AGRICULTURAL CROP SEED SOWING MACHINE

MARK JEYRICK L. PALARUAN

JETSON C. DELIZO

MICHAEL JUMAR C. LAIGO

ROI VINCENT N. ORODIO

PATRICIA EVITTE V. PANEDA

DON MARIANO MARCOS MEMORIAL STATE UNIVERSITY

MID - LA UNION CAMPUS

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, LA UNION

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

 DATE

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

The completion of this research work took a lot of time, effort, support,

guidance, and inspiration of the following individuals without whom this project would

not have been realized.

The researchers therefore would like to express their heartfelt appreciation and

sincere gratitude to those who have been instrumental in the realization of this study.

To Engr. Pablo M. Medriano, Jr., their adviser for his assistance and

intelligent guidance and direction throughout the development and completion of this

study.
 To Engr. Eric C. Aquino, Engr. Redentor C. Maines, Engr. Russell A.

Rimando, Dr. Hartwell Merza, their panel members and research coordinator, for their

assistance, comments and constructive suggestions.

To their loving parents, brothers and sisters, and other relatives for their

concerns, sacrifices, moral support and fervent prayers for their success.

And above all to Almighty God, the Greatest Author, for His spiritual help

without which this work would not have been possible.

DEDICATION

This research proposal is the culmination of immense diligence and sacrifice. We owe

our deepest gratitude to our beloved parents for their unwavering love and support—

moral, spiritual, emotional, and financial. This work is a heartfelt tribute to them. We also

extend our thanks to our adviser for their tireless guidance throughout this process.
 We are grateful to Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University-Mid La Union

Campus, as well as the dedicated teachers and staff, for their invaluable advice during

this journey.

Lastly, we express our profound gratitude to Our Almighty God for His protection,

guidance, strength, and the blessings of health and intellect.

 Chapter 1

INTRODUCTION

Situation Analysis

Today’s era is marching towards rapid growth in agricultural sector. Crop

planting refers to placing seeds in the soil, broadcasting seeds on the field surface or

transporting seedlings in the soil, under optimum soil temperature and moisture

conditions. To get high yields, the right amount of seeds should be placed at the right

time at a predetermined depth and spacing in the soil. Usually, the depth of sowing

depends upon the moisture availability and seed emergence capacity. The spacing

between the seeds is governed by the plant growth and their distribution per unit area.

However, the space requirement of a plant is so adjusted between the rows that the

subsequent use of inter culturing implements is made possible for the crops. In general,

the larger seeds are sown at comparatively greater depth and the plants need wider

spacings. The number of seed that needs to be sowed per unit area depends on the size of

the seed, the germination rate, the amount of cover at maturity, and whether or not grain

or fodder will be harvested from the plant. Under ideal rainfall circumstances, the
majority of crops are sown on flat ground. The sowing is done in furrows or on ridges

when rainfall is either too low or too high. The promptness of field activities, particularly

seeding operations, has been highlighted as a crucial element in enhancing the intensity

of cropping in places where human labor and draught animals are the main sources of

agricultural power. A seed sowing machine is a tool that assists farmers in saving time

and money by helping to spread seeds in the desired location. The primary goal of a

sowing operation is to arrange the seeds in rows at the correct depth and seed-to-seed

spacing, cover the seeds with soil, and apply the proper compaction over the seeds. In

order for the agriculture business to proceed towards mechanization, the research

addresses many features of seed sowing machines. Traditional methods include

broadcasting manually, opening furrows by a country plough and dropping seeds by hand

and dropping seeds in the furrow through a bamboo/metal funnel attached to a country

plough. For sowing in small areas dibbling i.e., making holes or slits by a stick or tool

and dropping seeds by hand, is practiced [1].

