A Manually Operated Seed Drill For Small-Scale Farmers.

Abstract

The objective of this work was to design and construct a manually operated seed drill for small-scale farmers, particularly those cultivating small acreages in urban and peri-urban areas of Lagos, Nigeria. The machine was constructed using readily available materials and standard mechanical components. The low-cost equipment is pushed by a human operator and operates via a ground- wheel-driven chain and sprocket system that transmits motion to a seed metering mechanism. The drill works best in tilled soils where coverage of the sown seed is easier. The drill was tested with the planting of corn seeds. The efficiency of the machine was 72% and the depth of sowing was influenced by the degree of tilth and moisture content of the soil. With no requirement for fuel or electricity, this innovation is poised to enhance agricultural productivity, especially in resource-constrained settings.