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From the Ancient Nile to Modern Farm Machinery: The Amazing History of Agricultural Engineering!
Agricultural engineering, also known as agricultural and biological systems engineering, is a field of study that applies engineering science and design principles to agriculture. This discipline combines fields such as mechanical, civil, electrical, food science, environmental, software and chemical engineering to improve the efficiency of farms and agricultural enterprises and ensure the sustainability of natural and renewable resources. Agricultural engineers are responsible for engineering design and planning in agricultural projects, often working with agricultural experts with a background in agricultural sciences.
Historical review
The earliest applications of agricultural engineering can be traced to the large-scale irrigation systems of the Nile and Euphrates rivers around 2000 BC. Similar irrigation structures were found among tribes in India and Pakistan in BC. In other parts of Asia, such as China, the application of agricultural engineering is even more extensive. In South America, the Incas and Aztecs also practiced irrigation.
The earliest plow was the "soil plow". With the advancement of technology, mechanical harvesters and planters appeared during the Industrial Revolution, gradually replacing traditional farm labor.
The Industrial Revolution gave birth to a series of agricultural machinery, such as the mechanical threshing machine introduced by John Lloyd and others in 1761, the vibrating threshing machine designed by Andrew Meeker in 1786, and the vibrating threshing machine designed by Charles Newbold in 1790. Cast iron plow made between 1796 and 1796. In the early 19th century, Jim Smith and George Berry also each made a number of important agricultural machinery inventions. The introduction of these technologies marked the beginning of a "second agricultural revolution."
Sub-disciplines of agricultural engineering
Agricultural engineering has several sub-disciplines, some of the most common include: agricultural machinery, agricultural structures, agricultural surveying, fish farming, biomechanics and ergonomics, forestry engineering, irrigation, land development, pesticides, precision agriculture, and soil management.
The role of the agricultural engineer
Agricultural engineers work on a wide range of tasks, including designing and managing dairy wastewater treatment systems, construction of irrigation, drainage, and flood control systems, performing environmental impact assessments, and handling agricultural products. Most agricultural engineers work in academia or government agencies, while some work as consultants for private engineering companies.
In the United States, the Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers was founded in 1907, becoming the premier organization in the field of agricultural engineering and setting safety and regulatory standards for the agricultural industry worldwide.
State of each country
In Armenia, the agricultural sector's contribution to GDP increased from 20% in 2006 to 25% in 2010. In the Philippines, agricultural and biosystems engineers need to pass relevant examinations to obtain licenses. This position covers consulting, evaluation, investigation, and design of agricultural structures and facilities. Agricultural engineers in the UK are mostly responsible for repairing and improving agricultural equipment.
The development of agricultural engineering not only improves agricultural production efficiency, but also solves the problems of food security and environmental sustainable development. With the advancement of science and technology, what new changes will agricultural engineering usher in? Are you also looking forward to the future technology of agriculture?