Agriculture is an important sector of the economy, in order to produce food, it

takes a lot of processes using dedicated machines. One such machine is the ploughing

machine. Its construction has changed over the centuries and now newer models are big

and adjustable to suit its functionality. There have been increased interest in the

utilization of mechanized farming tools with low cost so that more and more farmers can

get access to these farming implements that will ease the stress of labor of manual

farming and also reduce the time spent in manual labor. Farm operations such as
ploughing, harrowing, fertilizer application, sowing and weeding have been done

manually over the ages, there is need for improved hand tools which will facilitate farm

work by reducing the stress of labor and also reducing the time spent. Prior to the

modern-day mechanization, oxen have been used to pull a cart and other modified farm

implements like ploughs and ridgers. farmers have to use various agriculture equipment

and labor for carrying out those steps, our purpose is to reduce time taking to achieve the

desired result while making ridges by using the ridger. This also aims at reducing the

human effort. Human effort to wet the soil through irrigation is also simplified by

creating channels with a ridger to allow water movement on the soil to be made easily

[2].

Agricultural production is not only fundamental to improving nutrition, but is

also the main source of income for many. Increases in crop production are key to ending

hunger, as well as economic and social development. Global crop production has changed

dramatically in recent decades. The amount of food we grow has increased rapidly as a

result of two drivers: the amount of land we use for agriculture has expanded, but the

largest driver has been a rapid rise in crop yields. Agricultural production has also

become much more international. Historically, food production was localized

everywhere: farmers produced food for their families or communities. Even when food

trade became more widespread, it was mostly limited to domestic markets. Now, large

amounts of food are traded internationally. This has made diets across the world much

more diverse, and can also provide an important source of income (from ‘cash crops’) for

farmers. This is particularly true in lower-income countries [3].

 Global crop production growth will mainly be driven by increased productivity

rather than increased land use. Therefore, investments in raising yields and improved

farm management are essential. Assuming continued progress in plant breeding and a

transition to more intensive production systems. There are several reasons for that and

among the most crucial ones are the rapid growth of the world population and therefore

the urgent need to broaden food production and supply chains [4].

The latest edition of the “State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World”

report, released in July 2023, paints a concerning picture. It reveals that around 691 to

783 million people faced hunger in 2022. This staggering number represents a 122

million increase compared to 2019, highlighting a worrying trend of rising food

insecurity across the globe. At that rate, 2030 would see over 840 million people

suffering from undernourishment, and 2 billion by 2050. The increased input costs,

volatility, and lack of agricultural equipment are one of the main challenges that

agriculture faces today. Soaring input costs from fertilizer and fuel to seeds and

machinery, the price of essential resources is skyrocketing, putting immense pressure on

farmers and threatening food security worldwide. The cost of seeds and agricultural

machinery has climbed due to increased production and transportation costs, wages for

agricultural workers are rising, driven by factors like inflation and competition for skilled

labor. The harsh reality for many agricultural producers today, as volatility has become a

major challenge plaguing the sector. This unpredictable nature of prices makes it difficult

for farmers to plan their budgets, invest in their operations, and secure loans. When prices

plummet, farmers are at the mercy of buyers who can dictate lower purchase prices,
squeezing their profit margins and potentially pushing them into debt. Lack of agricultural

equipment and shipment issues pose a major threat to global food production. Shortages of

semiconductors, steel, and other materials have led to production slowdowns and empty

shelves at agricultural equipment dealerships. Farmers struggle to find essential machinery

like tractors, harvesters, and irrigation systems, delaying planting and harvesting

schedules. Even when equipment is available, skyrocketing prices due to increased

demand and supply chain disruptions put a strain on farmers‘ budgets, making it harder for

them to invest in new machinery and maintain existing equipment [5].

The Philippines is primarily an agricultural country with a large portion of

Filipinos living in rural areas and supporting themselves through agricultural activities.

Agriculture plays a significant role in the Philippine economy. Involving about 40

percent of Filipino workers, it contributes an average of 20 percent to the Gross Domestic

Product. This output comes mainly from agribusiness, which in turn accounts for about

70 percent of the total agricultural output.

