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Full Project – The effect of introducing agricultural mechanization through cooperative societies

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CHAPTER ONE

1.0 INTRODUCTION

Agricultural mechanization is a very broad field covering the study of farm equipment, including the power sources that are used to operate the various machines (Kaul and Egbo, 1975). Farm equipment constitutes a vital input to the crop production cycle and a wide range of equipment that is now available at globe level. Some of this equipment is highly sophisticated and demands that the technical qualifications and background of the managers and operators is of adequate standard.

Our constantly expanding population has required and will continue to demand an ever increasing agricultural production of food and fibers. Some of the increased production that has been relished during the past century must be realized through the advance in non-engineering phases of Agricultural technology such as better crop varieties, the more effective use of fertilizers and pesticides, and cultural practices (Okonkwo and Chinedum, 2005). A major factor however, should be an increase in the utilization of non human energy and of more effective Machines and other mechanized implements.

Modernization has been aided by, and in some cases made feasible only because of the biological sciences. Plant breeders have produced varieties better suited to mechanical harvesting. Sorghum having uniform growth, storm proof cotton, hybrid corn varieties less tendency to lodge, and tomatoes that all ripen over a short period of time and can withstand the rough treatment from a mechanical harvester (Okonkwo and Chinedum, 2005). Cultural practices for some crops have been changed to modify growth habits and obtain plants better suited to mechanical harvesting. This entire little example, when adopted in the cooperative societies within the state could undoubtedly enhance Agricultural produce in the state.

The impact of introducing mechanization through cooperative societies are yet to be seen or attracted in many cooperative societies in the rural areas for the production and operation of Agro-products. Cooperative movement all over the world has been considered or taken as both means and instrument of development were by individuals as group of persons with common socio-economic problems. In our country today, statements have been made in the newspapers and other news media, by scholars advocating the use of cooperative societies for the development and improvement of living standard of the rural people (Okafo, 2007).

Meanwhile, many government programmes have been launched in support of this rural agricultural development, such as Agricultural Development Authority (NALDA). Some cooperative development Banks programme are Agricultural Cooperative and Rural Development Bank, Agricultural credit Guarantee scheme fund. (ACGST), etc. This project seeks to analyze the impacts of introducing agricultural mechanization through cooperative societies.

1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Owerri North is a Local Government Area of Imo State, Nigeria. Its headquarters are in the town of Orie Uratta. It has an area of 198 square km and a population of 175,395 at the 2006 census. The postal code of the area is 460. Owerri North is semi-urban government area. It encircles Owerri Municipal like a peninsular. Six major roads that lead out of the municipal cuts across Owerri North Communities. In the North, Orlu road leads to Amakaohia and Akwakuma communities. In the East, Okigwe road leads to Orji Community. In the West, MCC road off Wetheral to Obibi Uratta and Ihitaoha communities. In the South, Mbaise road leads to Egbu and Emekuku communities, while Aba road leads to Nazi, Agbala and Ulakwo communities.

In Imo state, most inhabitants survive through Agriculture and their main occupation is subsistence farming which has led to the establishment of many Agricultural Cooperative Societies, especially in the group of Families in Owerri North. In terms of cultivation, the use of strength and human power is generally adopted, that is (Manual Cultivation). Agricultural Production was their target, and these could be successfully done through and help of Agricultural Mechanization to minimize the stress and problems in cultivating and harvesting (Kaul and Egbo, 1975).

The application of machine to Agricultural Production has been one of the outstanding developments in most of developed countries of the world. However, in our rural areas especially in Owerri North Local Government of Imo State, the burden and drudgery of farm works are yet to be reduce. Traditional farming has released millions of Agricultural Workers to other industries, this contributing to Imo State’s remarkable backward in agricultural produce (Okonkwo and Chinedum, 2005).

1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

For the purpose of analysis, the main aims of mechanization are discussed separately, but in practice profitability is usually influenced by a combination of many factors, and one of the commonest mistakes is to consider only one or two points and to over look some of the important indirect consequences of any change in mechanization policy.

The farmer’s cash return is used as the only element that needs consideration. Many other factors are involved and one or more of these may be decisive even though its effect cannot be measured on a cash basis. Among the imponderable factors are family pressure for improved working and living condition, the desire to reduce management worries by ironing out difficult labour part and such partly psychological factors as the influence of taxations. Thus a farmer may quite justifiably decide to unrest on a piece of equipment which will extremely or eventually result in some financial loss. If there are substantial benefits in workman. It is therefore impossible to state at all definitely what is the option level of investment is equipment; for neither consideration of finance nor of the physical capacity of the machines concerned can give the answers to the farmer’s individual problem.

