HOW TO USE THIS LEARNER’S GUIDE

Welcome to the learner’s guide for the module: SUPPORT IRRIGATION WORK

This learner’s guide contains training materials and activities for you to complete. The unit of
competency SUPPORT IRRIGATION WORK contain the knowledge, skills and attitude required
for Agricultural Crops Production with National Certificate Level (NCII).
You are required to go, through a series of learning activities in order to complete each learning
outcomes of the module. In each learning outcome there are information sheets, resource sheets, and
reference material for further reading to help you better understand the required activities. Follow this
activity on your own and answer the self-check at the end of each learning outcome.

 Information Sheet- this will provide you information (concepts, principles and other relevant
information) needed in performing learning activities.
 Operation Sheet- this will provide you single task, operation or process in a job.
 Job Sheet- this is designed to guide you how to do that will contribute performing
 to the attainment of the learning outcome.
 Assignment Sheet- is to guide you to enhance what you have learned in the information sheet,
operation sheet or job sheet.
 Work Sheet- are different forms that you need to filling up in certain activities that you
performed.

Upon completion of this module, study the evidence plan at the end of the last learning elements of
this module then ask your trainer to asses you. You will be given a certificate of completion as a
proof that you have met the standard requirements (knowledge, skills and attitude) for this module.
The assessment could be made in different methods, as prescribed, in the competency standard.
If you have questions, do not hesitate to ask your trainer/s for assistance.

RECONITION OF PRIOR LEARNING (RPL)

You may have some of most of the knowledge and skills covered in this learner’s guide because
you have
 Been working for some time
 Already completed your training in this area

The evidences for recognition of prior are presented if:

 You can demonstrate to your trainers that you are competent in particular skills, you don’t have to
do the same training again.
 If you feel you have of the skills, talk to your trainers about
Having them, formally recognized.
 If you have qualification or Certificates of Competence from previous trainings show it to your
trainer
 If the skills you acquired are still relevant to the module, they may become part of the evidence
you can present for RPL.

At the end of the learner’s guide there is a learner’s diary to record. Important dates, jobs undertaken
and other workplace event that will assist you in providing further details to your trainers or assessor. A
Record of Achievement is also provided for your trainers to complete once you complete the module.
This module was prepared a source of information for you to acquired knowledge and skills to Food and
Beverage Services to achieve required competency, SUPPORT IRRIGATION WORK
independently and at your own pace.

1. Take Pre-assessment to evaluate your skill, and knowledge in preparation for post and final
assessment.
2. Talk to your trainer and agree on you how both recognize the training.
3. Work through all information and complete the learning activities in each learning outcome. Read
information sheet and complete the self-check suggested in your resources which are in coded in
the resource materials.
4. You trainer will be your facilitator to assist your needs in completing your activities.
5. The trainer will tell you about the important things needed to accomplish the learning activities.
6. You are given an opportunity to study and master the module at your own convenient pace and
time.
7. You can gather other information/ at through interview, research and talk to more experienced
work master.
8. You can ask your trainer to observe your activity outline in the learning guide.
9. As you work through your activities you should open for your trainer’s feedback on your
progress.

10. Upon completion of the module you should feel free and confident to ask for final assessment.
The result of your assessment will be recorded in your Competency Achievement Record.
 List of Competencies

No. Unit of Competency Module Title Code

Support horticultural crop Support horticultural AGR611306

1.
work crop work

AGR611307
2. Support nursery work Support nursery work

Support agronomic crop Support agronomic crop AGR611308

3.
work work

AGR611309
4. Support irrigation work Support irrigation work
 MODULE CONTENT

UNIT OF COMPETENCY: SUPPORT IRRIGATION WORK

MODULE TITLE: SUPPORT IRRIGATION WORK
MODULE DESCRIPTOR:

This unit covers the skills and knowledge required to support the installation, operation and
maintenance of watering and drainage systems under direct supervision. It requires the ability
to prepare materials, tools and equipment for irrigation work, undertake irrigation activities,
handle materials and equipment, and clean up on completion of work. Supporting irrigation
work requires knowledge of safe work practices, irrigation work techniques, irrigation tools and
equipment, and repair and maintenance of irrigation components and systems.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:
At the end of this module you MUST be able to:
 LO1. Prepare materials, tools and equipment for irrigation work
 LO2. Undertake irrigation work as directed
 LO3. Handle materials and equipment
 LO4. Clean up on completion of irrigation activities

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
1.1 The required materials, tools and equipment are identified according to lists
provided and/or supervisor’s instructions.
1.2 Checks are conducted on all materials, tools and equipment with insufficient or
faulty items reported to the supervisor.
1.3 Techniques used when loading and unloading materials demonstrate correct
manual handling and minimize damage to the load and the vehicle.
1.4 Suitable personal protective equipment (PPE) is selected and checked prior to
use.
1.5 Irrigation support is provided according to OHS requirements and according to
workplace information.
1.6 OHS hazards are identified and reported to the supervisor.
2.1 Instructions and directions provided by supervisor are followed, and clarification
sought when necessary.
2.2 Irrigation work is undertaken in a safe and environmentally appropriate manner
according to enterprise guidelines.
2.3 Interactions with other staff and customers is carried out in a positive and
professional manner.
2.4 Enterprise policy and procedures in relation to workplace practices, handling and
disposal of materials is observed.
2.5 Problems or difficulties in completing work to required standards or timelines are
reported to supervisor.
3.1 Waste material and debris produced during irrigation work is stored in a
designated area according to supervisor’s instructions.
3.2 Materials, equipment and machinery are handled and transported according to
supervisor’s instructions and enterprise guidelines.
3.3 A clean and safe work site is maintained while undertaking irrigation activities.
4.1 Materials are returned to store or disposed of according to supervisor’s
instructions.
4.2 Tools and equipment are cleaned, maintained and stored according to
manufacturer’s specifications and supervisor’s instructions.
4.3 Site is made good according to supervisor’s instructions and good environmental
practices.
4.4 Work outcomes are reported to the supervisor.
 LEARNING OUTCOMES 1
Prepare Materials, Tools and Equipment for Irrigation Work
Farm tools and equipment are some of the things that make farming possible. There are
numerous implements that are used for various purposes at different stages of farming, from soil
preparation to planting and harvesting.