According to the UN, the world‘s population is projected to reach a staggering

9.7 billion by 2050, nearly 2 billion more than today. This rapid growth presents a

monumental challenge for agriculture: producing enough food to nourish everyone

sustainably. The harsh reality for many agricultural producers today, as volatility has

become a major challenge plaguing the sector. Prices of agricultural commodities like

corn, soybeans, and wheat can fluctuate wildly, often due to factors beyond a farmer’s
control, such as weather events, geopolitical tensions, and global trade disruptions. This

unpredictable nature of prices makes it difficult for farmers to plan their budgets, invest

in their operations, and secure loans;

The global population is growing at an alarming rate, and the agricultural sector

must undergo significant changes to meet the increasing demand for food. Smallholder

farmers are among the key players who can help achieve global food security. According

to the World Economic Forum, approximately 600 million smallholder farmers work on

less than two hectares of land and are estimated to contribute 28%-31% to total crop

production and 30%-34% to the food supply on 24% of the gross agricultural area.

Today, the rate of use of agricultural machinery is still below that which is considered

necessary to meet the rising demand for food (Mrema, 2011). This is due to a lack of

knowledge by farmers about suitable equipment and a lack of skills in operating such

equipment (FAO, 2010).

It has been estimated that a mechanized farmer can provide enough food to feed

up to fifty people whereas by using draught animal power alone a farmer can only feed

about six others. (Clarke, 2008). Finding solutions to environmental problems in

agriculture requires improved agricultural tools and machinery, particularly in soil tillage

and seed planting. The reliance on conventional and crude tools instead of modern

machinery in the farming process necessary to feed the world’s growing population is not

acceptable. There are numerous benefits associated with introducing mechanized

farming. According to FAO (Clarke, 1997), the term “Agricultural mechanization”

generally refers to the application of tools, implements, and powered machinery as inputs

to achieve agricultural production. Through machinery and technology, farmers can

automate or enhance agricultural processes, including planting, harvesting, and post-

harvest handling. With machines, farmers experience increased efficiency in farming.

Machines can plant seeds much faster than manual labor, allowing farmers to cover larger

areas in a shorter time, thus improving productivity and reducing labor costs.

Additionally, precision seeders ensure that seeds are planted at the correct depth and

spacing, maximizing germination rates and crop yields. As farmers adopt machinery, the

need for manual labor decreases, addressing issues of labor scarcity and high labor costs.

Moreover, one of the significant benefits of machinery in agriculture is enhanced

sustainability. Mechanized planting techniques can improve soil health and promote more

efficient use of resources. For example, precision seeders ensure that seeds are planted at

the optimal depth and spacing, maximizing germination rates while minimizing seed

waste. This efficiency not only leads to better crop yields but also reduces the need for

chemical fertilizers, as crops can access nutrients more effectively.

One of the most important steps in agricultural practices is planting seeds. Seed is

a primordial input for crop production, and it is the embodiment of past harvests as well

as the promise of future ones (Tripp, 1995). Seeds are the foundation of human and

animal life on earth. The foods we eat, the fibers in the clothes we wear, and most of the

products we use in our daily lives are created from seeds-from corn, cotton, and canola to
wheat, barley, and soybean, to vegetables, flax, and flowers. The foods we eat, the fibers

in the clothes we wear, and most of the products we use in our daily lives are created

from seeds-from corn, cotton, and canola to wheat, barley, and soybean, to vegetables,

flax, and flowers. Seeds are considered the most valuable resource for farmers. Seeds

form the foundation of all agriculture. Without seeds there is no season’s crop. One major

threat to crop production worldwide are the weeds which causing substantial yield losses

and impacting farmers' livelihoods. They compete with crops for resources like water,

nutrients, and sunlight, leading to reduced crop quality and quantity. Weeds can out

compete crops for essential resources, leading to stunted growth, reduced yield, and

lower quality produce also they can contaminate crops, making them unsuitable for

consumption or sale, further decreasing farmers’ income. As a result, farmers often resort

to expensive and environmentally harmful herbicides to control weeds, adding to the cost

of production.

