Unit II: Farm Machinery and Power – ICAR AIEEA PG ABM Exam-Focused Guide
This guide covers the entire Unit II syllabus for ICAR AIEEA PG Agri-Business Management. It includes scope, power sources, machinery used in tillage, sowing, spraying, irrigation, harvesting, and the basics of energy and technology in mechanization.
📌 1. Scope of Farm Mechanization
- Improves timeliness and accuracy of field operations.
- Reduces human drudgery and dependence on animal power.
- Enables precision farming and efficient input use.
📌 2. Sources of Farm Power
| Source | Example | Pros | Limitations |
|---|
| Human Power | Manual labor | Low cost, available | Low output, fatigue |
| Animal Power | Oxen, bullocks | Eco-friendly | Slow, outdated for large farms |
| Mechanical Power | Tractors, diesel engines | High output, multipurpose | Fuel costs, pollution |
| Electrical Power | Electric motors, threshers | Efficient, clean | Not available in all villages |
| Renewable Power | Solar pumps, biogas engines | Sustainable and clean | High initial cost |
📌 3. Basics of Energy and Technology in Farm Mechanization
- **Energy in agriculture** refers to power used to operate tools, machines, and irrigation systems.
- **Renewable sources** like solar, wind, and biogas reduce dependency on fossil fuels.
- **Technology** like GPS-guided tractors, drip irrigation controllers, and precision seeders improve productivity and reduce input waste.
| Energy Type | Example Use | Efficiency |
|---|
| Solar Power | Solar pump sets | High – clean energy |
| Biogas | Powering engines | Moderate – sustainable |
| Diesel | Tractor operations | High – but costly |
📌 4. Tillage Machinery
- Primary tillage: MB plough, disc plough – break soil
- Secondary tillage: Harrow, cultivator – refine soil bed
📌 5. Sowing Equipment
| Tool | Function | Crop Example |
|---|
| Seed Drill | Uniform row planting | Wheat |
| Dibbler | Manual seed placement | Vegetables |
| Planter | Precision sowing | Maize |
📌 6. Intercultural Tools
- Used for weeding, loosening, and aerating soil.
- Examples: Wheel hoe, power weeder, tractor cultivator
📌 7. Plant Protection Sprayers
| Type | Power Source | Application |
|---|
| Knapsack | Manual | Small plots |
| Rocker | Foot-pedal/manual | Vegetables |
| Power sprayer | Engine | Large fields |
📌 8. Irrigation Equipment
- Diesel/electric pumps – for surface irrigation
- Drip irrigation – water-saving tech for row crops
- Sprinklers – even distribution in fields
📌 9. Harvesting and Threshing Machinery
| Equipment | Use | Suitable Crop |
|---|
| Sickle | Manual cutting | Paddy |
| Reaper | Mechanical cutting | Wheat |
| Combine Harvester | Harvest + thresh + clean | Rice, wheat |
| Thresher | Separate grain from husk | Maize, pulses |
📘 Recommended Books
- Principles of Agricultural Engineering – A.M. Michael & T.P. Ojha
- Farm Machinery and Power – Dr. R.C. Mishra
- ICAR ABM PG Guide – NIPA or R. Gupta
🌐 Official Resources
📝 Exam Tips
- Make flashcards for implement names and their use.
- Practice MCQs from NIPA guide & PYQs.
- Understand differences between manual, mechanical, and renewable tools.
🔔 Final Note
This unit guide is based on important concepts from the syllabus, such as farm mechanization, power sources, and basic technologies. Still, it is recommended to revise all areas mentioned in the ICAR AIEEA PG ABM Unit II syllabus and practice PYQs for comprehensive understanding.