COMMON FARM TOOLS AND EQUIPMENTS

1. BOLO- A bolo is mainly used for
cleaning vegetation, for cutting tall
weeds and grasses, and for chopping
branches of trees

2. HAND FORK- are used for loosing

hard soil, lifting, turning, and mixing
compost with the soil. They are used
for removing weeds, lifting and
transplanting plants and seedlings.

3. SHOVEL- with a shovel, one can

quickly remove trash, dig, move and
mix soil. There are different types of
shovels for specific functions.

4. PRUNING SHEARS- pruning shears

are also called pruning scissors. They
are sharp, heavy-duty scissors that are
used for cutting branches of trees and
plant stems.

5. SET OF HARROWS- a harrow is a

machine used for smoothing out and
breaking up the surface of the soil. It
is used for breaking up lumps of soil
to produce a good soil structure
suitable
6. TRACTOR- is one of the most
popular and most essential farming
equipment. It is a vehicle that is
specially designed for hauling
different types of agricultural
machinery.
7. SEED DRILL- this machine is used
for sowing seeds. It is used for
planting seeds at equal distance and
proper depth.

8. CULTIVATOR- this can be used to

carry out secondary tillage on a field,
in most cases, this machine is
equipped with rotary motion.

9. CROWBAR- Also called a wrecking

bar, a crowbar is mainly used for
digging holes. It is also used for
digging out stones and stumps. It can
also be used as a lever handgrip

10. PICK-MATTOCK- This is a common

gardening and landscaping instrument.
It is a handy tool that is used for
digging and breaking stones

11. GRAB-HOE- A grab-hoe helps to

brake hard topsoil. It is also used to
crush hard soil smoothly.

12. SHADE- A spade is used for

removing soil or trash. It can also be
used for digging
13. RAKE- A rake is like a broom but
made with metal. It is a farming tool
used for clearing fields and gathering
weeds, hay, etc.

14. SPADING FORK- It is used for

digging out roots, loosening soil and
turning materials in a compost heap.

15. LIGHT HOE- A light-hoe is used for

levelling and loosening soil. It is also
used for digging furrows for planting.

16. HAND TROWEL- Hand trowels are

used for loosening the soil around
plants.

17. AXE- It is used for cutting wood and

big branches of trees.

18. KNIFE- It is a universal tool for

cutting.

19. SPRINKLERS- This is simply a tool

for watering plants.

20. SPRAYERS- A sprayer is used for

spraying liquid. It can be used to spray
insecticides, herbicides, pesticides,
water, etc on a farm.
 21. WHEELBARROW- A wheelbarrow
is used for moving lightweight items
such as fertilizers, manures, plants,
seeds, waste materials, and other
things around the field.

22. SICKLE- It is a well-known and

ancient hand-held agricultural
instrument. It has a curved blade that
is used for cutting weeds.

23. SCYTHE- In agriculture, the scythe is

a versatile hand-held implement for
mowing cereals (including wheat) and
other herbaceous plants. It has a
curved and sharp blade.
24. PLOUGH- A plough is one of the
most ancient agricultural implements.
The function of this farm equipment is
to cultivate the soil and prepare it for
sowing.
25. AGRICULTURAL ROLLER- This is
used for breaking up large clumps
of soil or flattening the soil. The roller
is often pulled by a tractor.

Classification of farm equipment:

There is a wide range of agricultural equipment that are used in today’s farming. In general,
these implements can be divided into five main categories, based on their functions.
 Irrigation machinery: These types of equipment are used for watering crops on large
farms. They usually include central pivot irrigation systems and pump units.
 Soil cultivation implements: These are used for ploughing the soil and preparing it for
cultivation. Some examples of soil cultivation equipment include tilers, disk harrows, and
moldboard ploughs.
 Planting machines: These are used for planting saplings and seeds after the soil has been
cultivated.
 Harvesting equipment: These are used to gather crops once they have reached full
maturity. Examples of harvesting equipment are diggers, trailers, and pickers, etc.
 Miscellaneous agricultural equipment: These are used for carrying out corollary
activities such as hay-making, shredding, and loading on a farm.
 Farm safety - manual handling
Farmers and farm workers are commonly affected by muscle and ligament strains. Lifting
objects that are too heavy, twisting and bending while carrying a load, sudden jolts or even bad
posture over a period of time can injure soft tissue and joints.

Injuries to joints, in particular the back, can have a major impact on your health and the day-to-
day running of your farm. Good posture and safe working habits can prevent most injuries. 

Keep a record of injuries to pinpoint areas to improve. Regularly talk with your family and other
workers about how to improve manual-handling practices and reduce any risks. 
 
Exercise your joints and muscles regularly to build up strength, and see your doctor if you are
stiff and sore. Remember, if you are sitting for a long time (for example, on tractors, or doing
office work) you should get up to stretch and move regularly. 

General tips for preventing back injury on the farm

Ways to reduce back pain and prevent injury include:

 Warm up cold muscles thoroughly before engaging in any manual work. Ask your doctor,
exercise physiologist, physiotherapist or a trainer for advice on safe stretching techniques to
avoid further injury.
 Organise your work area to reduce the amount of lifting, bending, twisting and stretching
required.
 Use mechanical aids or get help to lift and carry heavy loads whenever possible.
 Lift and carry heavy loads correctly. Bend your knees rather than your back to pick up a load
and lift with your thigh muscles. Keep the load close to your body.
 Lift loads straight up. Avoid lifting and twisting at the same time.
 Maintain correct posture.
 Take frequent breaks or break up repetitive tasks if possible.
 Cool down after heavy work with gentle, sustained stretches. Follow your doctor or physical
therapist’s advice for safe stretching.
 Exercise regularly to strengthen muscles and ligaments.
 Maintain a healthy body weight to reduce stress on bones and muscles.
 Be aware that mattresses that are too hard or too soft can contribute to back ache. Poorly
designed or worn-out seating (in tractors or other large machinery) can also cause problems.
 Climb down from tractor cabins and other large machinery, rather than jumping, to avoid jolting
impacts on joints.
 Wear appropriate footwear with support to minimise stress on joints and the spine. This is
especially important if standing for extended periods or on hard surfaces such as stockyards.
 Keep your muscles strong and fit.
 If you are sedentary, make sure you get up and stretch.

