FACULTY OF ENGINEERING

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURAL MECHANIZATION AND IRRIGATION ENGINEERING

Industrial training report carried out at the National Semi-Arid resources research institute (NaSARRI) Serere

EBITU LARMBERT REG. NO: BU/UP/2008/203

DECLARATION

I Ebitu Larmbert do declare that this report in its entirety is an original documentation of my industrial training experience at NaSARRI-Serere district and has never before, been submitted to any institution of higher learning for the award of Bachelor of Agricultural Mechanization and Irrigation Engineering or any other academic award. I therefore own and take responsibility over its technical and moral dictates.

Student signature. EBITU LARMBERT

Date .

APPROVAL

This report has been proof read and approved for submission to Busitema University for examination purposes. University supervisors signature.. Eng. Odogola Wilfred

Date.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The completion of an emphatic, conceptual and relevant report such as this could not have been possible without the participation of dedicated and resourceful supervisors that comprise the lot of the Academic staff of the Department of Agricultural mechanization and irrigation Engineering of Busitema University and the technical staff of the National Semi-Arid resources research institute-Serere: individuals with whom I had valuable discussions and to whom I must extend sincere gratitude.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

LIST OF FIGURES

LIST OF TABLES

LIST OF ACRONYMS

ABSTRACT

CHAPTER ONE

1.0

INTRODUCTION

The over ten-week industrial training that resulted in the acquisition of vast industrial experience was conducted at NaSARRI Serere district. Herein this chapter I detail the relevance and objectives first of the training and then the profile of the training station before introducing the major activities of focus of the departments to which I was attached during the training.

1.1

BACKGROUND OF INDUSTRIAL TRAINING PROGRAM

The idea of engineering training is to relate the classroom theory to the industrial practicalities. The training was aimed at providing exposure for students on practical engineering aspects in industry by way of uplifting the knowledge, imparting into them practical professional engineering skills through technical development in dealing with people and readying them for the challenges that await them out in the field.

1.2

OBJECTIVES OF THE INDUSTRIAL TRAINING

The industrial training was intended to achieve the following objectives: That I would acquire enough exposure to practical engineering aspects in industry. That I would develop skills in dealing with people and also develop communication skills of association with various kinds so people. That I would learn how to apply theoretical classroom knowledge to realize tangible user friendly products. That I would get to use and understand by practice the operation of different kinds of machinery The training was planned to introduce me to the world of engineering where the balance between theory and practical work must be well understood and sustained.

1.3

COMPANY PROFILE

1.3.1 BACKGROUND OF THE COMPANY

1.3.2 STRUCTURE AND ORGANIZATIONAL CHART OF COMPANY

1.3.3 MAJOR ACTIVITIES AND FOCUS OF THE DEPARTMENTS ATTACHED

CHAPTER TWO

2.0

INDUSTRIAL TRAINING ASSIGNEMENTS

2.1

TRAINING SCHEDULE

The training scheduled to last ten weeks was conducted for approximately seven hours every weekday starting from 7 am. The training was pre-scheduled by the farm manager who was the supervising officer in such a away that we had to alternate between various sections within the industry with the idea that we would benefit and gain innumerable skills from the experience of working with different individuals under different conditions and with different practical aspects, methods, and tasks.

2.2

TYPES OF ASSIGNMENTS

The assignments involved were many and ranged amongst those that required the design of structures for agronomic convenience such as the shelter for the citrus seed bed, analysis of technical data with the aim of transforming it into practical benefits, the maintenance of different machinery, equipment and tools, and finally the skills-on-hand operation of machinery such as tractors, both power steered and manual operated such as the walking tractor, the use and operation of Ox implements such as the Ox-plough, Ox-cart, weeders and planters and finally the various agronomic practices.

2.3

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

2.3.1 ANIMAL TRACTION 2.3.1.1 Identification of tasks that can be handled by Oxen

First and second ploughing or land opening Weeding of crops planted in rows On-farm transport using ox-cart or sledge Harvesting of crops such as groundnuts (up-rooting)

2.3.1.2 Selection of oxen suitable for ploughing, weeding and transport

Oxen suitable for the above tasks were selected basing on the following characteristics Aged between 2-3 years Have straight back Straight legs Well developed humps to help in supporting the yoke Deep and wide chest Have good eye sight Should have a good sense of hearing Should be alert and respond very first and not docile

2.3.1.3 Harnessing of oxen

The harnessing of oxen was done using the following methods Nose punching This was intended to clam the oxen and make it easy to use. The following are necessary for nose punching: nose punch, Nylon rope, Dettol, ropes for restraining, human labour and basin

 Haulters/braiddal Rewarding the ox after work such as by giving it salt leak Naming the ox Castration

2.3.1.4 Training process for oxen Walking the oxen The oxen were tied with ropes and walked without a yoke a very day for two hours for three days. Introduction of a yoke The oxen were yoked and walked without any load for two hours each day for three days. Introduction of load A load of about 30-60 Kgs was introduced and the oxen made to pull for 2 hours each day for 3 days subsequently increasing the load as the animals get used. Attaching the plough A plough was attached and ploughing starting but with shallow cuts which were also gradually increased.

