LESSON 2
Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Processes and Applications
It is rightly said that Agriculture is the most healthful, useful, and noble employment of
man. Agricultural Engineering is a branch of Engineering which includes the study of engineering
science and technology in the discipline of agriculture. In general, Agricultural
Engineering combines the study of varied subjects such as Plant and Animal Biology as well as
Civil, Chemical, Mechanical and Electrical Engineering theory with the agricultural concepts.
Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering is a specialized branch of engineering which
deals with the application of engineering science and technology to agricultural production with
the aim of reducing complexity and increasing productivity. Agricultural production is faced with
several challenges and problems such as production of crops and animals; storage; processing;
management of resources required for production such as land, water, energy, waste disposal
and utilization etc.
As agricultural and biosystems engineering combines the basic engineering knowledge
from three major disciplines and applies it to agriculture, this is, what makes it the most versatile
branch in engineering. It is concerned with the utilization of all branches of engineering science
and technology in the art, science and business of crop production, animal husbandry, as well
as handling, processing and preservation, storage, manufacture, and distribution of products
that feed, shelter, and cloth mankind.
Learning Outcomes
At the end of the topic, you shall be able to:
1. Appreciate the contributions of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering and its role
to National Development.
2. Discuss the areas of specialization of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering and the
processes involved in each.
Pre-Test
Instruction. Encircle the letter of the most appropriate answer to the following questions:
1. Development areas of the country where agricultural and biosystems engineering plays
important role, except:
a. Food Security c. rural infrastructure
b. National Defense and Security d. reduction of drudgery in farm work
2. It ensures that there is readily available food in the right quantity and quality and at an
affordable price.
a. Price security c. Food Security
b. Food Quality d. All the above
3. Traditional farming method and system is characterized using primitive tools and
technology, which include except:
a. Solar panel c. bolo
b. Hoe d. axe
4. It ensures that soil and water are conserved and reclaimed where and when necessary.
a. Irrigation and Drainage Engineering c. Agrometeorology
b. Soil and Water Conservation Engineering d. All the above
5. Agricultural Allied industries include, except
a. Seed Production Technology c. Horticulture
b. Agricultural machinery Development d. None of the above
6. Which is not an emerging specialization of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering?
a. Mechatronics and Robotics c. Information and Communication Technology
b. Renewable Energy d. Farm Power & Machinery Engineering
7. This aspect of Agricultural Engineering deals with all the activities, processes, structures
and machines which convert agricultural raw materials (harvested crops) into finished
consumer goods.
a. Farm Power and Machinery Engineering c. Emerging Technology
b. Soil and Water Conservation Engineering d. Post-Harvest Systems Engineering
8. This field of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering specialization deals with the
machines required for utilizing forest products such as timber and non-timber forest
products.
a. Farm Structures and Environment Control Engineering
b. Wood Products Engineering
c. Food Engineering
d. Post-Harvest Systems Engineering
9. Contributions of Agricultural Engineering to national development also include a.
the improved quality of life of farmers
b. sustainable agricultural production
c. Environmental Management
d. all of these
10. This is a specialized area of Agricultural Engineering which deal with the processes and
machinery that are required for processing agricultural products into consumable foods.
a. Farm Structures and Environment Control Engineering
b. Wood Products Engineering
c. Food Engineering
d. Post-Harvest Systems Engineering
Activities
1. What are the major commodities produced and processed in your locality?
2. What are the major production and processing operations done on these commodities?
3. List down different tools and equipment associated in the production and processing of
these commodities.
Lesson Content
1. Contributions of Agricultural Engineering in National Development
Agricultural Engineering plays a pivotal role in the development of a country. These are
in the areas of food security, reduction of drudgery in agricultural work, rural infrastructure
development, soil and water resources management, environmental management, improvement
in the quality of life of farmers, sustainable agriculture and industrial development.
Food Security
Food security has become an important concern in the country. The idea of food security
revolves around ensuring that there is readily available food in the right quantity and quality and
at an affordable price. Food security can only be achieved if food is produced in abundant
quantity and at commercial scale. Even when food is abundantly produced, if it is not properly
processed, most of it will be lost to deterioration agents. In all these areas, Agricultural
Engineering principles are practiced ensuring that there is adequate supply of food all year
round.
Reduction of Drudgery in Agricultural Work
The traditional farming method and system is characterized using primitive tools and technology.
These include the hoe, machete, axe, and other hand tools. A visit to any rural farming
community will reveal how tedious it is to work with hand tools. For toiling under the sun for
hours, most farmers can only cover a few fractions of a hectare. The drudgery involved in
Nigerian traditional agricultural system can be seen on the faces and body of farmers. With the
introduction of machines, tedious operations hitherto handled by man are mechanized.
Operating machines is less tedious than manual operations. The reduction in drudgery that
comes with the introduction of machine makes agricultural work to be more attractive to the
younger generation. This has several implications including a reduction in rural – urban
migration, and improved dignity of the agricultural worker.