Lifting heavy loads on the farm

General suggestions for lifting heavy loads include:

 When carting hay, use mechanical aids to help lift and stack the bales.
 Whenever possible, use wheelbarrows, trolleys, conveyors and other equipment to move heavy
loads.
 Ask someone for help if you have to move a heavy load by hand.
 Wear a supportive back brace.
 If possible, repack the heavy load so that you have a collection of smaller, lighter loads.

Handling animals on the farm

Lifting animals like pigs, calves or sheep is a common cause of back injuries. Avoid lifting stock
wherever possible. If you must lift or carry a heavy animal, use mechanical lifting aids or get
help if you can. 

If possible, change the design of your workplace to minimize the need to lift – for example,
install drafting and drop gates in your yards, and hoists on the back of your vehicles. 

If you have to lift the animal alone, suggestions include:

 Face the animal away from you.

 Sit it back on its haunches.
 Squat down behind the animal.
 Take hold of its back legs.
 Tip the animal back against your body.
 Make sure the animal can’t turn its head and face you.
 Keeping your back straight, lift with your thigh muscles.
 Use a back brace or harness for added support.
 Work from the same side of the fence as the animal, rather than attempting to drag it over from
the other side.
 Training and supervision of manual handling

Inexperienced or unfit workers are much more likely to injure themselves. Make sure your
workers are thoroughly trained and know how to perform their tasks safely. Encourage unfit
workers to improve their health with exercise and good food. 

Only allow a worker to perform a task when you are confident they can handle it safely. If you
are working with children, ensure that they are not lifting weights that are too heavy. 

Treatment for manual handling injuries

Many back conditions can be eased with treatments such as physiotherapy or chiropractic.

Other possible treatments include rest, gentle exercise and medication.

LEARNING OUTCOMES 2
Undertake irrigation work as directed

How Irrigation Works

Starting an herb garden in a box on your windowsill or spending a Sunday afternoon planting
flowers seems quite different from managing two hundred acres of watermelons, but in fact the
underlying principle is the same. The art and science of growing plants - be they flowers,
ornamentals, fruit or vegetables - is known as horticulture, and the goal of all horticulturists is
to nurture their chosen plants from seeds to finished products they can be proud of. Putting it
plainly, whether you're growing prize roses for a state fair or planting potatoes for the table, you
want those plants to thrive. That means taking care of them and, just like us, plants have various
needs:

 A place to grow
 The right temperature
 Air and light
 Water
Irrigation helps take care of one of these needs by providing water. While the basic concept of
irrigation is a simple one, there are many fascinating and remarkable systems in use today.
 Advertisement
In this article, we'll look at several different types of irrigation systems, starting with some of the
oldest and simplest, which will lead us to an understanding of the more complex systems in
operation today. But, first, let's take a closer look at what plants need in order to grow well.

A place to grow
Plants grow in many different places - from plain old dirt to richly fertilized soil. A branch of
horticulture known as hydroponics even uses specially prepared solutions of mineral salts as a
plant's growing space. Either way, as long as there's somewhere to put down roots and a plentiful
amount of the right nutrients, a plant will do its best to grow.

The right temperature

After planting a seed, just the right temperature is needed for it to germinate and begin to grow.
Some seeds need warmer temperatures than others to germinate. By relying on our knowledge
of seasonal temperatures, it's easy to know when to plant what. And, if mother nature isn't
agreeable, you can always make use of greenhouses and other artificial systems to get the
temperature just right.

The plant absorbs carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, draws water up through its roots and uses
light to photosynthesize sugars, which it uses as food. It excretes oxygen as a by-product of the
process. Without water, photosynthesis cannot take place. Agronomist Larry Heatherly examines
early maturing variety of soybean plants growing in a flood-irrigated field in Mississippi.

The plant absorbs carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, draws water up through its roots and uses
light to photosynthesize sugars, which it uses as food. It excretes oxygen as a by-product of the
 process. Without water, photosynthesis cannot take place. Agronomist Larry Heatherly examines
early maturing variety of soybean plants growing in a flood-irrigated field in Mississippi.
Air and light
Plants make their own food using a process called photosynthesis. During photosynthesis, the
chlorophyll-containing green parts of the plant trap light energy and use it to perform a series of
chemical reactions. The process involves carbon dioxide, and so plants also need plenty of air.
We usually rely on the sun to provide light for our plants.

Water
Water is essential to plants. It carries important nutrients from the soil and is an important trigger
for germination and the process of photosynthesis. Without water, plants simply won't grow.

Irrigation systems provide water. When it comes to watering plants in our yards or gardens, most
of us don't always like to rely on the weather -- we may use watering cans or sprinkler systems.
This is irrigation at its simplest level. And while this is fine for the home gardener, when you're a
farmer trying to water an entire field these methods become impractical. So, how about flooding
the field? It sounds drastic, but the ancient Egyptians made extensive use of the practice. Two
thousand years ago, Herodotus wrote that Egypt was "the gift of the Nile." Diverted into large,
flat-bottomed basins, the river Nile provided excellent irrigation for Egyptian crops, and
Herodotus was well aware that without the Nile, the Egyptians wouldn't have enjoyed such
productive farming methods.

Although the basin method is still popular, there are more refined methods of irrigation in use
today:

 Surface irrigation such as border irrigation, furrow irrigation and other forms of irrigation that
use flooding
 Overhead irrigation
 Trickle or drip irrigation
 Sub-surface irrigation and plastic mulch
First, let's take a look at surface irrigation systems.
 Because the water level of the river varies, farmers along the Missouri River use floating
pumps like this one to collect irrigation water.
Surface irrigation is arguably the least complex form of irrigation. At its simplest, no attempt is
made to stop fields from naturally flooding. In general, this is only suitable in situations where
the crop is of little value, or where the field will be used only for grazing or even recreation. Of
course, while this method is simple and easy, it is totally dependent upon a suitable water source.

