8 Farm Powers, Description, Advantages and Disadvantages  

What is Farm Powers

Farm power refers to various sources of energy or powers used in farming operations. Farming requires the use of one or more sources of Farm power to accomplish certain tasks. Some examples of farm power available in agriculture are expensive, while others are less expensive (very cheap) and require high technology to harness or make them available.

Farming operations such as tillage, clearing, refrigerating, winnowing, harrowing, ridging, and more require the use of farm power to accomplish specific operations. These farm powers can be manual, mechanical, or electrically powered. Some are required to be converted from chemical to mechanical, mechanical to electrical energy, and more.

Farm power such as solar and wind power can be harnessed or converted into electric power for operating farm machines and implements. Farm powers used in agriculture are human, Animal, Mechanical, Electrical, Solar, and biogas. Wind power and more are some of the sources of power used in agriculture.

 List of Farm Powers Used in Agriculture

The types of farm powers used in agriculture as highlighted by the West Africa exanimation Council are  

1. Human power,
2. Animal power,
3. Wind power
4. Water power
5. Mechanical power,
6. Electrical power,
7. Solar power,
8. biogas

Human power

Human power is the effort applied manually to perform farm operations.  It is the energy derived by human beings, and it is the most common source of power used in carrying out farming operations. Man is the most intelligent source of power compared to other sources on the farm

Human power is measured in man-days and can be skilled (educated), semi-skilled (little education with technical skills), or unskilled (no education). This type of labour can be provided by family members or hired. The reward for human labor can be a salary (monthly payment), stipends, or wages.

It is the most versatile source of labour used in operations such as Land preparation (ploughing, harrowing, ridging), sowing or planting of seeds, Pest, and disease control, maintenance of crops, harvesting, processing, and marketing of farm produce.

 Labor mobility and mortality have made human labor very scarce in some countries and abundantly available in other countries. Human labour easily gets tired which limits their input and productivity.

Merits/Advantages of the Human Labour

The advantages of human labor as a source of farm power are enumerated below.

1. Man is the most intelligent compared to other sources of farm power
2. Human labor involves more people than other sources of power
3. It is the most versatile source of labor used in performing different farm operation
4. Man helps to control farm machines and implement
5. Man is used for precision operation or jobs on the farm (i.e. can not easily destroy economic crops)
6. Humans due to their intelligent nature can control/coordinate or operate other sources of farm power

 Demerits/Disadvantages of the Human Labour

The Demerits/Disadvantages of the Human Labour in the agricultural industries are listed below.

1. Man can easily die.
2. High incidence of pests and diseases can limit human performance.
3.  It is usually time-consuming
4.  Human labor can get tired or exhausted easily.
5.  The rate of work done decreases with age or time spent.
6. The Output from human labor is very low
7. It is not appropriate for large-scale farming.

Animal Power in Agriculture

 This involves the use of farm animals such as oxen, horses, donkeys, and buffaloes to carry out farming operations such as ploughing, harrowing, ridging, and transportation on the farm. The animals used in executing work on the farm are also called work animals, draught animals, or beasts of burden.

These work or draught animals are yoked to farm implements and are dragged or pulled around the soil with the help of human power, and as the animal pulls the implement along the soil tillage is achieved. Animals used for tillage or draught purposes must possess strong hooves, excellent stride or stance, good health, excellent hind limbs, slop py rumps, and more.

These work animals are used in transporting farm inputs such as fertilizers, herbicides, insecticides, water, and other agrochemicals as well as harvested farm produce such as yam, rice, and maize in and around the farm. Draught animals are mostly used in carrying farm produce and inputs in the Sahara and sub-Saharan deserts.

Merits/Advantages of Animal Power

The advantages of animal power in agriculture are:

1. It is effectively used in areas with poor terrains or geographical areas.
2. It constitutes the cheapest source of power used on the farm.
3. It can easily be hired like any other source of farm.
4.  Animal power does not easily get tired like human beings.
5. The output is higher than that of the human.
6. It is an excellent power for tedious jobs compared to human power.

Demerits/Disadvantages of Animal Power

The disadvantages of animal power in agriculture are listed below:

1. Work animals can get tired
2. The outputs from animal power are lower than those of machines.
3. Pest and Disease may limit their performance.
4. Poor maintenance can lead to the death of work animals.
5. draught animals can eat up economic crops.
6. The cost of maintaining animals is high.
7. It is not as intelligent as man and hence needs to be directed to perform certain.

