Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degreeof Master of Engineering inAgricultural Systems and Engineering, School of Environment, Resources and Development

This study project on theevaluation, examination, status, potentialand significantof farm mechanization and making necessary guidelines leading to sustainability based on a survey of 120 farmers though personal interviews from fourdifferent local government areasinAkwa Ibom State, Nigeria. The study intended to determine the effect of the level of mechanization on yield, cropping intensity and labor use, where different power sources and mechanization levels are utilized. The main sources of farm power found in the area were human labor, draft animals, power tillers and tractors. The productivity of farm households in three farm categories small (<0.5ha), medium (0.5 -2.0ha) and large (>2ha) were also compared. Agricultural mechanization in Akwa Ibom Stateis gradually developing. The main cropping patternin Akwa Ibom Statewas paddy in rainy season followed by maize, cassava, yam. The main sources of farm power in this stateare human labor, animal draft, power tillers and 4-wheel tractors. The average land holding size for 120farmersselectedwithtractor, power tiller and draft animal farms were 2.46, 1.01, and 1.28ha respectively. The yield of paddy in tractor, power tiller, and draft animal farms were 527.93, 498.84, and 494.50kg/ha respectively. The cropping intensity of tractor, power tiller, and animal farms were 200, 198, and 193% respectively. Net family income including other auxiliary incomes was found highest in tractor farms, followed by power tiller and animal farms, 5933, 1135, and 924$US/year. Local government areasbased analysis in all areasshowed potential for tractor use, followed by power tiller adoption while Local government areashaving poor access and small farms still potential for animal power use. The SWOT analysis highlighted the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats concerning crop production in the study area and could highlight and identify the specific needs and locations for improving appropriate level of mechanization, improvements necessary for animal drawn and manual tools and equipment.The potentials of Agricultural Mechanization in Nigeria cannot be over emphasis, in that the government at all levels is focusing on policies that will promote and boost agricultural sector and productivity.Agricultural Mechanization has shown a slight impactwith no significant differenceamong the power source categories and farm size in the aspect of Crop yield, Cropping Intensity and Farm Cost and Income.Keywords: Agricultural Mechanization, Draft Animals, Power Tiller, Tractorization, Yield, Productivity.

Thesis (M. Eng.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2014