Flood-tolerant soybeans from southeastern China

A more refined variation, though still reliant on a plentiful supply of water, is basin irrigation.
Closely-spaced crops with deep roots are particularly suited to this method, and the growing of
rice in paddy fields is an example familiar to most of us. The basin referred to is simply a field,
enclosed with a raised bank, or dike, to contain the water. The water is directed into the field by
various channels and pipelines, or may even be brought in manually. Two extremely old methods
use these devices:

 A shaduf is an uncomplicated apparatus consisting of a bucket, raised and lowered by a simple

lever.
 A sakia consists of a geared wheel of a circular chain of buckets turned by an animal, such as a
horse or mule.
By whatever method, the water is transported to the channels where it floods the field, causing a
deep layer of mud to form in the bottom of the basin. In the case of rice, fresh seedlings are
planted in this rich and fertile mud, and in September or October the mature rice is harvested,
dried and stored.

Furrow irrigation
Border irrigation is similar, but in this case the field is not entirely enclosed by a dike. Instead,
it is watered from one end and allowed to drain from the other. Border irrigation works well
with sloping land, as does furrow irrigation, in which the water is further controlled by the use
of channels within the field itself. Water is directed along these channels, and by controlling the
flow of water into each channel, the farmer can control the amount of water in different portions
of the field surface.

An overhead irrigation system is a lot like a lawn sprinkler -- the basic principle is the same.
Water is pumped in under pressure and sprayed down onto the plants from flat spray nozzles.

These may be mounted on an overhead network of aluminum pipes or even simply mounted on
the top of a stake.

Because it can be difficult to produce an even coverage, some more expensive systems may
feature a moving overhead boom. This mechanism, which moves across the length of the whole
crop, can then disperse the water in a much more even manner. Another overhead irrigation
device is the water gun, which, as its name suggests, shoots water into the air and out over a
field. A large water gun can cover several acres of land without needing to be moved.

Profession agronomic crop production team leader

First line supervisors for field crop and vegetable growers supervise workers that plan, organise
and perform farming operations to grow and harvest various types of field crop such as wheat
and other cereals, rice, beetroot, sugar-cane, ground-nuts, tobacco, reed or other field crops and
potatoes, cabbages or other field vegetables, for sale or delivery on a regular basis to wholesale
buyers, marketing organisations or at markets.

Would you like to know what kind of career and professions suit you best? Take our free
Holland code career test and find out.

Personality Type

 Realistic / Enterprising

Knowledge

 Pest control in plants

Types and features of pests in plants and crops. Different kinds of pest control methods,
activities using conventional or biological methods taking into account the type of plant or
crop, environmental and climate conditions and health and safety regulations. Storage and
handling of products.

 Crop production principles

Principles in growing crops, the natural cycle, nursing of nature, growth conditions and
principles of organic and sustainable production. Quality criterias and requirements of seeds,
plants and crop.
 Types of storage facilities

Different types of devices and facilities used to hold information and their quality criterias.

 Plant propagation

Types of different propagation methods, materials and seeds and their criteria for health and
quality.

 Agronomical production principles

The techniques, methods and principles of conventional agronomical production.

 Ecology

The study of how organisms interact and their relation to the ambient environment.

 Plant harvest methods

The various methods, timing and equipment involved in harvesting different crops and
plants.

 Technical equipment for crop production

Methods for service, maintaining and adjusting of technical equipment, machines and
instantiations used for crop production

 Plant disease control

Types and features of diseases in plants and crops. Different kinds control methods, activities
using conventional or biological methods taking into account the type of plant or crop,
 environmental and climate conditions and health and safety regulations. Storage and
handling of products.

 Soil structure

Diversity of soil elements and types of soil in relation to plant growth.

 Environmental legislation in agriculture and forestry

Awareness on environmental legislation, policies, principles relevant for agriculture and

forestry. Awareness of the impact on the environment of local agricultural procedures and
practices. Means to adjust the production to new environmental regulations and policies.

 Health and safety regulations

Necessary health, safety, hygiene and environmental standards and legislation rules in the
sector of particular activity.

 Fertilization principles

The study of plant, soil structure, climatic and environmental issues in agronomical
production.

 Plant species

The variety of plants, trees and shrubs and their special characteristics. 

Skills

 Grow plants
 Carry out plant growing activities. Carry out grow control considering the required terms and
conditions for specific plant type.

 Harvest crop

Mow, pick or cut agricultural products manually or using appropriate tools and machinery.
Taking into account the relevant quality criteria of products, hygiene prescriptions and using
the appropriate methods.

 Operate agricultural machinery

Operate motorised agricultural equipment including tractors, balers, sprayers, ploughs,

mowers, combines, earthmoving equipment, trucks, and irrigation equipment.

 Maintain plant health

Manage and support overall plant health. Practice sustainable gardening techniques and
integrated pest management in gardens both outdoor and indoor.

 Prepare planting area for planting

Prepare planting area and soil for planting by fertilizing, mulching and performing weed
control. Take the conditions of the area, soil and plant type into account.

 Execute fertilization

Carry out fertilization tasks by hand or using appropriate equipment according to fertilization
instructions taking into account the environmental, health and safety regulations and
procedures.
 Maintain plant soil nutrition

Manage and support overall soil nutrition. Practice sustainable gardening techniques and
integrated pest management in gardens both outdoor and indoor.

 Store products

Store products to ensure the quality and in accordance with standards and regulations. Ensure
the stock facilities are kept according to hygiene standards, regulating temperature, heating
and air conditioning of storage facilities.

 Propagate plants

Carry out propagation activities by applying appropriate propagation methods such as grafted
cutting propagation or generative propagation considering the plant type. Carry out
propagation control considering the required terms and conditions for specific plant type.

 Execute disease and pest control activities

Execute disease and pest control activities using conventional or biological methods taking
into account the climate, plant or crop type, health and safety and environmental regulations.
Store and handle pesticides in accordance with recommendation and legislation.

 Maintain technical equipment

Maintain an inventory of cultivation equipment and supplies. Order additional materials as

needed.

 Ensure soil fertility

Analyze soil to determine type and quantity of fertilizer required for maximum production.
 Prepare planting area

Prepare planting area and soil for planting by for example fertilising, mulching by hand or
using mechanical tools or machinery; prepare seeds and plants for sowing and planting by
enuring the quality of seed and plants.Sow and plant by hand, using mechanical tools or
machinery and in accordance with national legislation.

 Store crops

Store and preserve crops in accordance with standards and regulations to ensure their quality.
Ensure that storage facilities are kept according to hyginic standards, regulating temperature,
heating and air conditioning of storage facilities.

