Effect Of Introducing Agricultural Mechanization Through Cooperative Societies

1.0 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
1.1 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. 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.
In Imo state, most inhabitants survive through Agriculture and their main occupation is subsistence faming 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 uses of strength and human power is generally adopted, that is (Manual Cultivation). Agricultural Production was their target, and these were successfully done through and help of Agricultural Mechanization to minimize the stress and problems in cultivating and harvesting.
The application of machine to Agricultural Production has been one of the outstanding developments in Cooperative Societies in our rural areas especially in Owerri North Local Government of Imo State. The burden and drudgery of farm works has been reducing greatly increased. Farm Mechanization has released million of Agricultural Workers to other industries, this contributing to Imo State’s remarkable expansion and to the state.
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 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. A major factor however, has been the increased utilization of non human energy and of more effective. Machine and implements.
Modernization has been aided by and in some case 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. 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 adopting machines on Agricultural in the state.
The Effect on Agricultural Mechanization has attracted 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, sources of statements have country today; sources of statements have been made in the newspapers and other news medias, by scholars advocating the use of cooperative societies for the development and improvement of living standard of the rural people.
Meanwhile, many government programmes have been launched in support of this rural development, such as Agricultural Development Authority (NALDA), Although, some cooperative development Banks programme are Agricultural Cooperative and Rural Development Bank. Agricultural credit Gurantee scheme fund. (ACGST) etc.

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 mistake 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 need consideration. Many other factors are involved and one or more of these may be decisive even thought it’s 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
Cooperative societies is an organization of persons aimed at identifying the problems of the societies and taking a step towards solving it. There are various reason’s why cooperation societies introducing Agricultural Mechanization, and they are listed below;
1. Reduction of labour requirement
2. To minimize a high peak labour demand that occurs over a relatively short period of time each year, as in harvesting certain fruits and vegetables.
3. Several labour shortage and high wages rate, together with the simultaneous demand for increased agricultural production.
4. Prevention of drastic reduction in crop area.
5. Mechanization encourages better management of farm enterprises and makes it possible by providing more free time for planning and study.
6. Mechanization also contributes to timelines which in turn, often increase profits
7. Many field operation must be performed with rather short period of time if optimum results or maximum return are to be obtained
8. Improvement of working conditions and performance of jobs that would otherwise be difficult or impossible by hand method
9. Over all cost reduction is highly desirable but not always imperative.

1.4 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;
1. What are the objectives of mechanization?
2. Why do cooperative societies have interest in introducing Agriculture mechanization?
3. In what way can the government encourage cooperatives to carryout this project.
4. Is mechanization facing any problem?
5. How can one select his machines?
6. 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 STUDY
This study was intended to examine the effect of introducing agricultural mechanization through cooperative societies, with particular reference to Owerri North L.G.A. of Imo State.

1.8 LIMITATION OF STUDY
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.

1.9 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.