Wind technology, as another type of renewable energy, can provide mechanical and electrical energy in the agricultural sector ( Schnepf 2003). In this area farmers are able to harness and utilize wind energy in many ways, including generating power to reduce energy costs thereby eradicating poverty, leasing land to wind developers, and becoming wind developers themselves therefore increasing their energy self sufficiency.
Firstly, Bolay et al (2014) suggest that in order to eradicate poverty, technologies suitable for sustainable development along with the concept of globalization should be used. They illustrate that wind turbines are used for the generation of electricity in areas such as Bafoussam, Bafou in Cameroon, West Africa. (Baloy et al 2014). However, they indicate that these turbines are in need of upgrades. Their investigations show the efficiency of the designs and locations, along with necessary upgrades needed for the turbines. Ali et al note the actual use of other wind technologies applicable to sustainable development in agriculture and which designs are most efficient.
Electric wind generators are much more efficient and reliable than old water-pumping fan-bladed windmills. They may also be cheaper than power lines and are more convenient and cheaper than diesel generators. (Ali et al 2012). Furthermore, the research indicates that the wind energy can be used to dry agricultural products such as husked nuts, leafy vegetables and animal manure. Additionally, wind energy in post harvesting activities are usually adapted by farmers along with winnowing of beans, fodder seeds, wheat and barley seeds.
However, Fami et al (2010) argue that smallholder farming households, farmers and their wives who are higher in age, with more experience, and larger family size are more dependent on renewable energy and materials. As a result, they are mostly resource-poor and unable to pay the cost of non-renewable energy and materials. In addition, electricity is accessible only in the farms located nearby the city. Fami et al (2010) also notes that farmers faced several challenges in implementing the use of renewable sources such as the impairment of operation due to traditional structure of farming systems, and how new technologies were not applicable for solving farming problems.Therefore, they use renewable energy and material in considerable extent due to both the lack of availability of non-renewable energy, technology and materials, as well as the farmer’s inability to bear the costs.
Both Kaushik and Ramaraj speak about wind energy, its applications and benefits to the sector. Kaushik surpasses Chel, recommending criteria which includes, providing various opportunities to the communities and allowing them to choose the best renewable source of energy suitable for them (Chel 2011). Kaushik describes its environmental and social impacts as well as its economic feasibility and the negative implications (Chel 2011). Kaushik provides a realistic idea while Ramaraj takes a futurist perspective. Chel notes that for local farmers, wind turbines may be an expensive venture (Chel 2011) while Ramaraj predicts the fall in cost of the technology (Prahbu 2014). Ramaraj’s journal entry focuses more on informing about the state of the technology while Kaushik does this while providing other necessary information and statistics needed to implement the aim of both authors' journal entries.
The use of wind energy in the agricultural sector is found to be both advantageous and disadvantageous in its economical variant. This is another step where governments can use these wind technologies to reach closer to globalization. Farmers find it expensive to implement the new technology, however, the economic turnover in the long run is to their advantage and proves a greater benefit to the agricultural sector.
REFERENCES:
Bolay, Jean-Claude, Silvia Hostettler, and Jean Hazboun, eds. Technologies For Sustainable Development. A Way To Reduce Poverty? Switzerland: Springer International Publishing, 2014. PDF.
Ali, S.M., Nutan Dash, and Arjyadhara Pradhan. "Role of Renewable Energy on Agriculture." International Journal of Engineering Sciences and Emerging Technologies 4, no. 1 (December 2012): 51-57. Accessed March 3, 2016. http://www.ijeset.com/media/0001/6N7-IJESET711.pdf.
Ramaraj, Rameshprabhu, and Natthawud Dussadee. "Renewable Energy Application for Organic Agriculture: A Review." International Journal of Sustainable and Green Energy 4, no. 1 (December 31, 2014): 33-38. Accessed March 5, 2016. http://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijrse.s.2015040101.15.pdf.
Wind technology is also a great idea for a source of power and will definitely be helpful to different societal sectors. I just wished you had at least a picture in this blog.
Thanks for sharing this info
Your post has been submitted to be manually curated by @gitplait community account because this is the kind of publications we like to see in our community.
Join our Community on Hive and Chat with us on Discord.
[Gitplait-Team]
Pictures are not necessary to stimulate the intellect.