 Supervise hygiene procedures in agricultural settings

Ensure that hygiene procedures in agricultural settings are followed, taking into account the
regulations of specific areas of action e.q. livestock, plants, local farm products, etc.

 Monitor fields

Monitor orchards, fields and production areas to forecast when crops will be fully grown.
Estimate how much damage the weather may cause to crops.

 Manage agricultural staff

Recruit and manage staff. This includes defining the job needs of the organisation, defining
the criteria and process for recruitment. Develop the competences of the staff according
current and future needs of the company and individuals. Ensure health and safety of the
staff, including the implementation of all relevant health and safety procedures and
relatations with regular follow-up procedures.
 Maintain storage facilities

Maintain or ensure the maintenance of cleaning equipment, heating or air conditioning of

storage facilities and the temperature of premises.

 Prepare equipment for harvest

Prepare the equipment for harvest. Supervise the smooth running of high-pressure cleaning
equipment, heating or air conditioning and the temperature of premises. Carry out the smooth
running of tractors and other vehicles.
 LEARNING OUTCOME 3
Handle materials and equipment

MATERIAL HANDLING IN AGRICULTURE

WHAT IS AGRICULTURAL MATERIAL HANDLING?

You may notice that I've specified the type of Material Handling we're here to
discuss, that is because Material Handling is a very broad field, that finds
application in different fields, but with the same basic principles, and we will be
focusing on its application in Agriculture.

Material Handling is used to describe all the processes involved in the

movement of agricultural products, either in their raw form, during processing
and in their processed forms.
According to Coyle (1992), this movement is usually over a short distance. This
movement can be in the form of loading, unloading, packing, distribution and so
on.

MOVEMENT OF GRAINS IN A SCREW CONVEYOR BY SimScale GmbH from Wikimedia under CC-BY-SA 4.0 license

Let us take the grains store in Silos for example. The grains will have to be
moved from the field after the harvest, in fact, material handling starts right
from the point of harvest as you will see later. These grains will have to be
transported to where they will be cleaned and processed before making sure that
they get to the Silo. Now, you may remember that Silos can be tall, so it is these
Material Handling equipment that still ensure the proper and sage transfer of the
products into storage structures like Silos. What happens when you need to take
the grains out if the Silo, you guessed it, the equipment to the rescue again. This
really underscores how material handling pervades post harvest processes in
agriculture.

Like almost all the processes we have today, you can have material handling at
different levels of sophistication. I'll briefly discuss those below :

 Manual Material Handling : Actually, I don't like being the guy that
states the obvious, but it appears in this case, I don't have a choice. This
category is for those processes that are carried out using human hands as
the means of movement, be it for lifting, packing, loading or any of the
processes earlier mentioned. It also goes without saying that this method
of handling materials poses a lot of risks to workers in the production line,
as most of the carrying and lifting is done with the back, and it is the
reason why a lot of ergonomic improvements like hoists and lift tables
have been made to ease the amount of danger that manual handling
causes.
It is for this main reason, that we have the other methods of handling
materials, so that we don't get "handled" while trying to handle
materials.

 Semi-automated Material Handling :When a farm tries to eliminate as

much danger to their workers as possible but still cannot afford to run
total automation of their Material handling, this is what they go for. Here,
a particular process of handling is mainly handles by a machine but is
operated by a human, for example a driver or an operator. This is the
method of handling usually found on many farms. This is sometimes
 confused for another material handling method that will be discussed last,
watch out for the significant difference.

 Automated Material Handling : I could have referred to this as the fully

automated method, but I suppose that will be tautology. In this type of
material handling, highly sophisticated technologies are employed to
replace any manual handling, such that all processes are handled by
machines. You know those guys called robots, yes those guys are the
main boys behind this material handling methods. There are already farms
that start the use of robots from the point of harvesting.

ROBOTS AT WORKBY ICAPlants from Wikimedia under CC-BY-SA 3.0 license

This method also comes in handy when the materials to be handled require the
highest hygiene level and zero tolerance for contamination. An example that
comes to my mind is that of some dairy farms in Israel that have their system so
automated that animals do not need to be told when to go for milking.
These animals are said to have sensors (My professor has visited the farm in the
past and told me so, just so you know I haven't visited the farm myself. I don't
mind a sponsor though) that can tell when the volume is ripe for milking and the
animal is triggered to move to the milking stand where a machine does the
milking, such that from start to finish, there is no need for human interference.
  Integrated Material Handling : As I mentioned earlier, this method is
usually confused with Semi-automated handling. So let's use this scenario
to make the difference clear. Let's say you're a transporter that moves
Celebs between two cities, but most of the time you only drive them
halfway the journey yourself before making them alight and be ushered
by some beautiful ladies on red carpet into a driver less car that you own
and have programmed to travel from that point to the other city that
completes their journey.

You can compare the first process of driving the car yourself to the Semi-
automated handling, while the female ushers carried out the manual handling,
then the driver less car plays the part of automated handling. Now, your whole
company will be referred to as an Integrated transporting company. Need I say
more? The integrated handling combines one or more of the three previously
mentioned handling methods, so before you can say it is integrated, at least two
methods must be present.

Agricultural Material Handling Equipment

Now, let me briefly acquaint you with some three divisions of Material
Handling equipment that are mainly used in Agriculture. Note that they are not
restricted to what I'll be mentioning, but these are the main ones you'll find on
most farms. Let's focus on Conveyors, Elevators and Cranes/Trucks.

 CONVEYORS : I don't know if I should tell you that the worst kept

secret in the material handling world is that conveyors convey substances
(you didn't hear that from me).Well, i ask my beloved Merriam Webster
Dictionary and it says they are mechanical tools used for moving bulk
materials from one place to another. Now let's discuss three types of
conveyors :
 SCREW CONVEYOR BY AGNE27 from Wikimedia under CC-BY-SA 3.0 license

 Screw Conveyors : If you chose to call it an Auger Conveyor, you're

still very correct. These basically move materials by employing the
principle of rotation. A typical one has a helical screw that is usually
mounted on a shaft. This shaft when driven by electric motors or tractors
(through power transmission shafts) moves materials ranging from cereals
to animal feed at a rate that is proportional to the speed of rotation and the
angle of inclination in inclined types.
These screws are either horizontal or inclined, and in case you're about to
say that you have never seen these screws, a good reason is because they
are usually enclosed in tubes or troughs. But if you've seen how a
combined harvester transfers harvested grains to trucks, then you've seen
one at work. If not, this picture should do for now.

