24 Questions
What is the main disadvantage of human power in agricultural production systems?
Costliest power compared to all other forms of power, very low efficiency, requires full maintenance when not in use, and affected by weather conditions and seasons.
What percentage of agricultural mechanization in developing countries is accounted for by animal power?
About 20%
What is the classification of draught animals based on their body weight?
Small (200 to 300 kg), Medium (301 to 400kg), large (401 to 500 kg), and heavy (above 500kg)
What is the power developed by an average pair of bullocks for usual farm work?
About 1 hp
What are the main advantages of animal power in agricultural production systems?
Easily available, Used for all types of work, Low initial investment, Supplies manure to the field and fuels to farmers, and Lives on farm produce.
How do engines convert fuel chemical energy into mechanical power?
Through combustion of fuel, which causes one or more reciprocating pistons to turn a crankshaft.
What are some examples of mechanical power sources used in agricultural production systems?
Tractors, Power tillers, Stationary I.C engines (Diesel engines and petrol or Kerosene engine) used for pumping water, flour mill, chaff cutter, sugarcane crusher, thresher, winnower, and Self-propelled machines.
What is the main advantage of mechanical power over human and animal power?
Higher efficiency and speed
What is the main advantage of electrical power in farming?
Very cheap form of power; high efficiency; can work at a stretch; maintenance and operating cost is very low and not affected by weather conditions.
What are the limitations of using wind energy for farm work?
Uncertainty and limited availability, especially in areas with low wind velocity.
What are the advantages of diesel power in farming?
Efficiency is high; not affected by weather; requires less space and cheaper form of power.
What is the main disadvantage of diesel power in farming?
Initial capital investment is high; fuel is costly and repairs and maintenance needs technical knowledge.
What are the applications of electrical power in agriculture?
Irrigation, water supply, dairy industry, cold storage, fruit processing, and cattle feed grinding.
What are the advantages of renewable energy in agriculture?
Inexhaustible in nature; can be used for various agricultural processing operations.
What is the minimum wind velocity required for using wind mills in farming?
32 km/h
What is the average capacity of a wind mill in farming?
0.5 hp
What is farm power, and what are its primary objectives?
Farm power concerns all the means to carry out essential farming operations. Its primary objectives are to operate farm equipment for farming operations, such as tractive work and stationary work.
What are the two broad categories of agricultural operations?
Tractive work and stationary work.
What are the five sources of farm power?
Human power, animal draught, mechanical power, electrical power, and alternative power (e.g. solar, wind, biogas).
What is the maximum power a strong man can develop for doing farm work?
About 75 watts (approximately 0.1hp).
What type of work is typically done using human power?
Operating small tools and implements, and doing stationary work like threshing, winnowing, chaff cutting, and lifting irrigation water.
What are some examples of equipment operated by farm power?
Tillage, planting, plant protection, harvesting, and threshing machinery, and other stationary jobs like operating irrigation equipment, threshers, shellers, cleaners, and graders.
What are some examples of animal draught power?
Bullock, buffalo, camels, ponies, mules, and donkeys.
What are some examples of alternative power sources?
Solar, wind, biogas, etc.
Study Notes
Farm Power
- Farm power refers to all the means of carrying out essential farming operations, including tractive work and stationary work.
Types of Farm Power
- Human power: used for operating small tools and implements, stationary work, and small-scale farming.
- Animal draught power: used for farming operations, especially in developing countries, with cattle, buffaloes, horses, donkeys, and mules being the main draught animals.
- Mechanical power: used through tractors and fuel engines, converting fuel chemical energy into mechanical power.
- Electrical power: used mostly in the form of electrical motors on farms, for irrigation, water supply, dairy industry, and other applications.
- Alternative power: includes renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, and biogas, used for power generation, lighting, and various agricultural processing operations.
Human Power
- Advantages: easily available, used for all types of work.
- Disadvantages: costliest power, low efficiency, requires full maintenance when not in use, affected by weather conditions and seasons.
Animal Power
- Advantages: easily available, used for all types of work, low initial investment, supplies manure to the field, and fuels to farmers.
- Disadvantages: not very efficient, affected by seasons and weather, cannot work at a stretch, requires full maintenance when not in use, creates unhealthy and dirty atmosphere, and very slow in doing work.
Mechanical Power
- Advantages: high efficiency, not affected by weather, requires less space, and cheaper form of power.
- Disadvantages: high initial capital investment, fuel is costly, and requires technical knowledge for repairs and maintenance.
Electrical Power
- Advantages: very cheap form of power, high efficiency, can work at a stretch, maintenance and operating cost is very low, and not affected by weather conditions.
- Disadvantages: high initial capital investment, requires good amount of technical knowledge, and can cause great danger if handled without care.
Renewable Energy
- Advantages: inexhaustible in nature, can be used for various agricultural processing operations, and low maintenance cost.
- Disadvantages: uncertainty of availability, limited availability of wind energy for farm work, and average capacity of a wind mill is about 0.5 hp.
This quiz covers the forms of power available for farming operations, their advantages and disadvantages, and typical agricultural operations such as tractive work and stationary work.
Make Your Own Quizzes and Flashcards
Convert your notes into interactive study material.
Get started for free
