Introduction
In accomplishing various activities such as lifting heavy objects, the weight of the object to be lifted depends on the body weight which is proportional to the power needed for lifting the object. This means that the power needed to perform a certain
task is proportional to the resultant work done. In agriculture, power is needed to undertake farm activities such as tillage, transportation, processing, and other field operations. In this chapter, you will learn about the concept of farm power,
sources of farm power, and criteria to consider when selecting appropriate farm power. You will also learn about the concept of heat engines and their systems.
The competencies developed from this chapter will enable you to choose and use appropriate farm power that will improve agricultural production.
Concept of farm power
Farm power is the amount of energy provided by various sources such as humans, animals, or machines required to perform a certain farm operation. Farm power is used to operate tools such as hand-hoe, implements such as ploughs and machines such as planters and combine harvesters. The decision on the type of farm power to employ depends on its capacity, functions, and economic factors. These factors have led to a shift of farm power from human to animal; to water and wind power; from
steam engines to internal combustion engines, and electric motors. Depending on the economic levels and nature of the farm operation, all sources of power are still in use to date.
TOPICS
1. FARM POWER
2. WORKSHOP TECHNOLOGY
3. SOIL SCIENCE
4. CROP PESTS
5. WEED SCIENCE
6. PLANT DISEASES
7. ANIMAL NUTRITION
8. PASTURE AGRONOMY
9. AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION ECONOMICS
10. FARM PLANNING
11. INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY (ICT) IN AGRICULTURE
In accomplishing various activities such as lifting heavy objects, the weight of the object to be lifted depends on the body weight which is proportional to the power needed for lifting the object. This means that the power needed to perform a certain
task is proportional to the resultant work done. In agriculture, power is needed to undertake farm activities such as tillage, transportation, processing, and other field operations. In this chapter, you will learn about the concept of farm power,
sources of farm power, and criteria to consider when selecting appropriate farm power. You will also learn about the concept of heat engines and their systems.
The competencies developed from this chapter will enable you to choose and use appropriate farm power that will improve agricultural production.
Concept of farm power
Farm power is the amount of energy provided by various sources such as humans, animals, or machines required to perform a certain farm operation. Farm power is used to operate tools such as hand-hoe, implements such as ploughs and machines such as planters and combine harvesters. The decision on the type of farm power to employ depends on its capacity, functions, and economic factors. These factors have led to a shift of farm power from human to animal; to water and wind power; from
steam engines to internal combustion engines, and electric motors. Depending on the economic levels and nature of the farm operation, all sources of power are still in use to date.
TOPICS
1. FARM POWER
2. WORKSHOP TECHNOLOGY
3. SOIL SCIENCE
4. CROP PESTS
5. WEED SCIENCE
6. PLANT DISEASES
7. ANIMAL NUTRITION
8. PASTURE AGRONOMY
9. AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION ECONOMICS
10. FARM PLANNING
11. INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY (ICT) IN AGRICULTURE
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