According to the study of Urrutia et al. (2018), 32% of Filipino workers worked

in agriculture-related industries in 2013. In the Philippines, traditional agricultural

methods have been practiced for a long time. The country has a large labor force, and

manual planting is common in rural areas. However, this method can be challenging to

implement on a larger scale. In the manual approach, soil is prepared by digging, and

seeds are planted by hand. This process requires specialized labor, as each hole must be

made to the correct depth for the specific seed being used. Several challenges and

problems currently affect Philippine agriculture, including moderate increases in total

factor productivity and factors of production. It requires more manpower to finish the
task within a stipulated time which is poses a lot of challenges such as Labor Scarcity

where the aging population and the increasing migration of Filipinos to urban areas and

overseas for better employment opportunities have created a labor shortage in rural areas.

This makes it difficult for farmers to find enough workers, especially during peak

planting seasons. Another factor was the High Labor Costs, hiring manual labor is

expensive, particularly when large-scale operations are needed. This can significantly

impact farmers’ profitability, especially when competing with mechanized farms. Also

manual planting is time-consuming, especially for large areas. This can delay planting

schedules, potentially affecting crop yields and market opportunities. Additionally , there

is a higher wastage when planting by hand.

Traditional agricultural practices, often passed down through generations, have

played a crucial role in shaping human civilization. However, as the world faces growing

challenges in food security, environmental sustainability, and economic development, the

limitations of traditional methods become increasingly apparent. One of the most

significant drawbacks of traditional agriculture is its generally lower yield compared to

modern, industrialized farming. This is primarily due to the reliance on manual labor,

limited access to advanced technologies, and less efficient resource utilization.

Traditional farming often involves extensive land clearing and monoculture practices,

which can lead to soil degradation and nutrient depletion. According to Dr. K.

Senthilkumar, Alex George Paul, Amudhan. A, Chanthu. V, and Ibrahim Sheriff,

traditional methods often fail to utilize the full potential of land and resources, resulting

in less efficient production. This can be a critical limitation, especially in regions with
high food demand and limited arable land. Traditional methods are highly vulnerable to

climate change, which can affect the timing and success of planting and harvesting

cycles, leading to reduced crop yields and food insecurity (Ratnesh Kumar, Aadhar

Govil, Parth Daga, Shubh Goel, Saurabh Dewangan). While traditional agricultural

practices have sustained human societies for centuries, they are increasingly facing

challenges in the modern world. The disadvantages of traditional agriculture, including

lower yields, vulnerability to climate change, labor-intensive practices, and limited

market access, have significant social, economic, and environmental consequences. As

the global population continues to grow and resource scarcity becomes more acute, it is

essential to explore and adopt sustainable agricultural practices that can address these

challenges and ensure food security for all.

These challenges have led to a growing need for mechanization in Philippine

agriculture. Through machinery and technology farmers can automate or enhance

agricultural processes, including planting, harvesting, and post-harvest handling. With

machines, farmers gain a lot of benefits such as increased efficiency on farming.

Machines can plant seeds much faster than manual labor, allowing farmers to cover larger

areas in a shorter time. This improves productivity and reduces labor costs. They can also

improve on seed placement as precision seeders ensure that seeds are planted at the

correct depth and spacing, maximizing germination rates and crop yields. Since farmers

are using machines then the need for manual labor will also reduce which solves the

problem on labor scarcity and high labor costs. Also one of the important benefit of

machinery on agriculture is the enhanced sustainability where some agricultural

machinery, like seeders with integrated weed cutters, can reduce herbicide use, promoting

sustainable farming practices.

