​What are Agricultural Machinery

​What are Agricultural Machinery

Agricultural Machinery is also used to improve the wide range of production practices employed by our farmers. It makes use of hybrid seeds of a selected variety of a single crop, technologically advanced equipment and lots of energy subsidies in the form of irrigation water, fertilizers and pesticides.

What Are Agricultural Machinery?

Agricultural machinery refers to the mechanical devices and equipment used in farming and agriculture to improve efficiency, productivity, and reduce manual labor. From simple hand tools to complex, technologically advanced machines, these devices have revolutionized farming practices worldwide.

Key Takeaway: 

Agricultural machinery has transformed farming from a labor-intensive process to a highly efficient, technology-driven industry. By understanding and utilizing the right equipment, farmers can significantly increase their productivity, reduce costs, and contribute to global food security.

Farming is no longer a small scale production, but rather one that is done with huge machines over thousands of hectares. This efficiency boost means that the world has access to any food it wants at any time. 

We cannot compare the use of a hand spade to the use of a tractor, as both tools have their own importance and ensure greater productivity at farms.

The only thing a farmer needs to do to be productive is to plant, reap and sow at the right time with the right equipment and in the right season. Farming needs different farm implements to be used in the various steps in farming operations. To make a significant difference and enhance the value of the produce a farmer needs to keep their farm on a stable schedule and choose the right equipment.

The operations of farming for which machines are used are diverse. For crop production, they include handling of residues from previous crops; primary and secondary tillage of the soil; fertilizer distribution and application; seeding, planting, and transplanting; cultivation; pest control; harvesting; transportation; storage; premarketing processing; drainage; irrigation and erosion control; and water conservation. Livestock production, which not so long ago depended primarily on the pitchfork and scoop shovel, now uses many complicated and highly sophisticated machines for handling water, feed, bedding, and manure, as well as for the many special operations involved in producing milk and eggs.

Uses and Importance

Accomplishing the right farming operations using the right agricultural machinery not only saves the time for a farmer but also helps to increase the fertility and efficiency of a farm.

They are capable of doing the maximum in minimum time, with reducing the cost of farming operations. Even at minimum speed, these farm machines have the capability to work twice as fast as human workers.

Additionally, these machines are also being upgraded and redesigned with the upcoming technologies to make them more eco-friendly. These upgrades make sure economic and environmental savings make them compatible to further use in the future.

There are various types of farm implements or farm machinery that are frequently used for different farming operations such as tilling the ground, planting, seeding, harvesting and to perform a number of other tasks.

These machines inevitably enhance the production in some or the other way thus reducing the manpower and automatically enhancing the economy of the countries.

There are many types of equipment used by farmers; they are hand tools, power tools like tractors. The most important aspect of modern agriculture is the tractor. It provides many other implements and furnishes power for the operation of machines drawn behind the tractor. These equipment are used in both organic and nonorganic farming. Now let’s get into details of Agricultural machinery types

Modern Agricultural Technologies

To make the article more engaging and current, we can add a section on cutting-edge technologies in agricultural machinery:

  1. Precision Agriculture: GPS-guided tractors and drones for precise planting, fertilizing, and harvesting.
  2. IoT in Farming: Smart sensors and connected devices for real-time monitoring of soil conditions, crop health, and equipment performance.
  3. Autonomous Machinery: Self-driving tractors and robotic harvesters that can work 24/7 with minimal human intervention.
  4. AI and Machine Learning: Predictive maintenance for farm equipment and AI-powered decision support systems for crop management.
  5. Vertical Farming Equipment: Specialized machinery for indoor and urban farming, including hydroponic and aeroponic systems.

Types of Agricultural Machinery 

Tractors

Tractor is widely used farm machinery. Both commercial and subsistence farmers make use of tractor for doing work. It is typically a wheeled vehicle with large wheels. Tractors mostly do not do any farm work themselves, rather other farm equipment that do some farm work are attached to it. The main task is to draw or pull those machines so that they will execute the tasks they are meant for. Those machines that cannot propel or move themselves are attached to tractors. It can also be used to haul trailers to be used for agricultural purposes. Tractors can also be used to power machines that cannot power themselves. It is available in various sizes depending on the type of machine to be attached to it.

