Basic Knowledge in Agriculture #46

axgustine (54)Verified -Agroin Steem-Agro • 9 days ago

•Mechanized Farming:

Mechanized farming is the process of using Agricultural Machinery to mechanise the work of Agriculture to increase productivity. In modern times, powered machinery has replaced many farm jobs that were carried out by manual labour or by working animals such as, Oxen, Horses and Mules. Agriculture Department has implemented a scheme called Sub Mission on Agricultural Mechanization (SMAM) from 2012 onwards. The sharing pattern of the scheme is 90 : 10 between the Central Government and the State Government.

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•Importance of Mechanized Farming

1. Improved Techniques:

Land reclamation has been improved, soil erosion has been reduced and irrigation systems are more efficient because of agricultural mechanization practices. Cultivators attached to tractors help to smooth out the soil, fill in ditches and remove weeds, which all help to increase the amount of land used and prevent soil from eroding, while irrigation can be more targeted to the roots of plants.

2. Commercialization:

Subsistence farming has been significantly reduced by agricultural mechanization and commercial agriculture has taken over, allowing for increased productivity and crop yields. This allows for more food to be produced on a much larger scale, even allowing for exports.

3. Nullifies Effects of Labor Shortages:

In the countryside, where rural citizens have migrated to urban areas due to increased economic activity, labor shortages on farms are less of a problem because of the machines that can take on more agricultural tasks. Laborers also have to put in less time and effort to make farms functional because of mechanization.

4. Makes More Space For Crops:

Land usage is significantly improved with this process because machines can make more challenging land arable that might previously have lain fallow. Also, land can be used more efficiently to grow a larger variety of crops and more of them.

5. Increases Farm Income:

Agricultural mechanization has also helped farms both small and large to earn more money on what they produce. First, time is saved by the mechanization process, which reduces the need to pay laborers over extended periods of time. Second, crop yields are higher, which results in more income. Third, it improves the profile of farms and helps them to work on a more global scale where they might have worked on a very small scale before.

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•Advantages of Mechanized Farming

•Farming activities have become more productive and quick thanks to mechanization.

•The need for human labour is reduced when agricultural machinery is used in farming methods.

•With the use of mechanization, production increases which in turn increases significantly and help increase crop intensity.

•Mechanization decreases farmer’s time and effort while changing their overall financial and social position in rural areas.

•Utilizing adaptable agricultural equipments considerably reduces the need for labour, enhancing the farmers’ standard of living.

•Any land that hasn’t been utilized for farming can be converted into a profitable farm quickly and easily with farm equipment, resulting in proper land utilization.

•Only mechanization can assist farmers in growing crops and grains to meet the needs of a significant population as the world’s population is expanding.

•A rise in farmer income and yield increases the worth of agricultural output.

•Social advantages include enticing young people to enter the agricultural industry and drawing more individuals to live and work in rural areas. Due to increased labour productivity and safer farming methods, it also reduces the workload placed on women.

•It releases manpower for non-agricultural purposes, creating new income avenues for the farmer.

•Farm mechanization will create better income returns for farmers, allowing them to invest in livestock or other activities, thereby diversifying agriculture and income sources.

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•Disadvantages of mechanized farming

1. Increase in Unemployment :-

In the poor countries the rate of unemployment is already high. So the use of machinery in agriculture has increased the rate of unemployment in the country. It is useful in those countries where labour is not available or labour is costly.

2. Not Suitable for Small Holding :-

The use of machinery is not profitable for small holdings. The majority of the farmers in underdeveloped countries is the owner of small holdings. For instance, owner of a 5 acre land can not purchase tractor.

3. Costly Machinery :-

In the poor countries farmer is unable to purchase the expensive machinery due to poverty. While labour is cheap in the poor country. Costly machinery increases the cost of production.

4. Lack of Technical Knowledge :-

In the underdeveloped countries majority of farmers are uneducated and they cannot handle the machines. So misuse of machinery causes a great loss to the farmer.

5. Lack of Foreign Exchange :-

Foreign exchange is required to make payments for imported machinery. There is a shortage of foreign exchange in poor countries. So it becomes difficult to import the machinery.

6. Preparing Facilities :-

In most of developing countries maintenance and repairing facilities are not available in the rural areas. The break down of the machinery will cause delay in agricultural operation.

7. Lack of Energy Resources :-

Oil, Gas, and Electricity are the main source of energy. These are essential for the farm mechanization but there is shortage of these resources in the most of underdeveloped countries. Prices of oil are increasing day by day.