 Belt Conveyors : These conveyors are also built on the principle of

rotation albeit they do so it a arrangement of a belt and two pulleys; a
powered pulley (connected to the power source) and the idler pulley. The
belts are mounted on these pulleys, and the materials to be moved are
placed on the belts, such that as the pulleys rotate the belts, the materials
 are transported. These materials range from fruits to grains and even
boxes of packaged products.

A ROLLER CONVEYOR BY A. PARMIGIANI from Wikimedia under CC-BY-SA 3.0 license

 Roller Conveyors : These conveyors are used for carrying bulk materials
that are larger as those carried by the previous conveyors. They employ
rollers that are driven by a major shaft. The shaft and rollers are
connected by spots. Usually, the shafts are driven by electric motors. The
fact that the rollers are connected to the shafts by spools are said to have a
safety benefit, for slip and for trappings in the system.

 BUCKET ELEVATORS : This is the type of elevators mainly used in

agriculture. Usually an arrangement of buckets and belts, or sometimes
chains. The bucket scoops the material from a pile at a lower level and
holds it parallel to the floor until it reaches a higher point where it
deposits the material by tipping the bucket. There are three major
types : Centrifugal Discharge Elevators- mainly used for grains in grain
elevators. Continuous Discharge Elevators and Positive Discharge
Elevators which are used to convey completely processed food materials
like popcorn.
  CRANES/TRUCKS : These two are together because they usually work
side by side in Agricultural Material handling. Cranes are usually used for
unloading packed raw materials or products from trucks, for stacking
them for storage before or after processing in warehouses and for loading
packed final products into trucks.
CONCLUSION

The good thing about most parents is that as much as they possibly can, they try
to help their children to the best of their ability. Well, two problems exist in this
case, first their best may not be enough, and secondly because we don't get to
choose our parents, some of us may feel hard done by.

However, with a good knowledge of Material Handling, both of these can be

avoided when there is need for a higher power to help in handling agricultural
materials. As to whether one is better served by sticking to the manual methods,
spicing things up with partial automation, going fully automated or ultimately
combining them all, a good choice will always give the best results.

It is worthy of note that these methods and equipment of material handling

survive on a backbone of Material Handling principles like the Unit load
principle which focuses on assembling materials together into one large unit as
much as possible, which is what equipment like Roller Conveyors and Cranes
thrive upon.

Also, the Layout principle encourages sequential movement based on the

sequence of harvest to production processes. There is also the Ergonomic
principle which is concerned about reducing as much discomfort as possible for
the humans in the movement process. There are just some of the principles.

It is believed that Robots are the future of Material Handling in agriculture, but
due to the cost and technicalities involved, their usage is not yet widespread, but
before that time and beyond then, the methods and equipment mentioned are
always ready to serve us well if we are ready to use them rightly.

I hope I have been able to convey a truckload of elevated knowledge into your
knowledge bank about how agricultural materials go by their everyday journey.
Thank you.

LEARNING OUTCOME 4
Clean up on completion of irrigation activities

 Maintenance service
The irrigation network is perhaps the most costly element of an irrigation scheme and is designed to last a
long time. However, all too often one finds that irrigation schemes not long constructed bear little
resemblance to the original construction and design. Silt deposition, weed infestation, malfunctioning of
structures and other undesirable situations make it practically impossible to control the flow in these
canals. As a result, the system is unable to deliver the necessary water and distribute it equitably. It is not
surprising that farmers working in those irrigation schemes sometimes feel frustrated because they know
the potential benefits of irrigation and yet cannot realize their expectations.

On the other hand, there are many examples illustrating that with proper maintenance and cooperation
among farmers in this task, irrigation systems may last much longer than their original designers or
constructors ever envisaged. Irrigation schemes that have been in operation for centuries can be found in
Spain, Egypt, Italy, Pakistan and other countries, and are a living testimony that properly maintained
irrigation schemes can be of permanent benefit to many generations.

There are several reasons for poor maintenance: just to mention the most important:

- insufficient funds made available to the management;

- lack of interest by the farmers in participating or collaborating in the maintenance work;
- poor organization of the work.
The most widespread cause for poor maintenance in public irrigation schemes is the lack of sufficient
funds for servicing and repair. As this not only affects the maintenance but the whole water management
organization, it will be dealt with separately under the Administrative Service (Chapter 8).

Lack of interest by the farmers in participating in maintenance work is sometimes the chief reason for a
state of disrepair of the tertiary canals or watercourses for which the farmer may have been made
responsible. The reason for this lack of interest, demonstrated by the farmer disassociating himself from
repair and maintenance work, can have various causes and be complex. In some cases, the farmer does
not realize the importance of maintenance work nor does he know how to do it, or be feels that his work
benefits others rather than himself. In yet other situations, the farmer does not identify the irrigation
system as his own system and therefore purposely avoids any participation in the maintenance work. To
improve such situations, each case should be analysed to discover the reasons for non-participation and
the assistance of sociologists can be helpful in determining them.

Poor maintenance may also result from inadequate planning of such work, or it may be that the available
resources have not been used to the best advantage.

This chapter provides some guidelines for the planning and undertaking of the maintenance work. It is
assumed, for reasons of simplicity, that the project management is responsible for the maintenance of
main and secondary canals.

One interesting observation regarding the need for maintenance is that it is greater in "low-cost
technology" constructed irrigation schemes than in "high-cost technology". To illustrate the point: a
concrete lined canal requires less maintenance than an earth canal. Since most of the developing countries
tend to use low-cost technologies, because of limited funds, the consequence is that maintenance
requirements should receive greater attention. Unfortunately, it is precisely in these countries that
maintenance receives less attention, the causes being several, such as: poor administrative organization,
shortage of funds, etc. The point to be made here is not that high-cost technologies should be used
because less maintenance is required but that, when using low-cost technologies, special attention should
be paid to the maintenance problem if the scheme is to work properly. Where there is little hope that
maintenance will be satisfactory, the choice of a high-cost technology design may be justified, but
keeping in mind that, although the maintenance requirements of such schemes are smaller in terms of
manpower, they require highly specialized personnel.

