Thesis Abstract

Abstract
This research project aims to fabricate and evaluate the performance of a tractor-mounted single-row cassava planter in a system of operation. Cassava is a vital crop in many tropical regions, and the planting process significantly affects the yield and efficiency of cultivation. The traditional manual planting of cassava is labor-intensive and time-consuming, prompting the need for mechanized planters to enhance productivity. The design and fabrication of the tractor-mounted single-row cassava planter involve integrating components such as a seed hopper, seed metering mechanism, furrow opener, and covering mechanism. The planter is designed to be attached to a tractor to facilitate planting in rows, ensuring proper spacing and depth for optimal plant growth. The performance evaluation of the planter includes testing parameters such as planting depth, seed spacing, planting speed, and overall planting efficiency. The research methodology includes designing the planter using CAD software, fabricating the components using appropriate materials, and conducting field tests to assess the planter's performance. The field tests involve planting cassava in various soil conditions to evaluate the planter's ability to maintain consistent planting depth and spacing. Data on planting speed and efficiency are collected to compare the performance of the tractor-mounted planter with traditional manual planting methods. The results of the performance evaluation indicate that the tractor-mounted single-row cassava planter offers significant improvements in planting efficiency compared to manual methods. The planter achieves consistent planting depth and spacing, leading to more uniform plant emergence and improved crop establishment. The planting speed of the mechanized planter is also higher, reducing the time required to plant a given area. Overall, the fabricated tractor-mounted single-row cassava planter demonstrates enhanced performance in cassava planting operations, offering a more efficient and productive alternative to traditional manual methods. The findings of this research can contribute to the adoption of mechanized planting technologies in cassava cultivation, potentially enhancing food security and agricultural sustainability in tropical regions. Further research can focus on optimizing the design and operation of the planter for larger-scale cassava farming systems.

Thesis Overview

1.0  INTRODUCTION

Cassava is a major staple crop in Nigeria, as cassava and its product are found in daily meals of Nigeria.

Currently, cassava is undergoing a transition from a mere subsistent crop found on the field of peasants to a commercial crop grown in plantations. Cassava is drought tolerant, staple food crop grown in tropics and subtropical areas. Cassava is to African peasant farmers what rice is to Asian farmer or wheat and potatoes are to European farmers (El-Sharkawy, 2003).

Although raw cassava roots contain significant vitamin C, it is well sensitive to eat and easily leaches into water and therefore almost all of the processing techniques seriously affect its content (Julie et al, 2009).

In the subtropical region of southern China, cassava is the fifth largest crop in term of production, after rice, sweet potato, sugar cane and maize. China is also the largest export market for cassava produced in Vietnam and Thailand. Over 60% of cassava production in China is concentrated in a single province, Guangxi, averaging over 7 million tons annually (Frederick, 2008).

Nigeria produces about 54 million metric tons (MT), making her the highest cassava producer in the world, producing a third more than Brazil and almost double the production capacity of Thailand and Indonesia. Currently more than 248 million tons of cassava was produced worldwide in 2012 of which Africa accounted for 58% (IITA, 2012; FAO, 2013).

Over time, cassava has evolved from being a peasant’s crop to cash crop and industrial crop. Cassava in Nigeria is used for 2 main purposes:- 90% as human food and only 5-10% as secondary industrial material (used mostly as animal feed). Cassava production in Nigeria is increasing every year but Nigeria continues to import starch, flour, sweeteners, that can be made from cassava (Cassava Master Plan, 2006).

1. AIM

To design, Fabricate and run performance evaluation of a tractor mounted single row cassava planter.

1. OBJECTIVES
2. To enhance cassava planting through mechanization across the valve chain.
3. To reduce the time involved in planting.
4. To reduce stress involved in planting
5. To design the machine for effective use on the farmland or field.
6. To promote large scale productivity and also increase income for the farmers.

1.3 PROBLEM STATEMENT

Cassava (Manihot Esculenta) is a very important and valuable crop with numerous or variable uses. The farmers encounter series of problems in planting the cassava, tilling the soil, covering of the soil, inadequate land due to land tenure system, uses of implements like cutlass, hoe etc., all these activities or processes takes much more time of the farmers. That is why faprmers cannot practice cassava production on a large scale of land due to the time consumption and stressful effort to carry the processes out.

1.4 SCOPE AND LIMITATION

The scope of the project is to design, fabricate and a performance evaluation of a tractor mounted single row cassava planter in a system of operation. The machine is applicable to small scale production or operation for cassava processing in rural areas.

The limitation of the project is to plant on one phase row ridges which cannot function more than one hopper and a farmer planting the cassava through the hopper.