Tips followed when training oxen Gave oxen simple short names Used simple language Did not punish or beat animals during training Was not rude Trained oxen during morning hours Rewarded the oxen after the training

Tips followed after training oxen Never left oxen to be redundant after the training lest they forgot the instructions Kept oxen well by giving enough food and clean water Kept oxen away from ticks

2.3.1.5 Yoke making There are many types of yokes but the common ones were: ploughing yoke (32) and weeding yoke (52). Others are made according to row-width. Tools for yoke making included: Axe for felling wood, panga for clearing the bark, bow-saw for cutting wood, adze for shaping, spoke shave for smoothing, tape measure for measuring, chisel for making holes and a hammer for hammering. The timber good for yoke making included: Epapai, Emiti, Etiti, Elira, Esilang and eucalyptus. The procedure partly included cutting the wood for yoke making, slightly burning or burying down for about two days or placing in water as a measure of prevention from cracking. 2.3.1.6 Management and health care of oxen Practice of good working practices such as using oxen in the morning, not over working oxen. Feeding: food is the fuel that gives oxen energy to do work so the oxen have to be well fed on soft grass. Giving water: oxen need to be given enough water; dirty water is a source of worms such as tape worm, hook worms and others. Shelter: the shelter for oxen should be clean and tidy and dry and should have a shade to protect the oxen from sun heat, rains and winds. Disease prevention and control: disease is prevented by spraying ticks, tsetse-flies and others, vaccination of oxen once a year against killer diseases such as foot and mouth disease.

2.3.1.7 Isolation of sick animals involved identification of major signs in a sick animal The Ox is reluctant to walk or to work The ox is always on its own and does not want to be with the rest of the animals A sick Ox does not lift up its head when approached and is not interested when called upon. There is loss of appetite in the ox The ox has dull eyes Urine is not clear but colored The skin is dry and the hair is always standing Dung might always have blood stains on it. 2.3.2 PRODUCTION OF IMPROVED CITRUS Identification of citrus varieties and which included: Citrus aurantium sour orange Citrus sinensus sweet orange such was Washington navel, Valencia, Kuno navel Citrus reticulate Mandarin Citrus Paradisi grape fruit such as star ruby, red blush Citrus aurantifolia Mexican lime Citrus latifolia Tahiti lime Citrus limon lemon Poncirus trifoliate Trifoliate orange

2.3.2.1 Sowing/planting seed Seeds were planted in containers but more commonly in seed beds. The soil was made at lease about 30 cm deep, light in texture, uniform and well drained. Since large numbers of seedlings were to be grown, a seed bed was prepared using virgin soil. The selection and procedure of site set-up took to consideration the following: Obtained the right mixture of the nursery media and held the bed by supporting the sides with bricks or wood. Spread it out to make a bed Raised the bed 15cm above the ground so as to allow dense and long root growth and to enhance good drainage in the bed. The width of the bed was limited to one meter. This width enabled easy working on the bed without stepping on the bed.

 A shelter was built above the bed about one meter above the bed to allow light penetration. Also the shelter above the bed was made in such a way that it was wider than the bed below to ensure that seedlings allover the bed would grow under similar conditions. 2.3.2.2 Potting Potting Materials There are various types of materials used for potting depending on the plant species For citrus, the various types of potting materials used for propagation include: Polythene pots Plastic containers Tins, banana fibers However polythene pots with the recommended size of 4 *9 and above were used for the advantages that they: Are less bulky Readily available Portable Procedure The pots were perforated to allow drainage The perforation was not done too close mouth of pots. The perforations were also made below the pots to drain excess water. When filling the pots the following was done: 1-2 inches of space at the top was left unfilled with soil to help during watering The lower pointed corners of the pot were pushed inside the pot to avoid water remaining in the corners and for stability 2.3.2.3 Pricking Seedlings were ready for pricking once they developed two pairs of leaves and a bud Pricking operation The bed was heavily watered the pots were watered before planting the seedlings the most vigorous seedlings of the lot were selected those seedlings that had very long roots had them reduced by cutting off some portion

a hole was created in the pot and the seedling planted no roots were left hanging in the hole soil was then pressed to the roots to create complete contact the pots were watered after planting the seeds

2.3.2.4 Field establishment and management