3/7/25
Lecture 3
Topics:
• Farm Power
• Human, Animal, Mechanical and Electrical energy
FARM POWER
Farm Power
Farm Power is an essential input in agriculture for timely field
operations for increasing production and productivity of land
Farm power is used for operating different types of machinery like
tillage,
planting,
plant protection,
harvesting and
threshing machinery
and other stationary jobs like operating
irrigation equipment,
threshers/ shellers / cleaners/ graders, etc.
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FARM POWER
SOURCES OF FARM POWER
There are different sources of farm power available which are classified as
(i) Human power
(ii) Animal power
(iii) Mechanical power (Tractors + Power tillers + Oil engines)
(iv) Electrical power
(v) Renewable energy (Biogas + Solar energy + Wind energy)
FARM POWER
SOURCES OF FARM POWER
HUMAN POWER
Human power is the main source for operating small implements and
tools at the farm.
Stationary work like chaff cutting, lifting, water, threshing, winnowing
etc are also done by manual labor.
An average man can develop maximum power of about 0.1 hp for doing
farm work.
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FARM POWER
SOURCES OF FARM POWER
ANIMAL POWER
Power developed by an average pair of bullocks about 1 hp for usual
farm work.
Bullocks are employed for all types farm work in all seasons.
Besides bullocks, other animals like camels, buffaloes, horses, donkeys,
mules and elephants are also used at some places.
The average force a draft animal can exert is nearly one-tenth of its body
weight.
FARM POWER
SOURCES OF FARM POWER
MECHANICAL POWER
mechanical power includes stationary oil engines, tractors , power tillers
and self propelled combines.
Internal combustion engine is a good device for converting liquid fuel
into useful work (mechanical work).
These engines are two types
(1) Spark ignition engines (Petrol or Kerosene engine)
(2) Compression ignition engines (Diesel engines)
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FARM POWER
SOURCES OF FARM POWER
MECHANICAL POWER
The thermal efficiency of diesel engine varies from 32 to 38 percent whereas
that of petrol engine varies from 25 to 32 percent.
In modern days, almost all the tractors and power tillers are operated by diesel
engines.
Diesel engines are used for operating irrigation pumps, flour mills, oil ghanis,
cotton gins, chaff cutter, sugarcane crusher, threshers, winnowers etc.
FARM POWER
SOURCES OF FARM POWER
ELECTRICAL POWER
Electrical power is used mostly in the form of electrical motors on the
farms.
It is clean, quest and smooth running.
Its maintenance and operation needs less attention and care.
The operating cost remains almost constant throughout its life.
Electrical power is used for water pumping, dairy industry, cold
storage, farm product processing, fruit industry and many similar
things.
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FARM POWER
SOURCES OF FARM POWER
RENEWABLE ENERGY
It is the energy mainly obtained from renewable sources of energy like
sun, wind, biomass etc.
Biogas energy, wind energy and solar energy are used in agriculture and
domestic purposes with suitable devices.
Renewable energy can be used for lighting, cooking, water heating,
space heating, water distillation, food processing, water pumping,
and electric generation.
FARM POWER
SOURCES OF FARM POWER
RENEWABLE ENERGY
Usage of renewable energy sources
Solar energy- Solar dryers, lantern, cooker, solar refrigeration, solar
lighting etc
Wind energy- Water pumping, electricity generation etc.
Biomass energy- Gasifiers to produce gas, pyrolysis to produce liquid
fuels, Biogas etc
Tidal energy – electricity generation
Geothermal energy- Heat and electricity production
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