Farm power

The power utilization on the farm is directly related to crop production. At present
power availability in India is 1.86 kW/ha and power requirement is 2 kW/ha. Power is
required for many operations such as:
1. Tillage
2. Sowing
3. Weeding and mulching
4. Irrigation
5. Harvesting
6. Threshing
7. Transportation
8. Winnowing
9. Feed grinding
10. Cane crushing
11. Chaff cutting and
12. Cotton ginning in addition to numerous other jobs of similar nature.
The nature of these works is classified into two main
groups

Tractive works
Tractive works are those, which require pulling force
such as seed bed preparation, cultivation, harvesting and
transportation.

Stationary works
Power is transmitted to machinery in stationary
position such as silage cutting, feed grinding,
threshing, winnowing and lifting of irrigation water.
 Sources of farm power
Human power
Animal power
Mechanical power
Electric power
Renewable energy
1. Human Power

A strong man can develop maximum power of

about 75 watts (0.1 hp) for doing farm work.

The average human power availability in sustained

working are as follows:
Male = 60 watts (0.06 kW)
Female = 48 watts (0.048 kW)
Children = 30 watts (0.030 kW)
Advantages
1. Used for all type of work
2. Used for varying power requirements
3. Falling sick of one man does not stop the work
4. Survives mostly on farm produce

Disadvantages

1. Costly as compared to all other forms of power

2. Very low efficiency
3. Required full maintenance when not in use
4. Cannot be continuously used for longer duration
5. Affected by weather condition and season, hot or cold weather decreases
efficiency of work
2. Animal power

The most important source of power on the farm all over the world
and particularly in India is animal. It is estimated that, nearly 80 % of
the total draft power used in agriculture throughout the World is still
provided by animals. India is having 22.68 crore cattle, which is the highest in
the World. Mainly, bullocks and buffaloes happen to be the principle sources of
animal power on Indian farms. However, camels, horses, donkeys and
elephants are also used for the farm work.
Power availability from draught animals are related to its body weight. On the
basis of body weight, draught animals are classified as:
Small = 200 – 300 kg
Medium = 301 – 400 kg
Large = 401 – 500 kg
Heavy = above 500 kg

A bullock is capable of supply an average of 0.5 horsepower for a period of 8 to 10

hours per day. One pair of bullock can command about two hectare. Power
available from draught animals are related to its body weight.
Bullocks : About 10 % of body weight
Buffaloes : About 12 % of body weight
Camels : About 18 % of body weight
Donkeys : About 32 % of body weight
Advantages
1. Most suitable for tractive farm works
2. Easily available
3. Cheaper than human power
4. Used for all types of work
5. Low initial investment
6. Supplies manure to the field and fuels to farmers
7. Live on farm produce.
Disadvantages
1. Requires full maintenance when not in use
2. Cannot be continuously used for longer durations
3. Not very efficient for stationary works
4. Requires large space for shelter
5. Results in unhealthy environment near the farm house
6. Hot or cold weather decreases efficiency of work
7. Speed of working is comparatively low
8. Relatively large time is required for care and feeding
9. Requires frequent rest period
3. Mechanical power

Mechanical power means power coming from machines. It may be classified

as:

1. Tractors
2. Power tillers
3. Stationary I.C. Engines (Diesel, petrol and kerosene engine)
4. Self propelled machines
1. Tractor
Tractors are available in following classes, depending on horse power (hp):
20 – 30 hp : About 25 % of total production of tractors in India
31 – 40 hp : About 60 % of total production of tractors in India
41 and above : About 15 % of total production of tractors in India

Tractor production start in India in 1961. first tractor manufacturer “M/S Eicher
Goodearth” produced “Eicher” tractor at Faridabad.

Weighted average of a tractor = 26.1 kW

Average command area of a tractor (26.1 kW) is about 15 hectares.
2. Power tiller
There are about six models in range of 5.97 to 8.95 kW (8 to 12 hp) in India.

Weighted average of power tiller = 7 kW

Command area of power tiller (7.46 kW) = 5 hectare

3. Stationary I.C. Engines
Diesel engine are the chief source of stationary farm power in places where
electricity is not available These engines are used for:
1. Pumping water
2. Flour mills
3. Oil ghanis
4. Cotton gins
5. Chaff cutter
6. Sugarcane crusher
7. Thresher
8. Winnower and many such equipments

Thermal efficiency
Diesel engine = 32 to 38 %
Petrol Engine = 25 to 32 %
4. Self propelled machines
1. Combine Harvester

2. Paddy Transplanter

3. Reaper Binder

4. Power weeders etc.

ADVANTAGES
Efficiency is higher as compared to human and animal power

Requires lesser space

No maintenance is required when not in use

Lesser cost of operation per unit energy

Can run for longer duration

Available in different sizes

Not affected by hot or cold weather

Results in timeliness of operation

Adaptable to stationary works as well as tractive works

Disadvantages
High initial cost

Requires technical knowledge

Requires costly fuel

Costly repair and maintenance

Creates problem of fuel storage.

Lay up of the engine will stop the work.

4. Electric power
The use of electric power in Indian farming has considerably increased during
the past few years. It is the main source of stationary power for farms adopting
mechanization and used mostly in the form of electric power. The electric power
consumed on Indian farms is about 670 crores kW. It is estimated that about
4,15,000 electric motors are used for irrigation purposes. The following are the
advantages and disadvantages of electric power.
Advantages
Cheapest cost of operation per unit energy
Highest efficiency
Lower repair and maintenance charges
Can run for longer duration
Requires lesser space for installation
No maintenance is required when not in use
Not affected by hot or cold weather
Adaptable to varying speeds

Disadvantages
Higher initial cost
Limited overload capacity
Requires costly transmission system
Risky if not handled carefully
5. Renewable energy
It can be used for lighting, cooking water heating, water distillation, food

processing, water pumping, diesel engine operation with supplementary fuel and

electric generation on small scale. Main sources of renewable energy are as

follows:

1. Biomass energy (Biogas)

2. Wind energy

3. Solar energy
 Why Farm Mechanization
There is a good scope of farm mechanization in India due to the following
factors:
Improved irrigation facility in the country

Introduction of high yielding varieties of seeds

Introduction of high dose of fertilizers and pesticides for different crops

Introduction of new crops in different parts of the country

Multiple cropping system and intensive cultivation followed in different parts of

the country
Limitation of Farm Mechanization

Small land holdings

Less investing capacity of farmer

Lack of suitable farm machines for different operation

Lack of repair & servicing facilities for machines

Lack of trained man power

High cost of machines

WIND POWER
In India wind power could be utilized for
(1) Generating electricity and
(2) Lifting water for irrigation purposes.

Electricity generation may be very useful in out-of-the way places, where electricity
is not available.

The power developed will be on a very small scale. A 3.5 meters diameter wheel
could develop 0.207 hp in a wind velocity of 16 kilometers per hour.

Wind power for lifting water could be used for domestic water supply.
It is not suitable for irrigation as favorable wind velocities (16 km ph or above) do
not coincide with the season of high water demand