Additional tests done in relation to seed spacing were the average seed missing index ,multiple index and quality of feed index. The results for those tests were as follows: 3% average seed missing index, 0% seed multiple index, 4% quality of feeding index which indicates that the planter has 97% precision in terms of seed spacing. This result could be due to the seeds metering device housing and seed tube which are the major source of inaccuracy in seed spacing. The cultivating unit was tested in the field at an average operating speed of 3.5km/h. Results indicated that the cultivator mean working width was 43 cm, the mean weeding depth was 3.5 cm while the cultivator mean weeding efficiency was 79.1%. These results are comparable to those obtained by other researchers who did similar work but in different environments and contexts such as . The effective field capacity averaged 0.1 ha/h with minimum and maximum of 0.09 ha/h and 1.12 ha/h, respectively. This indicates that it requires about 10 hours to weed one hectare of a maize field as opposed to 80 man–hours required when done manually as reported by and.Therefore, weeding using the developed cultivator can reduce time and labor requirements in farms.
Reference valuated fivetined and threetined animal drawn cultivators and found their effective field capacity to be 0.08 ha/h and 0.05 ha/h, respectively.Hence this new developed cultivator is more efficient than both five- and threetined cultivator developed by . This study has demonstrated that it is technically feasible to integrate planting and cultivation units onto an existing mould board plough beam to develop an integrated tool suitable for use in small-scale maize farming. This approach to development of farm tools has potential to reduce ownership costs of equipment which may contribute their increased adoption. This would be in line with current strategies for agricultural transformation in Africa whereby mechanization has been identified among the critical inputs needed to reduce extreme drudgery while improving productivity and production. Results of performance testing for the prototype indicate that its level of efficiency, effectiveness and reliability for planting and weeding operations is superior to manual operations currently used by small-scale farmers in the county and is comparable to similar but single-unit proto types developed in other parts of the world.
This demonstrates that the prototype has potential to transform mechanization on smallholder farms which in turn can result in improved productivity and production on such farms. This would lead to improved food security and reduction in drudgery associated with hand tools thereby making agricultural work more decent.It is recommended to make further improvement on the prototype prior to adoption especially perfecting the seed metering devices to reduce seed damage and to develop supplementary metering devices such that the planter can be used as a multi-crop planter to sow other crops like soy beans and groundnut. In addition, an economic and ergonomic evaluation for the new developed prototype needs to assess suitability. Further, more rigorous testing in farmers’ fields with different soil types and conditions should be carried out to generalize field performance of the prototype.Recent world production of fresh tomato fruits was 165 million tons with a value of about 60 billion US dollars in 2013 .Tomato fruits contain protein, fat, carbohydrate, minerals , carotene, thiamine, nicotinic acid, riboflavin, and ascorbicacid . Tomato is also an important source for vitamins A and C, carotenoids,and lycopene . Carotenoids are useful against breast cancer and prostate cancer . Tomato is ranked among the top five vegetables in terms of antioxidant activity .Tomatoes are cultivated mainly by conventional methods using chemical fertilizers and agrochemicals. A recent report showed that only 1% of agricultural fields in the world are cultivated under organic farming systems. Although the yield is relatively stable in conventional farming systems, excessive use of chemical fertilizers and agrochemicals can cause severe environmental, socio-economic, and human health problems.
As a result, consumer awareness towards organic foods has been increasing recently.Organic cultivation methods cause relatively lower environmental damage if compared with conventional farming and the organic crop product is considered tasty and healthy.Studies on tomato have also shown that antioxidants, flavonoids,sugar, and vitamin C are generally higher in organically grown fruits than conventionally grown fruits . However, the yield is more unstable and/or lower in organic farming systems than conventional systems. Therefore, an alternative organic agricultural system is required to ensure high yield and quality of agricultural products. In addition, the cultivation method must be efficient, reliable, reproducible, and simple.Soil microorganisms play several beneficial roles such as decomposing organic materials, releasing nutrients to plants, and bioremediation of pesticide polluted soils.Therefore, soil microorganisms are considered key players in maintaining soil fertility. A large and active microorganism community is needed for efficient nutrient cycling and steady supply of nutrients to the plants.