Rural Infrastructure Development
Most large-scale agriculture development programs involve the development of basic rural
infrastructure. These infrastructures include water, roads, electricity, schools, markets, energy
supply system, maintenance systems, processing systems and waste management systems.
Thus, Agricultural Engineering has been referred to as a catalyst for rural infrastructural
development because the standard of living of rural dwellers is improved significantly as they
have access to necessities of life
Natural Resources Conservation
The natural resources on which the practice of agriculture is based are soil, water, and air. One
of the important roles of Agricultural Engineering is to ensure an optimum management of these
resources. This will ensure that these resources are conserved. If soil and water resources are
used without conservation. Eventually, these resources will deplete to a point where they can
no longer support plant and animal life. Soil and Water Engineering option in Agricultural
Engineering ensures that soil and water are conserved and reclaimed where necessary.
Agricultural Engineering practices such as conservation tillage, terracing, erosion control, among
others, are used for soil and water conservation.
Industrial Development
Agricultural Engineering has contributed immensely to industrial development through the
improvement of agricultural production leading to increased raw material production for
agricultural allied industries.
Employment Generation
Agricultural Engineering has contributed to creation of employment opportunities in the country.
Apart from providing training in equipment production, the mechanization of agricultural
operations has led to massive expansion leading to employment of personnel to boost
production. Diversification has been created as many livestock farms now have capacity to
produce their own feed
Other contributions of Agricultural Engineering include improved quality of life of farmers,
Sustainable agricultural production, and Environmental Management.
1. Processes Involved in Areas of Specialization of Agricultural and
Biosystems Engineering
Agricultural engineering has been applying scientific principles for the optimal conversion of
natural resources into agricultural land, machinery, structure, processes, and systems for the
benefit of man. Machinery, for example, multiplies the tiny power (about 0.07 kW) of a farmer
into the 70-kW power of a tractor which makes possible the production of food several hundred
times more than what a farmer can produce manually. Processing technology reduces food loss
and adds much more nutritional values to agricultural products than they originally had. The
role of agricultural engineering is increasing with the dawning of a new century. Agriculture will
have to supply not only food, but also other materials such as biofuels, organic feed stocks for
secondary industries of destruction, and even medical ingredients. Furthermore, new
agricultural technology is also expected to help reduce environmental destruction.
Agricultural Engineering and Biosystems Engineering can be divided into six major areas
of specializations, namely: Farm Power and Machinery Engineering, Soil and Water Engineering,
Processing or Post Harvest Systems Engineering, Farm Structures and Environmental Control
Engineering, Forestry and Wood Product Engineering and Food Engineering. Other areas that
are emerging from the specializations are Amenity (Ecological) Engineering, Mechatronics and
Robotics, Information and Communication Technology, Renewable Energy and Environmental
Engineering.
Farm Power and Machinery Engineering
This area deals with the design, construction, operation and maintenance of power and
machinery systems needed for all aspects of Agricultural Mechanization. The power aspect refers
to the development of all prime movers and power sources for all phases of agricultural
production, processing, and distribution. These include tractors, electric motors, stationary
engines, generators, pumps, truck engines, solar energy, windmills, and hydro power systems.
The machinery aspect handles the machines used for production, which may or may not be
powered by the power units mentioned above i.e., machines/machineries for land clearing,
tillage, planting, tending (weeding and spraying), harvesting and transportation.
Soil and Water Engineering
Soil and water are the basic natural resources for agricultural production. The
development and management of these resources must be done scientifically to achieve long
term sustainability. This aspect of Agricultural Engineering deals with the harnessing and
management of the soil and water resources of the ecosystem. The area covers land
degradation, soil and water conservation, land reclamation, irrigation technology, land drainage
systems, water supply, catchment modeling, hydrology and hydraulics, agricultural waste
management and environment. Agricultural Engineers who specialize in this area are involved
in the design, construction, installation, operation and management of engineering structures
and machines required in the areas listed above. Some of the structures include dams, canals,
erosion control structures, reservoirs, boreholes, irrigation pumps etc.
Post-Harvest Systems Engineering
This aspect of Agricultural Engineering deals with all the activities, processes, structures,
and machines which convert agricultural raw materials (harvested crops) into finished consumer
goods. It covers the area of value addition to crops with the aim of converting the crops to more
usable form or extends the storage life of the crops. Specialist in this aspect handle the design,
construction, operation and management of machines and structures which carry out the
following operations: cleaning, sorting, separation, cooling and drying, size reduction, pelleting,
extruding, expelling, refining, extraction etc. In carrying out all these processes, the material
must be conveyed from one point to the other especially in crop/food processing factories. In
this case, machines for conveyance, discharging and packaging are very essential.