Combined Harvester 

Combined harvester is a versatile machine designed to efficiently harvest a variety of grain crops. The name derives from its combining three separate harvesting operations—reaping, threshing, and winnowing—into a single process. Example of a combine harvester we carry is the Massey Ferguson. Range includes models from 175-459hp. 

Plough

A Plough is used for initial cultivation of soil in preparation for sowing seed and planting. The purpose of ploughing is to turn over the upper layer of the soil. It brings fresh nutrients to the surface and remains of previous crops, allowing them to break down. In modern use, a ploughing field is typically left to dry out and then harrowed before planting.

Harrows

A harrow is an implement for cultivating the surface of the soil. It is different in its effect on Plough and used for deeper cultivation. It is often used to carry out on fields for Ploughing operations. It provides a finer finish, for a good soil structure that is suitable for seeding and planting operations.

Expanded Categories of Agricultural Machinery

  1. Soil Cultivation Equipment
    • Ploughs
    • Harrows
    • Cultivators
    • Rotavators
  2. Planting and Seeding Machinery
    • Seed drills
    • Transplanters
    • Broadcast seeders
  3. Irrigation Equipment
    • Sprinklers
    • Drip irrigation systems
    • Center pivot irrigation
  4. Crop Protection and Fertilizing Machinery
    • Sprayers
    • Spreaders
    • Dusters
  5. Harvesting Equipment
    • Combine harvesters
    • Reapers
    • Threshers
    • Potato and root crop harvesters
  6. Post-Harvest and Processing Equipment
    • Grain dryers
    • Mills
    • Sorters and graders
  7. Livestock Equipment
    • Milking machines
    • Automated feeders
    • Egg collectors
  8. Transport and Storage Equipment
    • Trailers
    • Silos
    • Grain elevators

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. Q: How has agricultural machinery impacted modern farming? A: Agricultural machinery has dramatically increased farming efficiency, reduced labor requirements, and enabled large-scale food production. It has allowed farmers to cultivate larger areas, improve crop yields, and reduce the physical demands of farming.
  2. Q: What are the benefits of using precision agriculture technologies? A: Precision agriculture technologies, such as GPS-guided equipment and IoT sensors, allow for more accurate planting, fertilizing, and harvesting. This results in optimized resource use, reduced waste, and improved crop yields.
  3. Q: How do autonomous farming machines work? A: Autonomous farming machines use a combination of GPS, sensors, and AI to navigate fields and perform tasks without direct human control. They can work around the clock, increasing productivity and reducing labor costs.
  4. Q: What factors should farmers consider when choosing agricultural machinery? A: Farmers should consider factors such as farm size, crop types, soil conditions, budget, maintenance requirements, and technological compatibility when selecting agricultural machinery.
  5. Q: How is agricultural machinery addressing environmental concerns? A: Modern agricultural machinery is becoming more environmentally friendly through improved fuel efficiency, precision application of inputs (reducing waste and runoff), and the development of electric and hybrid models to reduce emissions.

Conclusion

In the early 19th century, animals were the chief source of power in farming. Later in the century, steam power gained importance. During World War I gasoline- (petrol-) powered tractors became common, and diesel engines later became prevalent. In the developed countries, the number of farm workers has steadily declined in the 20th century, while farm production has increased because of the use of machinery.

Agricultural machinery, mechanical devices, including tractors and implements, are used in farming to save labour. Farm machines include a great variety of devices with a wide range of complexity, from simple hand-held implements used since prehistoric times to the complex harvesters of modern mechanized agriculture.

For further inquiries about agricultural machinery contact GZ Industrial Supplies today, we have the best agricultural machineries that are suitable for your farming operations. 

Oct 07, 2020 Anthony Ubong

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