CIGR Newsletter No 34
NEWS OF THE SECTIONS, WORKING GROUPS AND MEMBERS
Report on the 6th Full Members Session of the Club of Bologna
Conclusions and Recommendations of the 6th Full
Members Session of the Club of Bologna.
This session was held on the occasion of the EIMA Show on 6-8 November 1995. Fifty experts from 25 countries attended the meeting held under the auspices of CIGR, discussing a general subject on 'An appropriate agricultural mechanization in the various world regions'. The subject was divided into three main topics:
- Methodologies for the identification of the optimum mechanization level;
- Technological level needed in the various agricultural areas;
- Role of high technologies to contribute to machine design and operations.
The meeting reached unanimously the following conclusions and recommendations.
Conclusions and Recommendations
1. Methodologies for identification of optimum mechanization levels
Three key-note reports by E Audsley (UK), P Jannot (FR) and G Castelli and F Mazzetto (IT) were presented. Each summarizes the advances in modelling of mechanization management in the three countries.
On the basis of a wide-ranging discussion the members drew the following main conclusions.
The use of computer-based mechanization modelling can significantly contribute to the identification of optimum mechanization strategies. The up-to-date research results on the subject show that the sector has greatly progressed in terms of both methodology (acquisition and transfer of data, identification of the various modelling techniques, definition of goals) and availability of appropriate computer programs.
The application of model-based systems will allow improved organization of farms in terms of crops grown and more rational use of farm equipment. This offers potential economic gains through improved efficiency of production.
For effective diffusion at farm level of the various models it is necessary to overcome constraints such as:
- the difficulty of making available reliable farm data;
- the lack of education of farmers in the use of modelling technologies for decision making;
- the lack in several countries of effective extension services;
- the difficulty of demonstrating the effectiveness of the results from the use of appropriate models.
Taking into account the above considerations two research priorities are identified:
- improved modelling methodologies incorporating factors such as risk, environmental impacts and other unquantifiables;
- automated data collection from machines engaged in real farm operations;
- interactive models for machinery management.
In developing farm model-based systems due regard should be given to the following factors:
- for each agricultural region representative data must be collected and analysed on depreciation of tractors and other machines, repair costs, work rates, consumption of fuel and other energies, timeliness penalties from agronomic experiments, and environmental impacts;
- acceptability to the beneficiaries such as farmers, contractors and co-operatives with machinery-sharing arrangements;
- flexibility of use;
- ability to identify and control risks;
- compatibility with environmental requirements;
- in harmony with standards relating to machines and agricultural practices.
2. Technological levels needed in different agricultural areas
Four key-note reports were presented covering the industrialized countries, South Asian, Central and East European and Latin American countries respectively.
On the basis of the report presented by JK Schueller and WA Stout (US) the Club Members recommend that the highly industrialized countries develop their mechanization policies to reduce production costs, improve product quality, safeguard workers' health and safety and protect the environment (soil, water and air). Taking into account the growing role of contractors, the members agree on the need to develop two main mechanization strategies, one to be used by contractors and machinery-sharing companies and one to be used directly by farmers.
These goals could be achieved through:
- for tractors: the optimization of tractor-implement combinations; low ground pressure high efficiency tyres and tracks; lightweight design; the reduction of engine emissions; the reduction of energy losses; continuously variable transmissions; mechanical front-wheel drive systems; suspensions for improved ride comfort; and sensing and control elements;
- for agricultural machines: precision farming technologies based on global positioning systems; technologies for tillage; innovations which reduce specific energy inputs and emissions; new machinery for biomass and other industrial crops; machinery with improved performance; sensors and related algorithms to control performance; systems to minimize operator exposure to chemicals and to other health and safety risks.
These technologies are often too expensive for one manufacturer. The Club Members therefore underline the need to support research co-operation and technology transfer between research institutes and/or the industrial sector.
The key-note report presented by G Singh (IN) underlined the development of Indian agriculture over the last 45 years. At present, India is self-sufficient in food production through the increased use of high-yielding varieties and irrigation as well as the increase in power made available for agriculture through rural electrification and the introduction of locally manufactured tractors and other machines. By the year 2000, however, the total population of India will reach 1 billion, the agricultural area is subdivided into more than 105 million farms with an average size under 2 ha; the efficiency of use of the key agricultural inputs is still low and about 70% of the total cropped area is dryland with low and variable crop yields.
Taking into account these major issues, the members recommend the local development of appropriate mechanization, with particular reference to the technologies for:
- environmental conservation;
- improvement of produce packaging and handling;
- development of rural agro-processing, including aquaculture and the utilization of agricultural wastes;
- rationalization and development of modern irrigation systems driven by renewable energy sources.
The development of agricultural extension services and contractor services are crucial to the achievement of these objectives.
In Central and east European countries, the members, on the basis of the key-note report by P Kic (CZ), recognize the general difficulties of the various countries in transforming the centrally-planned economies into market economies. These difficulties have produced an economic recession in both the industrial and agricultural sectors within the former COMECON area, with the result that the agricultural machinery industry has drastically reduced its production. The present situation in the various countries is greatly different but there are some common characteristics, namely the large numbers engaged in agriculture and the small farm size of a few hectares, despite, the continued existence of large cooperative farms.
The drastic reduction in industrial production in the last four years and the decrease in purchasing power of the farmers has limited the introduction of appropriate mechanization and good farm management. Once, the opportunity for the development of contractor services and shared machinery use was demonstrated some small manufacturers and dealers were able to satisfy the immediate agricultural needs. Joint ventures between local manufacturers and well-established international companies could continue this trend.
