1. Encourages Commercial Farming
   Subsistence farming which is farming just for personal use has little impact on national development. Mechanization pushes farmers into commercial farming, where they can produce enough not only for themselves but also to sell and supply to markets. This boosts food security and the helps the national economy.

1. Precision in Farming
   Machines like planters, irrigation systems, and fertilizer spreaders make farming more accurate.thereby encouraging people to go into farming Seeds can be planted at equal distances, water can be distributed evenly, and fertilizers applied in the right amount. This precision leads to better yields.

1. Job Creation in Other Sectors
   Although machines may reduce the need for some manual farm jobs, they create opportunities in other areas as we would
   need people to maintain this machines as such Mechanics, engineers, machine operators, and spare parts dealers all find work because of mechanized farming.

Advantages of Mechanized Farming

Like every sector mechanized farming has its own set of benefits.
Increased productivity Machines make farming more productive as farmers can cultivate more plots of land and harvest more crops, increasing food supply.

Work that used to take days or weeks can now be completed in hours. Increasingly Efficiency

Improved Quality of Work: Machines now perform tasks more neatly and accurately, leading to higher outputs.

Reduction in Manual Labor: Farmers no longer depend heavily on large numbers of laborers, which reduces costs in the long run.

Encouragement of Large-Scale Farming: With the machines, farmers are motivated to expand their farms since they have the capacity to manage them effectively.
But note the farm here is not centered to crops but also animal farming fish ponds and others

Improved Standard of Living: before now Farmers were seen as poor in the society but in this age majority of rich persons are farmers With increased income from higher yields, farmers enjoy better living conditions.

Disadvantages of Mechanized Farming

Inability to purchase machines due to high cost most machines like tractors, harvesters, and other machines are expensive, and many small-scale farmers cannot afford them

Machines require constant servicing and repairs. Spare parts may be costly or hard to find in some areas as such most farmers face maintenance issues

Since machines replace manual labor, many farm workers lose their jobs as laborers leading to unemployment and hunger

Conclusion

Mechanized farming is a bold step in agriculture and as such should be treated with importance it's advantages and disadvantages should not be ignored but should be looked upon and make amends where necessary

Mechanised farming is necessary for the growth of farmers and as such machines should be made available for farmers in order to improve and encourage agriculture

Inviting @kwinberry @ukpono @mercybliss @samuellbrilliant