INTRODUCTION
source: wbdfarmmachinery
Agriculture today has grow to the extent that
simple farm tools cannot do work
fast not even to provide
sufficient food for the
large population.
Presently now the growth of
mechanize agriculture in the world, as not even make
food sufficient for people. Instead people are still complaining there is no
food.
Geographically, the increase of population in the world every day make
food production don't match population growth.
Mechanize agriculture is the source to solve the problem of
food insufficiency.
Mechanize agriculture is the process of using machine in
farm as a source of labour. It cover large are of land.
In the ancient Mesopotamia time
mechanize agriculture is carry out with the introduction of the plough, usually powered by animals.
The
first models of
cotton picker were introduced in 1940s and this do the work of large
cotton pickers. In 1880s the reaper and
threshing machine were combined into the combine harvester. In the late, 19th century steam power was applied to
threshing machines.
MODERN MECHANIZE AGRICULTURE
source: wikimedia
Modern mechanize agriculture is one of the factor responsible for urbanization and industrial economies.
Modern
mechanize agriculture includes the use of Tractors,Trucks, Harvesters, Combine, Crop dusters e.t.c.
Since modern
mechanize agriculture became the key factor in increasing crops production, it will also contribute to better management of inputs and increase large corporate farms e t c.
20th CENTURY MECHANIZATION
In the 20th century
agricultural machinery became the source of labour in the farm. One tractor can do work of many horses.
Mechanization has increased the output of farmers and lessened the hard labour that involved. Most
agriculturalists prefer using machine to do all their work in farm than using labour. Also using Agro-chemicals like insecticides, fertilizers and herbicides. In the process of planting and harvesting, machine do work fast and help to increase food production.
The 20th century should be the greatest period of the growth in
agriculture productivity in the world, due to the increase of population. Every one need food. Today many are investing in agriculture, but not considering the aspect of maintenance of tractors,which is the strength of
mechanize agriculture.
Agriculture today, the horse population in farming declined after the conversion of agriculture and transportation to internal combustion.
Since 1930 up to date sophisticated machine are used in farming, especially in
mechanize agriculture. The used of steam- Engines end in the 1895-1900,from 1930's Diesel- Engines, three point linkage, combine harvester e.t.c.
From 1990's sophisticated electronic, sophisticated software, yield mapping e.t.c.
All these mentioned above are all involved in carrying out
modern agriculture operations now.
MECHANIZATION PROBLEMS
Many problems are facing
agricultural mechanization. The problems are as follows:
1. Agricultural machinery are expensive for many farmers to have confidence in.
2. Mechanization is too expensive for poor farmers to practice.
3. The type of topography may not suit farm machinery operations.
4. Mechanize agriculture involved large area of lands, which poor farmers can not afford.
5. Lacks of maintenance of machines and implements.
6. Farm machinery spare parts are not available and no adequate facilities for the repair.
Reviewed by: Omagbemi Nelson Tosan
REFERENCES
Douglas H.R (1991): Agriculture Technology in the twentieth centiry. Sunflower University press. Manhatan, kans.
White William J. Economic history of Tractors in the United States.
Ford, Henry and Samuel (1922): My life and Work: An autobiography.
19oo: History of farm machinery in British.
To learn more visit the Geography articles and Geography Resource sections.
