Republic of the Philippines

Central Luzon State University

Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija

AENGR 1105 LAB

Sources Of Power In Agriculture

LAB EXERCISE 1

Submitted by:
VELUZ, ALLEYAH AUBREY C.
BSA-CP 3

Submitted to:
ENGR. NICASIO C. SALVADOR
Instructor
I. INTRODUCTION
Different operations in a farm need different sources of power which may come from humans, animals,
and machines. A certain amount of work is required to complete the task in doing these operations. When a
particular work is done over a certain period of time, it is then called power.
Farm power is a vital input in agriculture for timely field operations to increase production and land
productivity. It 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.
In the past much of the power used on farms came from human inputs but with much of the rural labor
force now moved to cities, farmers are becoming more dependent on machines to complete tillage, planting and
harvesting operations.

II. OBJECTIVES
After performing the exercise, the students should be able to:
a. demonstrate familiarity with the different sources of power in agriculture;
b. identify the sources of power in agriculture; and,
c. describe some applications of power in agriculture.

III. ACTIVITY
DIFFERENT SOURCES OF POWER
Human Power
Human power is the primary source for running small equipment and tools at the farm. Static activities such
as chaff slicing, threshing, lifting, water, and so forth also are carried out employing labour. An average person
can produce a maximum strength of about 0.1 hp for doing agricultural activities.
Animal Power
The force produced by a pair of bullocks is about 1HP for usual agrarian works. Bullocks are engaged in
every kind of farm work throughout the year. Other than bullocks, different animals like camels, buffaloes,
horses, donkeys, buffaloes, and elephants also are used at a few locations. The average load an animal can take
is nearly one-tenth of its body weight.
Mechanical Power
Mechanical power includes immovable oil engines, intercultivator, tractors, self-propelled reapers. An
internal combustion engine is a useful tool for changing liquid fuel into beneficial paintings (mechanical work).
Renewable Power
The power obtained from the sources of sun, wind Etc. They are used for domestic purposes and in
agriculture fields with suitable machines. Renewable energy can be utilized for lighting, water heating, water
pumping, food processing, and electric generation.
Electrical Power
 Electrical power is used mostly in the form of electrical motors in the agriculture field. Electrical machines
are beneficial for farmers. As the machines run smoothly, the operational cost is constant throughout its life,
and the maintenance needs less attention and care. Electrical appliances are used in the dairy industry, water
pumping, farm product processing, and many other things.
DIFFERENT SOURCES OF POWER IN AGRICULTURE IN THE PHILIPPINES
In the Philippines, the different sources of power in agriculture includes:
● HUMAN POWER: In some cases, manual labor is more cost-efficient than machines.
One person can:
○ shift 2-3 cubic meters of soil/day
○ cultivate 60 square meters/day
○ cultivate 1 hectare in 150-160 days
○ hand weed 1 hectare in 30-35 days
Advantages: cost-effective
Disadvantages: time consuming, physically taxing

Figure 1.

● ANIMAL POWER: In the Philippines, animals are still widely used as a major power source especially
the Oxen and caribou or buffalo. A pair of animals will take 8-10 days to plow 1 hectare.
Advantages: Low maintenance, multi-purpose, self-replacement.
Disadvantages: Limited daily working hours, slow, high person/power ratio.
 Figure 2.

● MECHANICAL POWER: Most popular mechanical power here in the Philippines is the Two-wheel
tractors, which are normally powered by 6-12 kw gasoline or diesel engines and are fitted with either
rubber tires or steel cage wheels. A two wheel tractor can plow 1 ha/day.
Advantages: Multi-purpose vehicle, best in tough conditions, performs well in both wet and dry
conditions, simple to use and operate.
Disadvantages: Cost of ownership and operation, could cause fatigue, although ride-on versions are now
available.

Figure 3.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS OF POWER

The practical applications of power in agriculture are numerous, and they include:
1. Mechanizing farming activities such as plowing, planting, harvesting, and transportation.
2. Increasing efficiency and productivity.
3. Reducing labor costs.
 4. Allowing farmers to cultivate larger areas.
5. Enhancing the quality of crops through better weed control, irrigation, and fertilization.
6. Enabling more precise soil management.
7. Improving water and energy conservation.

RELEVANT INFORMATION TO THE SOURCES OF POWER

Some other relevant information about sources of power in agriculture include:
● The availability and affordability of different types of power sources vary depending on the location and
resources of the farming area.
● Some sources of power, such as mechanical power and electrical power, may require significant upfront
investment in equipment and infrastructure, but can lead to significant cost savings and productivity
gains in the long run.
● The choice of power source can also impact the environmental sustainability of agricultural practices.
Renewable sources of power like solar and wind power are generally considered more sustainable and
eco-friendly than non-renewable sources like fossil fuels.

IV. CONCLUSION
The choice of power source used in agriculture plays a crucial role in the efficiency, cost, and
environmental impact of farming practices. While traditional sources of power such as manual labor and animal
power have been in use for centuries, modern agricultural practices have increasingly relied on mechanical and
electrical power, which offer greater efficiency and scalability. Additionally, renewable sources of power such
as solar and wind power provide more sustainable and eco-friendly options, making them increasingly
attractive for agricultural use.

V. REFERENCES

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FEATURES OF THE USE OF RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES IN AGRICULTURE.
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Calibuso, N., Estigoy, M. A., & Vargas, D. (2021). EFFECTS OF THE EMERGENCE OF
FARM MACHINERIES TO SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS OF AGRICULTURAL LAND
WORKERS IN THE PHILIPPINES. SSRN Electronic Journal.
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