Based on the summary on the event of ADB Institute on Mechanization of Small-

Scale Farms in Asia: Current Status, Impacts, and Future Prospects, agricultural

mechanization is a crucial input for agri-food production because it can substitute human

physical power and improve farm performance. Without mechanization, farmers would

struggle to emerge from subsistence production. Thus, there is a great need to promote

agricultural mechanization level to boost sustainable agricultural development. Prior

evidence has revealed that agricultural mechanization increases farm productivity and

efficiency and facilitates rural non-farm employment. In addition to economic impacts,

agricultural mechanization may also generate other impacts. Mechanization has

detrimental effects on the environmental sustainability of farming and the mechanization

in the Philippines faces its own set of obstacles just like High Initial Investment where

purchasing agricultural machinery can be expensive, making it difficult for smallholder

farmers to afford, Lack of Access to Finance because limited access to credit and

financing options can hinder farmers’ ability to invest in mechanization, Limited

Infrastructure which is very common here in Philippines where poor road conditions and

limited access to electricity in some rural areas can make it difficult to operate and

maintain agricultural machinery, and lastly the Lack of Training and Technical Support.

Farmers may lack the necessary training and technical expertise to operate and maintain

modern agricultural machinery effectively.

 Seed sowing machine is a device that helps in sowing of seeds within the desired

position hence assisting the farmers in saving time and money. A mechanized method of

seeding rather than manual broadcasting saves time, seeds, and cost of cultivation (Sarker

et al., 2019). To give the seeds a suitable soil cover, Roshan et al. (2013). It is necessary

to maintain uniform placement of seeds at proper depth with proper spacing, which is

time and cost-saving especially for intercultural operation (Kachroo and Bazaya, 2011).

Additionally, maintaining proper quantity, distance, depth and in a short period also

increases sowing efficiency and reduces losses of seed and reduces the labor required to a

large scale (Mohanta et al., 2019). Therefore, this project contributes to reducing time

and labor needed for plantations. With less work, this will produce a flawless plantation.

The performance of seed-sowing has a remarkable influence on the cost and yield of

agricultural products. The goal of this project is to create a machine with lower labor

costs and improve seed-planting precision. The model design, fabrication and its

automation have been achieved to overcome the difficulties faced by farmers such as

time wastage, laborious efforts and challenges of achieving regular distance between

rows and consecutive seeds. It can definitely be useful on a large-scale basis due to its

minimum requirement of manpower and also the installation process being easier making

it more compatible for everyone to use. It can be further concluded that metering of the

seed was accurate as per requirement. The workers and the farmers don’t have much

more knowledge about the mechanism action and operation of the larger machinery. So,

we need to focus on the automatic operated machinery. Sowing is the major operation

among all the operations perform while farming this is because the whole production

from the farm is depends on the sowing. seed sowing equipment’s has remarkable
influence in agriculture. By using this innovative project of seed sowing equipment’s we

can save more time required for sowing process and also it reduces lots of labor cost.

This work aims to study the requirements of low-income Indian farmers, the ways

in which agricultural activities, specifically ploughing and seed sowing, can be

optimized, and developing a machine to automate the same. The main criteria here is to

develop the machine at a low cost, so that small farmers would be able to afford it. This

machine is not intended to perform the function or duplicate the versatility of tractors, but

to provide an alternative piece of farm equipment to the farmers that cannot afford

tractors and utilize cattle to cultivate their land.

The present review provides brief information about various types of innovations

done in seed sowing equipment. The basic objective is this operation is to pot seed in

rows at desired and seed to seed spacing, cover the seeds with soil and provide proper

compaction over the seed. In this multipurpose machine consists of cylindrical shape

container in which the seeds can fill. It consists of metering the plate bevel gear

mechanism and two holes at the bottom depending on seed size. Drill sowing and

dribbling (making small holes in the ground for speeds) are a better method of sowing

seeds. Once the seeds are put in the holes, they are then covered with the soil to prevent

the damage of seeds by birds. Another method of sowing seeds is with the help of a

simple device consisting of a bamboo lobe with a funnel on it attached to a plunge

(Ramesh, 2014).
 In this the researchers present an objective of Agricultural Crop Seed Sowing

Machine design. The mechanical factors affect seed germination like uniformity of depth

of placement of the seeds. The help of the diesel engine; power wheel is rotating which

transmit power to the cultivator through the chain and sprocket mechanism. Cam is

mounted on sprocket shafts which gives the power to the cultivator to pulverize the soil.