Wind Power

 Wind as a source of farm power involves the conversion of the force of the moving air into electricity through windmills.

The windmills work by converting the wind power into mechanical energy which is used in carrying out different farm operations. Wind power can be harnessed to operate water pumps for artificial irrigation, and the windmill can be driven to operate a feed grinder in the feed processing industries, winnowing (i.e. separating the chaff from grain), for driving an electric generator, and drying of harvested farm produce.

Animal Power

 This involves the use of farm animals such as oxen, horses, donkeys, and buffaloes to carry out farming operations such as ploughing, harrowing, ridging, and transportation on the farm. The animals used in performing work on the farm are also called work animals, draught animals, or beasts of burden.

These work or draught animals are yoked to farm implements and are dragged or pulled around the soil with the help of human power, and as the animal pulls the implement along the soil tillage is achieved. The Animal used for work must possess strong hooves, excellent stride or stance, good health, excellent hind limb, slop py rumps, and more.

These work animals are used in transporting farm inputs such as fertilizers, herbicides, insecticides, water, and other agrochemicals as well as harvested farm produce such as yam, rice, and maize in and around the farm. Draught animals are mostly used in carrying farm produce and inputs in the Sahara and sub-Saharan deserts.

Merits/Advantages of Animal Power

The advantages of animal power in agriculture are:

1. It is effectively used in areas with poor terrains or geographical area
2. It constitutes the cheapest  source of power use on the farm
3. It can easily be hired like any other source of farm
4.  Animal power does not easily get tired like human beings.
5. The output is higher than that of the human
6. It is an excellent power for tedious jobs compared to human power

Demerits/Disadvantages of Animal Power

The disadvantages of animal power in agriculture are listed below:

1. Work animals can easily get tired.
2. The outputs from animal power are lower than those of machines.
3. Pest and Disease may limit their performance.
4. Poor maintenance can lead to the death of work animals.
5. draught animals can eat economic crops.
6. The cost of maintaining animals is high.
7. It is not as intelligent as man and hence, needs to be directed to perform certain activities.

Wind Power

 Wind as a source of farm power involves converting the force of the moving air into electricity through windmills.

The wind millwork converts wind power into mechanical energy which is used in performing different farm operations on the farm. Wind power can be harnessed to operate water pumps for artificial irrigation, the windmill can be driven to operate a feed grinder in the feed processing industries, winnowing (i.e. separating the chaff from grain), driving an electric generator, and drying of harvested farm produce.

Merits/Advantages of Wind Power

The advantages of the wind as a source of power include:

1. It is very safe to use.
2. Wind is cheap to use and is readily available.
3. Wind power is a clean source of farm power (i.e. it does not pollute the environment)
4. Wind is a renewable source of energy.
5. Its running cost is very low.
6. Wind can easily be converted into electrical or mechanical power.

Demerits/Disadvantages Wind Power

Some of the disadvantages of wind as a source of power include:

1. It is erratic or not reliable.
2. Its efficiency is highly variable (i.e.  Highly uncertain).
3. It is highly influenced by weather conditions.
4. It cannot be easily stored and controlled.
5.  Its uses are limited to certain farm operations.
6. The initial cost of installation may be very high.
7. It requires technical know-how to operate.
8. Windmills may occupy large areas of the farm leading to land wastage for farming.

Water Power

 This type of power is derived from rivers, streams, or dams. It involves harnessing running water from streams, rivers, and dams in the hydroelectric station to drive turbines for generating electricity, transportation (such as logs of wood, farm produce, etc.) operating steam engines, and pumping water for irrigation.

Merits/Advantages Water Power

The advantages of water as a source of power include:

1. It is a cheap source of power (i.e. highly affordable).
2. It is very easy to harness.
3. It does not lead to pollution of the environment.
4. Water power can easily be converted to mechanical or electrical power.

 Demerits/Disadvantages Water Power

Some notable disadvantages of the water as a power are:

1. Its variation in quantity affects the production of electricity.
2. It is readily available in some areas but scarce in other areas.
3. It is highly seasonal.
4. Its effect is highly destructive if not handled with care.

