(a) What does mechaniztion mean in Agriculture?
(b) What are the advantages and disadvantages of mechanization?
(c) State and discuss briefly four limitations of mechanization in Agriculture?
Explanation
Mechanization in Agriclture simply means the use of modern farm inputs to increase productivity and efficiency. It also involves the use of motorised equipments like tractors, planters, farm implements like plough, harrow, ridgers etc and also the use of chemicals, improved seeds and fertilizers to increase production.
Advantages of mechanization are (i) Mechanization increases production (ii) It reduces health hazards (iii) it supplements human power for heavy duty job (iv) There is timeliness in farm operation. (v) It encourages large scale farming (vi) It makes naturally difficult and unpleasent manual jobs, easy and pleasant
Disadvantages of mechanization are (i) Displacement of workers (ii) Destruction of soil structure (iii) It causes environmental pollution (iv) There is compaction of soil by machines
Limitations of agricultural mechanization are (i) Economic Limitation: farmers are generally poor. They do not have money to buy inputs like tractors, fertilizers, chemicals, seeds, etc (ii) Technical know-how: Most farmers do not know how to operate machines or apply fertilizers. They do not read instructions attached to the implements. (iii) small holdings of of farmlands: Most farmers cultivate small farmlands because they are poor and as a result of thetype of land tenure system practiced in Nigeria (iv) Lack of maintenance: Farmers cannot repair farm tools and implements. Spare parts are scarce, expensive with no trained personnel to repair machines.