SOURCES OF FARM POWER-TYPES, ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF EACH TYPE. (WEEK FOUR)

WEEK 4

TOPIC:     SOURCES OF FARM POWER-TYPES, ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF EACH TYPE.

OBJECTIVE

By the end of the lesson, students should (1) List the different sources of farm power (2) State the advantages and disadvantages of each type.

FARM POWER

This is the rate at which work is done in the farm.

SOURCES OF FARM POWER

Energy is the ability to do work and the sources are:

1. Human Power
2. Animal Power
3. Mechanical Power
4. Wind Power
5. Solar Power
6. Electrical Power
7. Water Power
8. Biogas

HUMAN POWER

This is the power provided by human being and it is the most common source of power in farm operations. Man through his intelligence can perform activities in the farm like land clearing, stumping, ploughing, harrowing, ridging planting, harvesting, weeding, storage and food processing. 

ADVANTAGES

1. He is easily available in all farm operating
2. He is cheap to obtain and easy to control
3. He uses his intelligence to control the work he does.

DISADVANTAGES

1. Man cannot perform tedious farm operation
2. Poor state of health of an individual can affect his performance
3. Man can easily die
4. He consumes time and less efficient
5. Human labour can easily get fatigued
6. efficiency decreases with age

ANIMAL POWER

This is the power derived from farm animals which are used to perform some farm operations. Bulls are used for pulling ploughs, harrows, planters, ridgersetc while camels, horse and donkeys are used for transportation of farm produce.

ADVANTAGES OF ANIMAL POWER

1. Animals can perform more jobs than man
2. It is cheaper to purchase
3. It can handle many farm operations
4. It can be controlled or easy to maintain
5. Maintenance cost is low
6. Animals do not get tired or fatigue easily
7. It can be used in place of machines for drawing implement 

DISADVANTAGES

1. Animals used for work have shorter life span
2. They loose energy and weight quicker than machines
3. Huge amount of money is needed to feed and maintain the animals
4. It cannot work at certain times of the day
5. Disease may affect the efficiency of the animal
6. The use of animals is restricted for certain climatic zone (e.g. tse-tse fly free zone)
7. They are not suitable for processing agricultural products as they may eat it up
8. Not suitable for large scale production
9. They can die or get fatigue easily
10. Power output is low.  

MECHANICAL POWER

This is the power derived from machine engines like planter, harrows, harvester, ploughers ridges, processing etc. They are needed for large scale production.

ADVANTAGES

1. It can handle more areas per unit of time
2. It works faster and more efficient
3. It reduces cost of labor and total cost of production
4. It is not affected by disease
5. It can perform a wide range of operation
6. They reduce, drudgery in farm operation and saves times

DISADVANTAGES

1. It requires huge capital investment or it is costly to purchase
2. It requires a lot of technical know how to operate
3. It can lead to unemployment of people
4. It is not suitable for small scales farming
5. It can cause air pollution through gases from exhaust pipes
6. It is not easily available
7. Maintenance cost is high
8. It can destroy soil structure

ELECTRICAL POWER

This is the type of Power derived from electricity or generator

ADVANTAGES OF ELECTRICAL POWER

1. It is cheap source of power
2. it is very neat
3. It cannot contaminate products
4. It can be used at different times for various services
5. It is easy to operate
6. It saves labour
7. It aids fast operation and increase productivity
8. It supply is dependable especially in developed countries

DISADVANTAGES

1. It is dangerous if carelessly handled
2. It is not always regular especially in developing countries
3. It Maintenance cost may be high
4. It can cause five Lazard
5. It cannot be widely used in field operation

SOLAR POWER

This is the power derived from the radiation light and heat reaching the earth from the sun

ADVANTAGES OF SOLAR POWER

1. It is cheap source of power
2. It is free
3. It is easily available
4. It is a neat source of power

DISADVANTAGES OF SOLAR POWER

1. It is only available during the day
2. It cannot be adjusted or stored
3. Its supply cannot be controlled
4. Excess of it can cause transpiration and evaporation
5. It fluctuates in supply

WIND POWER

Wind power is generated by wind movement. It is used in wind mill generate power by wind turning the wheel and the amount of power produced depends on the force of the wind. It is used to pump water out of borehole to a generating set for the production of electricity. 

ADVANTAGES

1. It is  cheap
2. It is available everywhere
3. It can serve as alternative to electricity

DISADVANTAGES

1. Its supply depends on the force of wind
2. It is limited to certain farm operations
3. It cannot be stored
4. It is difficult to control
5. Efficiency is highly varied

WATER POWER

This is power generated from water flowing in rivers, dams and streams. It is best harnessed when dams are built. The large head of water resulting from big dams turn mighty turbines which produce power for generating electricity.

ADVANTAGES OF WATER POWER

1. Water can be used for irrigation
2. It can converted to other forms

DISADVANTAGES   OF WATER POWER

1. It is not available in all areas
2. It does not supply power directly
3. It can be destructive if carelessly handled
4. How level of water can affect its efficiency

BIOGAS POWER

This is power generated through animal waste (esp animals dung). They are carefully collected and processed through scientific means to produce certain gases that provide power.

ADVANTAGES

1. It is a cheap source of power
2. Power derived from biogas can be used as a source of heat for brooding
3. The power can be used for cooking and drying
4. It can be easily controlled
5. It can convert chemical power in dung into heat power

DISADVANTAGE

1. It is not a common source of power
2. It requires expertise which may not readily be available
3. It may be expensive to set up and maintain
4. It is only limited to where animals are reared on commercial basis so that dung will be readily available.

ASSIGNMENT

1. Define Farm power
2. Name the sources of farm power
3. Write five advantages and five disadvantages of any one source.