SEEMCHURCH FARMS- STORAGE FACILITIES AND OTHER FARM BUILDINGS IN AGRICULTURE

We have studied various posts on farming and improving our understanding about various farms and farming methods, one part of farming we have not touched is how this agricultural products would be stored when they have been produced and the various structures that are erected on the farm stead including those for storage. We shall quickly look into a few of them now and and their various importance.

Storage facilities are structure in which agricultural product are stored. It is very important and sacrosanct to have a proper storage facility in your farm as this prevents massive attack of pests, rodents and even theft.
Different agricultural products have their varying storage facility that best suit its kind.
Some of these storage facilities are highlighted below;

1.) Silo:
This is a big cylindrical material which is made up of steel where some farm produce such as grains are stored. Examples of these grains are; maize,rice wheat, beans etc.

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Barns are smaller forms of silo which are moveable.

2.) Maize Crib:
Maize crib is made up of wooden materials, wire mesh of 1cm and corrugated iron sheet. It is also used for storing grains especially maize cobs.

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3.) Rhombus:
This is usually a raised mud plattform and is covered with tightly wooven grasses which help to keep insects and rodents away from the grains.

4.) Grain Platform:
Grain platform is similar to a Rhombus, it is commonly used in the Southern part of Nigeria. It is made up of one bi-forked post at each of its four corners which are joined with wooden beams that are super imposed with wooden raffers to form a raised platform.

FARM BUILDINGS
Farm buildings are buildings erected on a farm stead to serve a specific or particular purpose, farm buildings include the following;

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• Administrative/ farm office

• Feed mill complex

• Residential house/ building

• Farm animal house

• Poultry house

• Fence

• Security post

• Equipment or tractor building shed

• Stores

• Workshop

• Farm road

Uses Of Farm Storage Structures

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1.) They are used to preserve the quality and quantity of crops.

2.) They protect agricultural products from pests and theft

3.) They are used to ensure national food security e.g Federal Government uses silo to store food mostly during dry seasons.

Uses Of Farm Buildings

Farm buildings are also of great importance in a farm stead as they are necessary for the successful and smooth running of farm operations. A few out of its numerous importance are highlighted below;

1.) They provide conducive environment for raising livestocks on the farm.

2.) Provides accommodation for worker on the farm.

3.) Makes work more easier

4.) Ensures the security of lives and properties e.g Security gate.

5.) They add to the beauty of the farm through different ornamental flower planted around the farm.

Factors To Be Considered Before Setting A Farmstead

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Factors to be considered before setting a farm stead are the conditions and terms applied in sitting a farm stead, conditions that wouldn't be detrimental to either the farm or the nearest locality in which it is sited, but instead should be beneficial to both.
Some of these factors are;

1.) The direction of the wind

2.) Good and accessible roads

3.) Presence of good drainage system

4.) Nearness to the market

5.) Power supply

6.) Topography of the land

7.) It should be located where it would be accessible but not to be a nuisance and disturbance to the public.