Modern Agriculture

Modern Agriculture depends heavily on the following:

1. Agricultural Engineering
2. Technology
3. Biological and Physical Sciences
Agricultural Engineering, irrigation, drainage, conservation and sanitary engineering –
each of which is important in successful farming. These are some of the fields that require
knowledge of agricultural engineers.
Agricultural Chemistry – deals with other vital farming concerns such as the application
of fertilizer, insecticides (pest control, fungicides, soil makeup, analysis of agricultural products
and nutritional needs of farm animals.
Plant Breeding & Genetics – contribute immeasurably to farm productivity. Genetics
has also made a science of livestock breeding
Hydroponics – is a method of soil less farming/gardening in which plants are grown in
chemical nutrient solution, may help meet the need for greater food production as the world’s
population increases. 18

Packaging, Processing and Marketing of Agricultural Products – are closely related

activities which influence by science, economics and entrepreneurship. Methods of quick
freezing and dehydration have increased the markets of farm products.
Mechanization – the outstanding characteristics of the late 19 th century and 20th century
agriculture, has eased much of the back-breaking toil (involving enormous physical effort) of
the farmer. More significantly, mechanization has enormously increased farm efficiency
(desired result without much effort) and productivity (rate of production). Animals including
horses, oxen, buffaloes, however, are still used to cultivate fields, harvest crops and transport
farm products to markets in many parts of the world. Airplanes and helicopters are employed in
agriculture for seeding, spraying operations for insects and disease control, transporting
perishable products and fighting forest fires. Increasingly satellites are being used to monitor
crop yields. Radio and television disseminate vital weather reports that concerns farmers.
Computers have become an essential tool for farm management.