Staff use the mobile solar kit as a power source on the farm and at field events. The kit has been used to demonstrate the workings of solar electricity to hundreds of adults and children on field trips and at farmer’s markets, environmental fairs, and other agricultural events.
The solar demo kit consists of the following items:
• 2-55 watt BP Solar modules (110 watts total power)
• 2-12 volt 105 amp-hour batteries (210 amp-hours total storage capacity)
• 1200 watt power inverter for converting 12 volt direct current stored in the batteries to 120 volt alternating current.
• A charge controller to regulate battery voltage
• A 12 volt water pump to run directly from the solar array
• Guages to monitor battery charge and power generated by the solar array.
All components are mounted on a convenient, portable cart for easy transport to field events and around the farm.
One of the most practical uses of solar electricity is in remote power situations.
The solar fence charger is used to electrify a mobile fence used for chickens. Rather than keeping the farm’s laying hens penned up in a building or yard. The farmers move them around, enabling the chickens to consume fresh plants.
The staff has set up a wind and solar electricity demonstration at the main public building, The system consists of:
• An 800 watt wind generator mounted on a pole attached to the farm silo
• 330 watts of solar power (2-165 watt modules)
• 4 350 amp-hour, 6 volt batteries (provides 700 amp-hours of storage at 12 volts)
• A charge controller, safety disconnects, and monitoring gauges
• A 1200 watt power inverter for converting 12 volt direct current to 120 volt alternating current (to power household devices)
• 12 volt DC lighting
• 120 volt AC compact fluorescent lighting
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
History
1986 AVA Singapore, Agri-Food Veterinary Authority, have started high tech because of limited agricultural land in Singapore. High-tech Farming need less space, for more products, less manpower, more hygiene and eventually better product
To date, there are over 200 farms in six agrotechnology Parks that include
-Lim Chu Kang Agrotechnology Park
-Murai Agrotechnology Park
-Mandai Agrotechnology Park
-Sungei Tengah Agrotechnology Park
-Nee Soon Agrotechnology Park
-Loyang Agrotechnology Park
Some of the many products that we use in our daily lives are products of High-tech Farming, such as Vegetables from NTUC and "Seng Choon" Eggs.
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agrotechnology
To date, there are over 200 farms in six agrotechnology Parks that include
-Lim Chu Kang Agrotechnology Park
-Murai Agrotechnology Park
-Mandai Agrotechnology Park
-Sungei Tengah Agrotechnology Park
-Nee Soon Agrotechnology Park
-Loyang Agrotechnology Park
Some of the many products that we use in our daily lives are products of High-tech Farming, such as Vegetables from NTUC and "Seng Choon" Eggs.
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agrotechnology
Timeline of the development of High-tech Farming
1960~1969
-During the 60s, many Singaporeans were involved in agricultural activities. There were some 20,000 farms then occupying more than 14,000 hectares of land. Most farmers and fishermen were poorly educated and they used traditional farming methods.
-Farmers were also educated with stuff tat is related to agriculture such as animal husbandry and fisheries.
-Farm licensing was introduced in 1968 to provide essential data on the structure of agriculture in Singapore. The information allowed the government to formulate policies and plans to further develop intensive farming to ensure optimal use of limited land resources.
1970~1979
-In the 1970s, farmers were re-settled from the water catchment sites, which were affected by public projects. Larger commercial farms using more intensive methods of production replaced the subsistence type farms. An intensive pig farming estate was also developed in Punggol to house relocated pig farms.
-The Jurong Fishing Port was upgraded to cater for increased port and market activities.
-The abattoir facilities were upgraded and a new meat technology laboratory was set up to ensure that meat and meat products were wholesome and safe for consumption.
1980~1989
-Due to land constrain, Agrotechnology FParks were introduced.
-New technologies were constantly developed to help the local agri-industry stay competitive and highly productive. PPD,Primary Production Department, undertook numerous collaborative research and development projects with local and overseas institutions.
1990~1999
-The development of the Agrotechnology Parks (totaling some 1500 hectres) was completed in 1995. Future advances in agriculture will most likely come from agri-biotechnology. Local research institutes such as the Institute of Molecular Agrobiology carried out R&D in agricultural biotechnology. An Agri-Bio Park was developed to house companies undertaking R&D and production of agribiotechnology products such as animal vaccines, biologics, diagnostic kits for animal and plant diseases, disease and pest resistant plants and bio-pesticides.
2000~2009
-Much of our supply of fresh food is derived from a few major sources. Any disruption in supply from such sources can have severe impact on our food supply. Efforts to raise levels of self-sufficiency will be limited by the scarcity of agricultural land. It is thus critical to continually identify new sources of safe and quality food to prevent over-dependence on a few sources. This may involve facilitating overseas investments in food production, the transfer of farming technology and the extension of laboratory services to the region.