Mechanical Power

This types of power are applied by using farm machines in executing or performing farming operations. This type of farm power is used in the agricultural industries for processing farm produce such as cassava grater, digester in palm oil production, operating plough, planter, harvester, and other implements.

The use of farm machines in agriculture is referred to as farm mechanization which forms the bedrock of modern agriculture.   Examples of mechanical power in the agricultural industries include tractors, generators, water pumps, and bulldozers to carry out various farm operations.

Merits/Advantages of Mechanical Power

Some of the Merits/Advantages of machine as a source of farm Power are:

1. It increases the rate of work done.
2. The works are very neat.
3. It reduces the stress associated with agricultural activities (I.e. makes work less tedious and efficient).
4. A large quantity of agricultural activities can be done within a short time.
5. Output from mechanical power is very high.
6. Machines help to remove farm drudgery (i.e. tiredness).
7. Mechanical power is the best for large-scale agricultural operations.  

Demerits/Disadvantages Mechanical Power

Some of the disadvantages of machines as a source of farm Power are:

1. they are very expensive to purchase.
2. they are very expensive to maintain.
3. It requires technical know-how to operate.
4. The use of farm machines can easily destroy soil structure.
5. Machines can lead to the pollution of the environment.

Electrical Power

This type of power is generated from hydroelectricity and generators, and it is used in the agricultural industries for powering farm machines such as dryers, incubators, grinders, mixers, shellers, hydraulic pumps, and more. 

Additionally, electricity is used in powering refrigerators for the storage of agricultural produce and serves as a source of light in poultry pens and farmhouses.

 Merits/Advantages of Electrical Power

The merits/advantages of electrical energy as a source of farm power are

1. Electricity is very easy to operate.
2. It is very dependable.
3.  It is a versatile source of farm power.
4. It is a clean source of farm power.
5. It is very efficient.
6. Its availability reduces the cost of production.  

Demerits/Disadvantages of Electrical Power

The demerits/disadvantages of electrical energy as a source of farm power are:

1. It is very expensive.
2. It cannot be used in field operations.
3. Electricity supply may be irregular or erratic.
4. It can lead to fire outbreaks on the farm.
5.  It is hazardous or dangerous to life, if not well-handled.

Solar Power

Solar power involves harnessing solar energy with the aid of a solar panel or cell for generating electricity. It involves the conversion of the radiation and heat from the sun into a form that can be used for operating various appliances in the farmstead.

 Solar power is converted into electricity for operating water pumps, drying grains, fish, and other agricultural products in the farmstead.

Merits/Advantages of Solar power

The Merits/Advantages Solar power as a source of farm power are:

1. Solar energy is a cheap source of farm power.
2. It can be stored for a long period after use.
3. It is environmentally friendly (i.e. it does not pollute the environment).
4. The solar panel lasts for a long period (i.e. long life span ).
5. Solar energy is a neat source of power.
6. Solar power can be technologically adapted into various sizes to suit individual needs.
7. Solar power is economically viable and competitive.

Demerits/Disadvantages of Solar Power

1. The performance is highly dependent on weather conditions (i.e. erratic or irregular).
2. It requires skilled personnel for installation and maintenance.
3. the cost of initial installation is very high.
4. It can only be harnessed during the day.
5. Solar power may not be suitable for empowering or operating heavy-duty farm machines or appliances.

Biogas as Farm Power

This source of farm power involves the accumulation of farm animal faece in a pit, allowing it to decay and releasing hydrocarbon gas trapped for heating and lightning. Biogas is a new technology that is gaining prominence in the agricultural industry.

Merits/Advantages of Biogas

The Merits/Advantages of Biogas  as a source of farm power are

1. It is cost-effective (i.e. very cheap).
2. It does not pollute the environment.
3. Biogas can serve as an excellent source of heat in brooder houses.
4. It is used in the farmstead for cooking and drying agricultural produce

Demerits/Disadvantages of Biogas  

The demerits/disadvantages of Biogas  as a source of farm power are

1. Animal faeces may lead to environmental pollution.
2. It is highly irregular or limited in areas where farm animals are not abundant.
3. It requires technical know-how to operate which may not be readily available.

In conclusion

Farm powers used on the farm are cheap and readily available. These include Human power, Animal power, Wind power, Water power, mechanical power, Electrical power, Solar power, and biogas.