Basic Knowledge in Agriculture #14

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INTRODUCTION

Agriculture is the central processing system of every nation, it is the backbone powering the nations economy, sheltering it's citizens and as well nurturing them. The food we eat, the clothes we wear, the houses we live in, books we write on, money we use for transactions, the cars we drive, the cream we apply, and even the medications we take are all direct or indirect products of agriculture originating either from animals or plants. By this, it is evidence that the impact of Agriculture cuts across all aspects of life therefore, should be held in high esteem.

Despites the ultimate role of Agriculture in shaping and rebranding life, many nations and communities are unable to practice agriculture in totality due the reasons such as the use of crude instruments, few human labourers, and imperfect man workers to mention but a few. It is based on this that I wish to commend @hive-118902 for bring this innovative and timely topic "Basic Knowledge in Agriculture #12" for discussion. Because with this topic, we will be looking at basic solutions to the problems identified earlier. This work will primarily focus on the following areas:

1. Elucidating the concept of Agricultural Technology
2. Identifying Modern Agricultural Equipment and Uses.

Agricultural Technology is an emerging word in the field of agriculture especially, here in Africa and this could be attributed to our undeveloped and developing state. To ensure clarity and as well reduce ambiguity, let's define the word singly before pairing. Going by this, Agriculture refers to the planting of crops and the rearing of animals for the benefits of man. While, Technology refers to the application of knowledge in solving complex task. In other words, it refers to the use of technical and innovative facilities to accomplish a given task.

Agricultural Technology as an agricultural construct refers to the application of improved and innovative tools, machines, electronics, facilities in the rearing of animals and the cultivation of crops. These equipment makes the cultivation and rearing of animals more easier as a single machine can perform a work that ten (10) skilled workers would have done in ten days just in a day.

1. Drone:

Pixelbay

This is an Agricultural equipment used basically for monitoring the farm land. It contains a video camera and has tendency of flying high into the sky so as to get a full survey of what it Intends to achieve. It uses includes though not limited to the following;

1. It helps in crop monitoring and health assessment through the detection of disease and assessing of plant nutrients with the aim of controlling and intervening disease.

2. Drone can as well be used for field mapping and surveying as some modern drones have the capability of generating detailed map of a given farm land thus, enabling the farm manager to under study the different soil type and plant variation present in a farm land.

3. Some modern drones can be used to supply seeds into the soil thus, facilitating the planting of crops.

4. In an animal farm, drones could be used for livestock supervision, animal counting as well as variation detection among others.

5. Drones can also be used to detect pest and weeds in a farm land.

6. Most modern and advanced researchers uses drones to collect data for their research works. These data may be that of soil, plants variations, soil type, environmental conditions etc.

7. Tractors:

Pixelbay

These are large Vehicles which helps farm managers in the following ways;

1. Tilling and plowing: tractors can be used to break the ground and as well prepare the soil for the planting of crops.

2. Some tractors have an attachment called harvesters which helps in the harvesting of Agricultural products such as grains, legumes and vegetables.

3. Tractors helps in the transportation of Agricultural products, and equipment to the area there are needed for used . This tractors have pans which facilitates the carrying of these products and equipment.

4. Tractors in which pump is been attached to can be used for irrigation purposes.

5. Some tractors can be used to bring down unwanted trees, and as well as applying fertilizer and pesticides to plant

6. Irrigation systems:

Pixelbay

Irrigation system refers to the process or the infrastructures involved in the application of water to a farm land or garden especially in areas where there is insufficient water. Water irrigation helps in the following ways;

1. Modern and innovative irrigation systems helps in the conservation of water. Here, the water is always recycled and used continuously.
2. Liquid fertilizer which is added to water could be distributed to needed areas of plants through proper irrigation systems.
3. Liquid pesticides and herbicides can be distributed to essential areas where they are needed through the used of proper irrigation systems
4. Irrigation system plays vital roles in plant growth support. Here, watering of plants, application of fertilizers and spraying of pest sets in.

Agricultural Technology is beneficial to man in the following ways;

1. Agricultural Technology makes farming more exciting by reducing human efforts. Imagine how exciting one would feel using a drone to monitor his/her large farm land in check of pest and plant diseases instead of moving around for inspection.
2. It's faster and easier: with Agricultural Technology, a farmer do not need to spend days clearing his/her farm land or hours watering the crops when we have modern tractors and innovative irrigation systems
3. It gives room for multitasking: here, a farmer could programmed different machines to do different functions at the same or about the same time.
4. It enables farmers to cultivate large piece of land enhancing commercial purposes.
5. It enhances the integration of scientific discovery into agriculture, which in turn helps to fight against pest.

As it is always said, to every merits there are demerits and Agricultural Technology is not an exception. The following are some demerits of Agricultural Technology

1. High cost of equipment: these agricultural tools though very essential and useful to agriculture, their costs is not something to play along with as they are very expensive to purchase.
2. Lack of adequate man power: since most of these machines requires adequate skill in order to operate them, the lack of available skilled man power to operate the machines brings lots of hindrance in it effective usage.
3. Air pollution: it is true that most of these machines uses fuel which sends out carbon(IV)oxide and carbon monoxide into the atmosphere. Thus polluting the air.

The integration of scientific equipment with the intention of solving Agricultural problems is the mainstream of Agricultural Technology. Through the use of agricultural seminars and workshops, Agricultural Technology will be fully utilize in the field of agriculture so as to enhance maximum yield.

I am inviting @basil20, @nsijoro, and @dwing to join the contest.