On the basis of this approach the members recommend that industrialized countries should promote the transfer of appropriate technologies to increase yields, decrease losses and improve environmental protection. Without resolution of the issue of land ownership, the development of cooperation between eastern and western manufacturers will be inhibited.
The key-note report presented by TL Wiles (UK) which highlighted several important issues linked to the development of agricultural mechanization in Latin America, confirms the considerable yet diverse need for mechanization of food and industrial crops on farms of widely varying sizes and management systems.
Levels of mechanization vary considerably through the region and it is not uncommon to find well-organized, highly-mechanized agriculture alongside systems based almost exclusively on hand labour, as is the case with all the coffee grown outside Brazil.
Case study examples were provided on agrochemical spraying and soil tillage to illustrate the need for appropriate mechanization to protect workers and the environment, to conserve soil and water and to assist timely planting. There are issues which are currently much more critical in this part of the world than in most developed agricultural countries.
Moreover, the appraisal confirms that simply transferring technologies from more developed countries into Latin America is often inappropriate. Requirements are location-specific and must take into account the prevailing climatic, pedological, agronomic, structural and socio-economic conditions.
The members recommend the following principles for improved mechanization in Latin America:
- to pay particular attention to the local conditions, which require the development of appropriate systems and strategies which often differ from those of more developed countries;
- to support links between agricultural research and teaching institutes and between equipment manufacturing companies from Latin America and more developed countries.
3. Role of advanced technologies in machine design and operation
The key-note report by F Sevila, JM Roger and B Bonicelli (FR) focused mainly on mechatronics. This term is widely applied to machines operating with less direct human involvement.
These machines are being developed in response to new social, economic and technological trends:
- the development of highly-specialized types of farming;
- the reduced willingness of labour to perform some tasks;
- the improved performance and decreasing cost of electronic components and software.
The members recognize that mechatronics for agricultural applications (including on-line sensors, signal, data and information processing systems, and electronically controlled actuators) tend to be more complex than the ones developed for other industrial applications.
Mechatronics should not be developed in isolation but rather in cooperation between farmers, engineers, information technology specialists, and scientists. There is of course, the need for the industry to develop specific expertise in its design teams which will allow them to make experienced decisions.
Procedures to discipline the design process have been identified. They include hierarchical system modelling to represent the mechatronic device throughout its development, and systematic representation of the reasoning for each step of the design.
Having recognized the advantages that the application of mechatronics can give to the agricultural machinery sector, the members recommend a coordinated effort for further development of these technologies.
- Taking into account that a limitation of the application of mechatronics is that agronomic and biological models, and appropriate sensors, are less advanced than mechatronic devices, greater efforts should be devoted by agronomists, biologists and physicists to remedy this deficiency.
- Taking into account that most agricultural machinery manufacturers are of small to medium size improved R & D cooperation between research institutions and industry should be stimulated in order to support the application of this innovative approach.
- A high priority is also given to adequate education of engineers, which should not be by isolated training but by focusing on the real needs of machinery and farming systems.
(comm. by Prof. G. Pellizzi, Past-President CIGR)
CIGR's Calendar of Events
Preliminary work to the Calendar of Events is now completed and this service should soon be available to everyone involved in agricultural engineering. All events are given in chronological order together with date and place of the event, title of the event and eventually organizer and finally an address with fax and e-mail for additional information. This Calendar of Events can soon be consulted at CIGR's Web site:
http://wwworg.nlh.no/CIGR/Report of CIGR Working Group 17: Labour and Technology in Milk Production
The Working Group, started in 1993, has completed its work at the end of 1995. The report of 90 pages has been published by the TTS-Institute and can be ordered there (Fax.: +358 0 2904 1279). The price is 80 FIM + postage. The Working Group was led by Prof. Erkki Oksanen (TTS-Institute, Finland) and the members were: Mr B Sonck (Research Station of Agricultural Engineering, Belgium), Mr P Keller and Mr CG Sorensen (Research Centre Bygholm, Denmark), Prof. G Széles and Mr J Fejes (Pannon Agricultural University, Hungary), Dr HWJ Donkers, Ing. A Michels and Ing. GH Kroeze (IMAG-DLO, The Netherlands) and Mr J Palonen (TTS-Institute, Finland) acting as secretary of the Working Group.
The goal of the study was to compare the use of technology and labour on milk production farms in order to discover what kind of dairy farms are competing with each other in the countries concerned. The main emphasis of the study was on how milk production is organized on typical farms in each country. The study concentrated on the work methods, machinery and labour used in feeding and manure handling. Other matters studied were electricity consumption and the types of cow houses used.
The results show that dairy farms in Belgium, Denmark and in The Netherlands are much alike. A typical dairy farm in these countries has a cubicle house for 40-80 cows with natural ventilation and a liquid manure system. Finland and Hungary differ from the other countries in this study. In Finland the differences are caused by the cold climate and small farm sizes and in Hungary by the large-scale production units, which use only hired employees.
The labour time used for milking varied from 1.6 to 7.3 min/cow/day. The shortest milking times were found in the large (100 cows) model farms in Denmark and in The Netherlands. On these farms one person milked all the cows in a large milking parlour. The longest milking times were found in the small (18 cows) model farms in Finland, where one person is milking in a stanchion barn with three milking units.
As commonly known milking is the most time-consuming work in dairy farming (feed production excluded). The level of technology used for milking affects more the total labour time requirement on a single farm than does the level of technology used for feeding and manure handling. (comm. by J. Palonen, Secr. WG17)