It comes with larger tire sowing machines often offering greater efficiency due to

their ability to cover more ground quickly and handle rough terrain better, leading to

improved seed placement. However, smaller tire machines excel in maneuverability,

making them ideal for tight spaces or irregular fields. The ultimate choice depends on the

specific farming conditions and operational needs. Using a diesel engine that can deliver

higher torque at lower RPMs, which is beneficial for heavy-duty tasks like sowing in

challenging conditions. That could perform well in cold weather and can handle heavier

loads, making them suitable for various soil types and conditions. Agriculture is a

cornerstone of human civilization, and the methods by which crops are sown have

evolved significantly over the years. Two prevalent types of sowing equipment are

traditional crop seed sowing machines and automatic crop seed sowing machines. Each

serves the fundamental purpose of planting seeds, but they differ in technology,

efficiency, and user engagement. Understanding these differences can help farmers and

agricultural professionals choose the right equipment for their needs. Traditional Crop

Seed Sowing Machines, often referred to as manual or semi-automatic seeders, have been

in use for many decades. These machines are designed to efficiently plant seeds in rows

and are typically operated by the farmer or an assistant. They may include features like

adjustable seed spacing and depth settings, but the user must manually control the
operation to some extent. These machines can vary in complexity, from simple hand-held

devices to more advanced models that require some degree of mechanization. While they

improve upon manual sowing methods, they still rely heavily on human intervention.

Farmers must manage the machine's speed, seed distribution, and other settings, which

can be labor-intensive and time-consuming.

On the other hand, automatic crop seed sowing machines represent a significant

advancement in agricultural technology. These machines are equipped with sophisticated

automation systems that facilitate the entire sowing process. With features such as GPS-

guided navigation, automated seed placement, and real-time monitoring of soil

conditions, automatic sowing machines dramatically enhance planting efficiency. The

primary advantage of automatic machines is their ability to operate with minimal human

intervention. Farmers can input parameters such as seed type, spacing, and depth into a

digital interface, and the machine will autonomously adjust its operations to meet these

specifications. This not only saves time but also ensures greater precision in seed

placement, leading to improved crop yields. the differences between traditional crop seed

sowing machines and automatic crop seed sowing machines reflect the broader

advancements in agricultural technology. While traditional machines provide a reliable

and cost-effective means of planting, automatic machines offer significant improvements

in efficiency, precision, and labor savings. As the agricultural sector continues to evolve,

understanding these differences will empower farmers to make informed decisions that

align with their operational goals and resource availability. Ultimately, the choice of

equipment can greatly impact productivity, sustainability, and the overall success of

farming endeavors.
 Statement of Objectives

This study aimed to construct and develop a Agricultural Crop Seed Sowing

Machine. It specifically desires to accomplish the following purposes.

1. To Design a Agricultural Crop Seed Sowing Machine .

2. To fabricate a Agricultural Crop Seed Sowing Machine r.

 3. To determine the performance of Agricultural Crop Seed Sowing Machine in

terms of:

a. Efficiency

b. Accuracy of interval space between batch seeds

c. Accuracy of the furrow’s depth it produces

 Time and Place of The Study

This study machine, fabricates and enhances an Agricultural Crop Seed Sowing

Machine. The researchers conducted the study entitled Agricultural Crop Seed Sowing

Machine during the First semester and Second Semester of the Academic Year 2024-

2025 at one of the researcher's house in Bauang, La Union.