-During the 60s, many Singaporeans were involved in agricultural activities. There were some 20,000 farms then occupying more than 14,000 hectares of land. Most farmers and fishermen were poorly educated and they used traditional farming methods.
-Farmers were also educated with stuff tat is related to agriculture such as animal husbandry and fisheries.
-Farm licensing was introduced in 1968 to provide essential data on the structure of agriculture in Singapore. The information allowed the government to formulate policies and plans to further develop intensive farming to ensure optimal use of limited land resources.
1970~1979
-In the 1970s, farmers were re-settled from the water catchment sites, which were affected by public projects. Larger commercial farms using more intensive methods of production replaced the subsistence type farms. An intensive pig farming estate was also developed in Punggol to house relocated pig farms.
-The Jurong Fishing Port was upgraded to cater for increased port and market activities.
-The abattoir facilities were upgraded and a new meat technology laboratory was set up to ensure that meat and meat products were wholesome and safe for consumption.
1980~1989
-Due to land constrain, Agrotechnology FParks were introduced.
-New technologies were constantly developed to help the local agri-industry stay competitive and highly productive. PPD,Primary Production Department, undertook numerous collaborative research and development projects with local and overseas institutions.
1990~1999
-The development of the Agrotechnology Parks (totaling some 1500 hectres) was completed in 1995. Future advances in agriculture will most likely come from agri-biotechnology. Local research institutes such as the Institute of Molecular Agrobiology carried out R&D in agricultural biotechnology. An Agri-Bio Park was developed to house companies undertaking R&D and production of agribiotechnology products such as animal vaccines, biologics, diagnostic kits for animal and plant diseases, disease and pest resistant plants and bio-pesticides.
2000~2009
-Much of our supply of fresh food is derived from a few major sources. Any disruption in supply from such sources can have severe impact on our food supply. Efforts to raise levels of self-sufficiency will be limited by the scarcity of agricultural land. It is thus critical to continually identify new sources of safe and quality food to prevent over-dependence on a few sources. This may involve facilitating overseas investments in food production, the transfer of farming technology and the extension of laboratory services to the region.
Basic Knowledge of high-tech farming
High-tech farming mainly refers to agricultural methods using the latest technology, like hydrophonics and aerophonics. That is to say growing veggies in water or in the air only, without the use of soil. And there’s also orchid farms and ornamental fish. It’s also called agrotechnology here.
There are minimal physical inputs to the system, but it is capital intensive since large capital outlay is required to buy specialized equipment, maintenance, training of labour etc. It’s also a commercial farming system, farmers invest in them both for local and export markets; technical know-how is a must, for example, for hydrophonics computers are used to monitor; it is labour-intensive because of the training of lab technicians, scientists, chemists and farm-hands; it uses farming technologiy to increase yields; it has high output and market value because the so-called hygenic (usually pesticide-free) conditions appeal to all health-conscious people out there who don't mind paying more; it is dependent on research and development. Like growing temperate vegetables in a tropical climate, or genetic engineering developing disease-resistant plants with nice colours, or transgenic animals.
It’s a knowledge-based agricultural system not determined by the kinds of output but by the process.
Source: Yahoo Answers
There are minimal physical inputs to the system, but it is capital intensive since large capital outlay is required to buy specialized equipment, maintenance, training of labour etc. It’s also a commercial farming system, farmers invest in them both for local and export markets; technical know-how is a must, for example, for hydrophonics computers are used to monitor; it is labour-intensive because of the training of lab technicians, scientists, chemists and farm-hands; it uses farming technologiy to increase yields; it has high output and market value because the so-called hygenic (usually pesticide-free) conditions appeal to all health-conscious people out there who don't mind paying more; it is dependent on research and development. Like growing temperate vegetables in a tropical climate, or genetic engineering developing disease-resistant plants with nice colours, or transgenic animals.
It’s a knowledge-based agricultural system not determined by the kinds of output but by the process.
Source: Yahoo Answers
Reflection
The blog creation posed several problems such as the placing of codes for the pictures. We were mostly unable to provide a date where both of us were able to be online both at the same time to do our work so we had to take time after school to complete most of our finding and be able to put them together.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Facts about Farming
Irrigation is an artificial application of water to the soil. It is usually used to assist in growing crops in dry areas and during periods of inadequate rainfall.
Agricultural use of water accounts for nearly 70% of the water used throughout the world, and the majority of this water is used for irrigation.
There are several different systems that are used for irrigation purposes, including ditch irrigation, terracing, overhead irrigation, center pivot irrigation, lateral move irrigation, and drip or trickle irrigation.
Agricultural use of water accounts for nearly 70% of the water used throughout the world, and the majority of this water is used for irrigation.
There are several different systems that are used for irrigation purposes, including ditch irrigation, terracing, overhead irrigation, center pivot irrigation, lateral move irrigation, and drip or trickle irrigation.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)