1.3 OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY

The major objective of the study is to analyze the Impacts of Introducing Agricultural Mechanization Through Cooperative Societies in some selected cooperative societies of Owerri North L.G.A Imo State.

Other sub-objectives are listed below;

To ascertain the objectives of mechanization.
To highlight why cooperative societies have interest in introducing Agriculture mechanization.
To emphasize the ways the government can encourage cooperatives to carry out this project.
To reveal the challenges facing cooperative societies in mechanization.
To know how mechanization could be encouraged in our present society.

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

Agricultural Cooperative play a vital role in establishing economic structure and in motivating farms to become arrears of improvement and utilize improved techniques. This great asset in their mobilization power, Agricultural cooperative appeal to the self interest of the farms in a way that they can understand to demonstrate things which tangible results, make maximum use of the locally available resources and prove that farmers working together in a spirit of mutual aid can improve economic position.

The application of machine to agricultural production has been one of the outstanding developments in Imo State. The burden and drudgers of farm work has been greatly reduced. Our constantly expanding population has required and well continues to demand are over fibers. Some of the increased production that been realized during the past century must be credited to advance in non-engineering phase of agricultural technology such as better crop varieties, more effective use of fertilizer and pesticides, and improved cultural practices. A major factor however, has been the increase utilization of non-human energy and more effective machine and equipment.

1.5 RESEARCH QUESTION

The following question was adopted, to enable the researcher carried out the research for the better solution of the problem such as;

What are the objectives of mechanization?

Why do cooperative societies have interest in introducing Agriculture mechanization?
In what way can the government encourage cooperatives to carryout this project.
Are there challenges facing cooperative societies in mechanization?
Should mechanization be encouraged in our present society?

1.6 HYPOTHESES OF RESEARCH

H0¹: Cooperative societies is of no significant to the society at large

H1:- Cooperative societies is of significant to the society at large.

H0²: Cooperative society do not have effect on Agricultural modernization

H1: Cooperative society do have effect on Agricultural Mechanization

H0³: Farmer’s in Owerri North do improve their capacity through Cooperatives

H1:– Farmer’s in Owerri North do improve their capacity through cooperatives.

1.7 SCOPE OF THE STUDY

This study was intended to examine the impactt of introducing agricultural mechanization through cooperative societies, with particular reference to Owerri North L.G.A. of Imo State. Although, there are many cooperative societies in the area which varied up to 84 cooperative societies. The majority or parts of these societies are Farmer Multi-purpose Cooperative Societies in which they intend to be involved in the activities of Agricultural Productivity.

Mechanizing Agriculture is their outstanding in other to minimize the drudgery and burden of farm works and increase their out put. The mechanization are include the application of fertilizers, insecticide, human power, machines like tractors, harvester etc.

Although, most of these machines like tractors, harvester etc are very expensive to purchase and only few farmers was making uses the machines and other mechanical factors. Even though, how to operate and applied Agricultural mechanization was little problem to them. Few people assigned to operate and maintained. These was led them to come together to solve the problem facing them and in other achieved a massive specification as a spirit of cooperative societies.

1.8 LIMITATION OF THE STUDY

Financial constraints: Due to hard economic realities, enough finance that should have allowed a most diversified research was not available.
Transportation: Transportation posed a big trait to the project. The researcher wasted much time due to transportation delays thereby getting to the research place very late. At times, interviews arranged will be missed and repeating the journal became inevitable.

iii. Time constraints: The researcher combined his class work with the research. This made the researcher to experience a very tight schedule. As he had no transport of his own, the problem became even worse.

1.9 DEFINITION OF TERM

Agricultural Mechanization: This embraces the use of tools, implements and machines for Agricultural land development, crop production harvesting, preparation for storage, and on-farm processing. It includes three main power sources’ such as Human, animal and mechanical.

Cooperative Societies: This is on association of persons with identical socio-economic problems resource into a joint enterprise which is democratically managed, sharing the results equitably.

Agricultural Cooperative: This is a system in which related workers or businessmen are organized to help members increase their productivity and profit their business.

Mechanization: This is the used of machines to do the work formally done with the hand, it have been produced which in agriculture.

Agriculture: This is the cultivation of the land for the purpose of producing food, for man, feed for animals and fibre or raw materials for our industries. It also includes the processing and marketing of crops.

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