Another reason for differences in maintenance requirements is the degree of completion of the irrigation
system. All too often, an incompleted irrigation scheme is handed over to the ministry (usually of
agriculture) responsible for its 'operation and maintenance'. Obviously the difficulties of maintaining and
operating such a system are much greater than those for a properly completed one. It should not and
cannot be expected that a normal maintenance service will suffice for an incomplete system. Where this is
the case, special units must be established to undertake this 'completion work'.

In India, where the completion of many schemes has been considered a matter of urgency, many of the
recently established project authorities have special units to complete on-farm developments, i.e. to
provide watercourses for water delivery to each farm and to ensure land grading which was not initially
undertaken. Special completion or rehabilitation programmes may also be considered in these cases.

6.1 Main functions

The Maintenance Service is entrusted with the overall responsibility for keeping the irrigation and
drainage systems working in a satisfactory manner, within the limitations imposed by the initial design.
Similarly, to the Operation Service, the main functions to be undertaken are:

- planning the maintenance activities;

- implementing the maintenance activities planned and those unforeseen;
- monitoring the above-mentioned activities.

Planning the activities to be undertaken in the following year is particularly important in countries where
government allocations for operation and maintenance are made on the basis of planned expenditure. A
good justification of the work to be done and the consequences if it is not undertaken is of foremost
importance to obtain financing for maintenance work. Even where this is not the case, planning the
activities that can be executed within the limited resources available is a useful exercise.

Maintenance activities can be more easily undertaken in the off-season, as during this period, labour from
the farming community is normally plentiful. Furthermore, if farmers are engaged in maintenance work
on their own land for their own benefit, they' are more likely to work willingly. Also, operational
personnel are more free at that time of the year and can be engaged to supervise or execute part of the
maintenance work themselves.

A Maintenance Service requires data for good planning which can be obtained by regular monitoring.
Without reliable data on costs for the different units of work and on productivity no realistic planning can
be done. Later in this text, productivity data are given for machinery and manpower engaged in
maintenance operations. They will be helpful when planning and costing activities if no better data are
available, but a project should endeavor to have its own data based on the specific conditions of the area.

6.2 Types of maintenance

There are three main types of maintenance, namely:

- routine or normal maintenance which includes all work necessary to keep the irrigation system
functioning satisfactorily and is normally done annually;

- special maintenance including repairs of damage caused by major disasters, such as floods, earthquakes
and typhoons. The unforeseeable nature of such natural phenomena make it very difficult to take specific
preventive action, although general safeguards can be installed in particularly prone areas, e.g. large
drainage dykes in flood areas. In irrigation schemes located in places subject to these hazards, a "special
reserve fund" or budget allocation should be established for repair work;

- deferred maintenance including any work necessary to regain the lost flow capacity in canals, reservoirs
and structures when compared to the original design. It often includes large modifications to the canal
system and structures arising from important changes (cropping patterns, drainage problems, etc.) that
have occurred in an irrigation scheme. In practice, its difficult to differentiate between so-called 'deferred
maintenance' and a 'rehabilitation programme'. The difference is mainly of a financial nature, because
'deferred maintenance' is normally undertaken with funds from the national budget allocated to operation
and maintenance while rehabilitation programmes are considered as an investment and the funds come
from a different source (loans, national development banks, etc.).
This chapter is mostly concerned with routine maintenance, and to some extent with deferred
maintenance.

The maintenance activities for which the Maintenance Service is responsible should be clearly spelled out
in the by-laws of the irrigation scheme. While some activities are clearly a responsibility of the Service
(silt removal in canals, weed clearing, etc.), there are others not so precisely defined, for instance, rural
roads, ancillary works, buildings, the cleaning of the drainage system. Nevertheless, it has 'been decided
to include in the text all potential activities that could be the object of maintenance with a brief
description of their characteristics and relative importance.

The maintenance activities have been grouped according to the major elements of an irrigation system;
they are: (i) dam and reservoir; (ii) irrigation network; (iii) drainage network; (iv) rural road network and
flood protection dykes; (v) pump stations; and (vi) ancillary works. They are described below.

6.3.1 Dam and reservoir

Maintenance activities in a reservoir itself comprise:

- controlling aquatic weeds,

- removing large debris (e.g. tree trunks) floating in the water that may damage hydraulic works,

- monitoring the water quality: not only from the salt content point of view but also from a biological
standpoint in order to detect possible sources of pollution,

- surveying the solid deposition in the bottom of a reservoir.

These activities require little time because they are periodic with the exception of aquatic weed control,
which is in any case only likely to be a severe problem in tropical and semi-tropical climates. However,
they are extremely important in order to detect promptly the need for corrective action.

The most common water weed in reservoirs in semi-tropical and tropical areas is the water
hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes). This plant represents a serious problem because it forms an ideal
environment for mosquito larvae and has an evaporation several (2.2 to 13.4) times greater than an open
surface of water. The plant has a very fast rate of growth: two plants can produce enough offspring to
cover one acre in less than eight months.

Another frequent problem is eutrophication (over-abundance of nutrients in the water bodies) resulting in
high production of blue-green algae and the associated phenomenon of lack of dissolved oxygen in the
water. This problem, which is very serious if the water is used for urban water supplies, is less important
when the water is used for irrigation, the main consequence of the latter being an increase of vegetation in
the irrigation canals and greater weed infestation. Injecting compressed air into reservoir water has proved
to be a satisfactory solution on several occasions but there are other techniques that can be applied.

The main maintenance actitivies for an irrigation dam are: lubrication of gates, anti-corrosion treatment,
cleaning of debris, control of filters, and some other minor work. Earth dams require greater maintenance,
especially the upstream slope where weed control is necessary once or twice a year. The electro-
mechanical system of a dam must also receive proper maintenance, particularly electric engines, head
gates, and the lighting system. The maintenance of these elements is rather specialized and the
manufacturers of the equipment usually provide detailed instructions.

6.3.2 Irrigation network

The canals in irrigation networks are generally either of earth or concrete-lined and their maintenance
characteristics are quite different.

i. Concrete - lined canals

Concrete-lined canals should require little maintenance, provided that they have been properly
constructed and any potential problems studied (subpressure, gypsum soils, swelling clays, etc.) and
adequate technical solutions provided. One of the main reasons for constructing concrete-lined canals is
precisely to reduce maintenance operations.