Farm Structures and Environment Control Engineering
This option in Agricultural engineering deals with the design and construction of all
structures that are used in agricultural production. The structures include farm roads, residential
buildings, livestock pens, warehouses for storage and food processing, implement sheds and
farm shops, storage structures, holding bays for produce. The other aspect of the option deals
with the control of environmental factors in farm buildings such as temperature, humidity, light,
and air. Agricultural waste management is also an important part of the option and it includes
waste treatment and recycling, biogas production, waste conversion etc.
Wood Products Engineering
This field of specialization deals with the machines required for utilizing forest products
such as timber and non-timber forest products. It also handles machinery for afforestation such
as loggers, tree fellers/pushers etc.
Food Engineering
This is a specialized area of Agricultural Engineering which deal with the processes and
machinery that are required for processing agricultural products into consumable foods. Areas
covered by this option include operation of feed mills, rice mills, flour mills, vegetable oil
processing, beverage manufacturing, and confectionaries machines for baking, sweet. In
general, it involves the operation and management of food processing industries.
There are emerging areas in Agricultural Engineering currently undergoing major and
important changes as it responds to new developments and challenges These emerging areas
include: Information and communication Technology (ICT); Biotechnology; Environmental
Engineering, Renewable Energy, Ecological Engineering.
ICT involves the use of computer and communications equipment for data acquisition,
machines control, information management and simulation of agricultural systems. ICT enables
information on genes, data bank on crops and similar data to be compiled uploaded on the
internet. This information can be accessed or downloaded by farmers or researchers from any
part of the world. Other applications of ICT in agriculture include weather monitoring and
forecasting and tracking of soil nutrients using remote control systems, Hydrological monitoring
network and precision farming. Biotechnology involves the engineering of biological material.
Applications include gene manipulation, waste recycling, fermentation, vegetable-based fuels
etc. These require specialized equipment such as reactors and sensors.
Environmental Engineering involves all activities concerned with the conservation of the
environment. Most agricultural processes impact negatively on the environment (soil, water air).
Thus, Agricultural Engineering is becoming more important with the current world-wide concern
for soil and water degradation and pollution, as well as contamination of air because of increased
application of technology for exploitation of natural resources. Problems of pollution of farmlands
by crude oil production, urbanization and its encroachment agricultural land, conversion of urban
waste into manure, etc. are some of the issues that are addressed in this area.
Another area, which is not new, but which is currently engaging the nation of Agricultural
Engineers is Renewable Energy Systems. These include the processing and utilization of Solar,
Water and Wind Energy for agricultural production, processing, and handling. New projects in
this area have addressed control of animal and of environment using solar energy, generating
electricity using solar energy and wind is for power generating. Others include alternative
biofuels for internal combustion engines and optimization of energy systems.
Exercises
1. Classify the different processes involved in each area of specialization of Agricultural and
Biosystems Engineering in a matrix.
2. Present the matrix using slides presentation.
Further Readings
1. Major Fields of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering
2. RA 10915
Post Test
Instruction. Encircle the letter of the most appropriate answer to the following statements:
1. This aspect of Agricultural Engineering deals with all the activities, processes, structures
and machines which convert agricultural raw materials (harvested crops) into finished
consumer goods.
c. Farm Power and Machinery Engineering c. Emerging Technology
d. Soil and Water Conservation Engineering d. Post-Harvest Systems Engineering
2. Traditional farming method and system is characterized using primitive tools and
technology, which include except:
c. Solar panel c. bolo
d. Hoe d. axe
3. This is a specialized area of Agricultural Engineering which deal with the processes and
machinery that are required for processing agricultural products into consumable foods.
e. Farm Structures and Environment Control Engineering
f. Wood Products Engineering
g. Food Engineering
h. Post-Harvest Systems Engineering
4. It ensures that soil and water are conserved and reclaimed where and when necessary.
c. Irrigation and Drainage Engineering c. Agrometeorology
d. Soil and Water Conservation Engineering d. All the above
5. Agricultural Allied industries include, except
c. Seed Production Technology c. Horticulture
d. Agricultural machinery Development d. None of the above
6. Which is not an emerging specialization of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering?
a. Mechatronics and Robotics c. Information and Communication Technology
b. Renewable Energy d. Farm Power & Machinery Engineering
7. Development areas of the country where agricultural and biosystems engineering plays
important role, except:
c. Food Security c. rural infrastructure
d. National Defense and Security d. reduction of drudgery in farm work
8. This field of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering specialization deals with the
machines required for utilizing forest products such as timber and non-timber forest
products.
e. Farm Structures and Environment Control Engineering
f. Wood Products Engineering
g. Food Engineering
h. Post-Harvest Systems Engineering
9. Contributions of Agricultural Engineering to national development also include a.
the improved quality of life of farmers
b. sustainable agricultural production
c. Environmental Management
d. all of these
10. It ensures that there is readily available food in the right quantity and quality and at an
affordable price.
c. Price security c. Food Security
d. Food Quality d. All the above
References
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