Material Handling
Material handling refers to the equipment and techniques used to move, store and process agricultural materials. This includes handling equipment such as conveyors, elevators and forklifts, as well as storage systems like silos and bins. Material handling plays a crucial role in ensuring the efficient and safe handling of agricultural materials such as grains, seeds and fertilizers, from production to storage to distribution.
Storage
Engineers design storage methods and facilities to preserve and protect crops and other agricultural produce from spoilage and damage. These solutions include storage structures, climate control and ventilation systems, pest control systems, moisture monitoring and control systems, packaging materials and material handling equipment. Effective storage solutions are essential to ensure food security and the sustainability of the agricultural industry.
Processing
Processing of agricultural materials refers to the various methods and techniques used to transform raw agricultural products into intermediate or final products. These processes can include cleaning, sorting, grading, milling, drying and other operations that alter the physical, chemical or biological properties of agricultural materials to achieve desired characteristics for storage, transportation or consumption.
Value Added
Value-added refers to the process of enhancing the value of agricultural materials by processing or transforming them into higher-value products. This process could include improving their quality, developing new products or optimizing production processes. The goal of value-added processing is to create new economic opportunities for farmers and rural communities.
Physcial Properties
The physical properties of agricultural materials make them highly suitable for use in a wide range of engineering applications. Agricultural materials such as straw, bamboo and flax have high strength-to-weight ratios, making them ideal for load-bearing applications. They can also be engineered to have high stiffness and good thermal insulation properties, making them suitable for structural applications.