The routine activities include: replacement of joints, replacement of damaged concrete slabs, weed
control in joints and on the surface of concrete slabs, control and treatment of filters, control and removal
of silt. In the case of concrete flumes, chemical sterilization is also needed around the supporting
structures.

Under normal conditions, the silting in concrete-lined canals is not an important problem since water
velocity is high and sand traps and silting basins are often provided to reduce the solid content of the
water. Heavy rain may cause deposition of solid materials if the berms are not properly formed. Drifting
sand may be a serious problem in schemes surrounded by desert or bare land and subjected to strong
winds. The most effective way of preventing this type of silting is to install windbreaks or barriers where
sand accumulates before reaching the canal.

Removal of silt from concrete-lined canals is an expensive operation because it is mainly manual.
Mechanical equipment can be used when specially adapted to avoid damaging the lining. In some
irrigation schemes, the technique of flushing "quick water" through the canal is used to remove silt from
one place and concentrate it in another where it can be more easily removed or disposed of. For this
purpose, the canal should be run at its maximum capacity to reach the highest possible velocity.

Weed control should not be a major problem in lined canals, although aquatic weeds must be periodically
removed. Later in the text, guidelines are given for weed control in both lined and earth canals.

The main problem in concrete - lined canals is cracking of the lining and eventual eruption of concrete
slabs due to subpressure. Apart from repairing the damaged lining, corrective action must be taken.
Usually the installation of subpressure valves is enough to relieve the pressure, but this involves major
work. An alternative measure can be the construction of a subsurface drainage system to lower the water
level.

ii. Earth canals

There are four main problems in earth canals requiring maintenance attention and, although they are
closely interrelated, they will be treated separately.

a. Silting
Excessive sedimentation is perhaps the most common problem affecting the performance of earth canals.
Malik (1978) identifies the following causes for canal siltation:

1. excessive silt entry at the main canal intake

2. disproportionate withdrawal by branches
3. prolonged heading up at control points
4. drifting sand
5. inadequate transport capacity of channels
6. re-entry of excavated material by rain and wind action
7. malfunctioning of intakes
8. haphazard sediment excavation
9. excessive weed growth
10. wrong channel regulation.

Causes 1 to 5 indicate defective design, 6 to 9 inefficient maintenance, while 10 denotes improper

channel operation. Corrective measures for defective design are difficult to implement since they require
major physical changes which imply heavy investments. However, the effects of defective design can be
reduced by proper maintenance. For example, an erroneous angle between the parent branch and canal
may induce the formation of a sand shoal which, if allowed to develop, will accelerate the silting process,
thus compounding the consequences. Incorrect operation is also a major cause of silting. Canals carrying
a heavy load of material in suspension should not be allowed to run at less than three quarters of their
capacity since at lower capacities the velocity decreases inducing silting.

Abrupt shutting of gates, causing rapid changes in flow velocity, may induce bank erosion near the gates.

b. Weed infestation

Weed infestation can seriously impede the flow of canal water not only in tropical conditions but also in
semi-arid and arid climates. There are two groups of weeds:

- earth weeds: they root in the soil and their habitat is not the water; they proliferate on the canal slopes
and in the banks, benefitting from favourable soil moisture conditions;

- aquatic weeds: they can either root in the water or the earth but their habitat is in the water. Robson
(1976) classifies them as follows:

· emergent plants - these are plants growing in the water and whose foliage emerges above the surface,
e.g. the common read (Phragmites communis);

· floating leaved plants - there are two sub-groups with floating leaves: in one, the plants are rooted in the
mud and their leaves float flat on the surface, in the other, plants are not rooted but free-floating on the
surface;

· submerged plants - this group consists of plants whose foliage is totally submerged; a number of them
produce flowers which emerge above the surface; one or two plants are free-floating, but most are rooted
in the mud;
· algae - this group consists of a variety of algae of various forms, including unicellular algae and the
large filamentous forms.

The relevance of the type of weed to the method of control will become apparent when control measures
are discussed. Some of these weeds, such as nutgrass (Cyperus rotundus), are not only a problem in the
operation of the canals but can become a menace for the farmers when water transports them into fields.
There they reproduce rapidly and become a serious problem because of the difficulty of eradicating them.

Another hazard of weed infestation is the shelter and good breeding conditions they offer for vectors
(mosquitoes, snails, etc.) of debilitating diseases.

c. Water infiltration

Water leaks through canal banks can be caused by burrowing small crabs and water rats or by rotting
plants and roots which were not removed from the canal bank seat during construction. Ants are also
known to be a problem even in concrete-lined canals. These leaks can be repaired by following the path
of the leak through the bank either by hand digging or hydraulic backhoe if available and once the path
has been found, the trench must be carefully backfilled and compacted. Canal leaks, if not repaired in
time, can result in major breaches in banks causing far greater inconvenience and most costly repairs.

Water seepage through porous soils may also be a major concern. Seepage through banks can be
considerably reduced by trenching them and burying a plastic membrane or thick slurry made from the
excavated material. The trench is backfilled with sand after the barrier has been interred.

d. Erosion of banks

Canal banks can be eroded by heavy rainfall or wind, improper canal operation, stock grazing or passage
by drinking animals, and the transit of vehicles. Heavy rainfall or wind can cause serious damage to
unprotected banks. Seeding of grasses in the unwetted part of the canal is a cheap and effective protective
measure. Short growing varieties (e.g. Agropyron riparium (streambank wheat-grass), Psathyrostachys
juncea (Russian wildrye), Festuca ovina (sheep fescue) and Phleum bertolonii (dwarf timothy)) give good
results.

Abrupt and rapid shutting off of canal water may also contribute to erosion of the banks. The practice of
leaving a canal empty during the rainy season will contribute considerably to erosion of canal slopes.

Cattle and sheep damage the channel banks in different ways (Swales 1976). Cattle tend to push the moist
bank material at the waterline into the waterway when they drink. Sheep, however, graze the banks bare
thereby allowing wind and rain to wash away the bank material.

Erosion of canals can be repaired by mechanical means or manually by re-building the worn canal banks.
However, care should be taken to construct a proper join between the old and the new part, otherwise the
canal will deteriorate at the same place.

The most effective measures are of a preventive nature: such as seeding grass mentioned earlier, fencing
the canals, and constructing special places for animal watering and bathing.