Factors Affecting Farm Life

A number of different factors can cause agricultural productivity to increase or decrease. It is important
to note that productivity is not an absolute measure, but rather a reflection of the ratio between inputs
and outputs. A field that produces twice as much of some crop as it did in a previous year is not
necessarily twice as productive; if the farmer spent twice as much on that field, the net change in
productivity would be zero.

Factors that affect farm productivity and often can't be in the control of the farmer are:

1. Weather - unusual weather patterns, such as drought, a prolonged rainy season, early or late frosts
and other factors can ruin crops and bring productivity down.

2. The Capacity of a Given Farm - soil can't be forced to produce beyond capacity, although there are
methods that can be used to improve production capacity, such as proper fertilizing to add nutrients to
the soil so that it can support more crops

3. Pests- occurred or not by certain weather conditions - in addition to spoiling crops, pests can add
significantly to the costs of producing a crop. Controlling them may require measures such as fencing,
chemical or biological treatments, companion planting or crop rotation, all of which change the ratio of
inputs to outputs

4. Available Equipment - in regions where access to mechanized farm equipment is low, agricultural
productivity can also be low as people handle their crops primarily by hand. This involves a big
investment of time, energy and money and also limits the total capacity of the land

5. The Supply and Demand in the Market - farmers will adjust their activities to meet the needs of
consumers and this can have an impact on agricultural productivity. In some cases, governments even
pay subsidies to farmers to compensate them for not growing crops, which can skew productivity
measures.

For agricultural productivity innovation is a key factor. If farmers want to increase their productivity,
they need to farm smarter, by using farm management system Agrivi. It helps them manage whole farm
production, from tracking of activities on all fields, consumption of fertilizers, pesticides, work hours of
workers and mechanization, to tracking of finances and complete farm analysis and reports.

Investment in developing new farming techniques and in researching new approaches to farming need
to be on a daily basis.
The following factors affect the productivity of land in a country:

1. Qualities of Land:

The productivity of land depends on its natural qualities.

If the land is flat and levelled, it will be more productive than an undulating land similarly land in a hilly
area is more productive than a land in the desert. Its productivity also depends on the soil and climatic
conditions.

2. Means of Irrigation:

The means of irrigation also affect the productivity of land. Lands which depend on the means of
irrigation like canals, tube-wells, tanks, etc. are more productive than those which depend on rainfall.

3. Situation of Land:

The productivity of land is determined by its situation. A land situated near the market is more
productive than a land located in a remote area. This is because it requires less time and money to
transport the product to the market.

4. Proper Use of Land:

The productivity of land depends directly on its proper utilisation. Black soil is fit for the cultivation of
cotton. But if it is used for the production of rice, its productivity will be low.

5. Improvements on Land:

If improvements like hedging, consolidation of land holdings, irrigation channels, etc. are made on land,
its productivity increases.

6. Improved Methods of Cultivation:

The productivity of land also increases if improved methods of cultivation like fertilizers, quality seeds,
mechanized ploughs, etc. are used.

7. Trained Labor:

The productivity of land directly depends on the efficiency of labor. If labor is efficient in sowing seeds,
watering plants, spraying pesticides, cutting crops, etc. at the right time, the productivity of land will
increase. In the case of big farms, productivity depends on the organizational ability of the landlord.

8. Ownership of Land:

If the land is owned by the cultivator, he will take personal interest to increase the productivity of land.
On the other hand, if the land belongs to a landlord, the cultivators are hired laborers who do not take
personal interest. Consequently, the productivity of land is low.
9. Government Policy:

Agricultural policy of the government also affects the productivity of land. If the government passes laws
to pass the ownership of land to cultivators, to consolidate holdings, to regulate land rents, to abolish
intermediaries, etc., the productivity of land will increase. Similarly, land productivity increases if the
government encourages research in agriculture and provides credit facilities to agriculturists.

Seed Treatment and Its Importance

Well, why we need seed treatment before sowing any crop? Because we require healthy, (disease free)
and high yielding crop. Even though we select quality seeds, it is advised to go through seed treatment
process for better germination and to prevent from seed and soil borne diseases. Seeds can be treated
with chemicals or natural bio products. In the following write-up, let us discuss more about seed
treatment process along with various crops.

Advantages of Seed Treatment: The following are major advantages of seed treatment.

 This process protects germinating seeds and seedlings against soil and seed borne pests and
diseases.

 Seed treatment improves the germination process and increases the germination percentage.

 Seed treatment enhances the seed viability and vigour which are the two most important
factors in agriculture or cultivation practices.

 Seed treatment result in early and uniform

 This process protects germinating seeds and seedlings against soil and seed borne pests and
diseases.

 Seed treatment improves the germination process and increases the germination percentage.

 Seed treatment enhances the seed viability and vigour which are the two most important
factors in agriculture or cultivation practices.

 Seed treatment result in early and uniform establishment and growth of the crop or plants.

 Seed treatment enhances nodulation in legume crops.

 Seed treatment is better when compared to soil and foliar application in the crop.

 Seed treatment results in uniform crop stand especially in adverse situations like low moist and
high most conditions.
Different Methods of Seed Treatment

Seed Treatment Methods:

Seed treatment can be carried out in 3 different methods; Seed dressing, Seed coating and Seed
pelleting. Let us discuss about these seed treatment methods in detail.

1. Seed Dressing: The most common method of seed treatment is seed dressing. In this method, the
seed should be dressed with either a dry formulation or wet treated with a slurry or
liquid formulation. Dressings should be applied at both farm and industries. In this
process, seeds should be spread on a polythene sheet and required quantity of
chemicals should be sprinkled on seeds surface and mixed mechanically by the farmers.

2. Seed Coating: Usually, this is done by industries with advanced treatment technology.

3. Seed Pelleting: This method is being used for changing physical shape of a seed to enhance
palatability. As this process requires sophisticated seed treatment technology, it is
being considered as the most expensive application.

Other Treatments

4. Expose seeds to high temperatures (40−42°C) for 1−2 days prior to sowing.

5. Seed priming - Soak seeds for 4−8 hrs and re-dry prior to sowing. Seeds must be sown within 1−2 days
after priming.

6. Pre-germination - Submerge seeds in water for 12−24 hrs or until small shoots appear at the end of
the seed. In colder weather, seeds may need to be soaked for 36−48 hrs. Drain and dry
the seed in bag for 24 hrs in a shady area where air can circulate around the bags. If
bag temperatures exceed 42°C, some seeds will be damaged. Broadcast or drum seed
before the roots exceed 5mm in length. When calculating the planting rate, allow for
expansion of 10-30% in seed weight.
 Republic of the Philippines
TARLAC STATE UNIVERSITY
COLLEGE OF EDUCATION
GRADUATE SCHOOL
Lucinda Campus, Tarlac City
3rd Trimester 2017-2018

Written Report in
TLE 505
Agronomy

Topic: Methods of Seed treatment and

Storages/Factors affecting farm-life

Submitted by:
Erron John F. Castro
MAEd TLE

Submitted to:
Dr. Felisitas Quilondrino