AEng 152 – AGRICULTURAL STRUCTURES

Laboratory Exercise No.2

Process Flow of an Agricultural Structure

#Team BEAUTY Date Performed: Jan. 29, 2019

Lecture Schedule: TTh 1:00-2:00 Date Submitted: Feb. 6, 2019

I. INTRODUCTION

A flow chart, or flow diagram, is a graphical representation of a process or system that

details the sequencing of steps required to create output. A typical flow chart uses a set of
basic symbols to represent various functions and shows the sequence and interconnection of
functions with lines and arrows. Flow charts can be used to document virtually any type of
business system, from the movement of materials through machinery in a manufacturing
operation to the flow of applicant information through the hiring process in a human resources
department.
Each flow chart is concerned with one particular process or system. It begins with the
input of data or materials into the system and traces all the procedures needed to convert the
input into its final output form. Specialized flow chart symbols show the processes that take
place, the actions that are performed in each step, and the relationship between various steps.
Flow charts may include different levels of detail as needed, from a high-level overview of an
entire system to a detailed diagram of one component process within a larger system. In any
case, the flow chart shows the overall structure of the process or system, traces the flow of
information and work through it, and highlights key processing and decision points.
Flow charts are an important tool for the improvement of processes. By providing a
graphical representation, they help project teams to identify the different elements of a process
and understand the interrelationships among the various steps. Flow charts may also be used
to gather information and data about a process as an aid to decision making or performance
evaluation. Though flow charts are relatively old design tools, they remain popular among
computer programmers working on systems analysis and design. In recent years, many
software programs have been developed to assist business people in creating flow charts.
Constructing a flow chart involves the following main steps: 1) Define the process and
identify the scope of the flow diagram; 2) Identify project team members that are to be involved
in the construction of the process flow diagram; 3) Define the different steps involved in the
 process and the interrelationships between the different steps (all team members should help
develop and agree upon the different steps for the process); 4) Finalize the diagram, involving
other concerned individuals as needed and making any modifications necessary; and 5) Use
the flow diagram and continuously update it as needed.

II. Learning Outcomes

At the end of this Laboratory Exercise, the students should be able to:
1. Determine the different activities done inside their assigned Agricultural Structure;
2. Arrange in order the different activities done inside their structure; and,
3. Illustration the activities using a Process Flow Chart and discuss each portion.

III. Activities Inside the Structure

There are three divisions of activities for a large-scale flowering plant greenhouse.
The divisions are the pre-production, production and post-harvest and proper handling. The
first and last division which are pre-production and post-harvest and proper handling will be
done outside the greenhouse.

1. Pre-Production
 Gathering of planting materials or medium – it is where soil preparation and
propagation or seed procurement will be done. Plant propagation is the process
of growing new plants from a variety of sources: seeds, cutting and other plant
parts.
 Separation of breed or types - right after the procurement, the seeds undergo a
process of separation. Separation of breed and types improves the quality of the
seed and ensure that it is free from defects. The selected seeds are separated or
categorized according to breed to have the best treatment since different breed
has different treatment.
 Checking of quality - acceptable quality seeds are seeds that are free from
defects.
 Planting – the multiplied plants from the propagation area are planted in a
controlled and free from fungus and insects’ soil.
2. Production
 Watering (automated) - the computer-controlled irrigation system will provide
water for the plants.
  Plant management and inspection – the greenhouse has sensors that will detect
pests and generate report. Good maintenance of optimal growing conditions and
control of pest and insects will significantly reduce the incidence of diseases.
Note to Ramel  (insert the system or procedure of plant management/ how it
will works)
 Harvesting - the greenhouse has a system that is constantly monitoring the
growth and age of the flowers. The system will suggest the workers if the age of
the flowers is at its maturity and ready to be harvested. The flowers will be
harvested manually. For the future plans and improvement, the greenhouse will
be implementing mechanical harvester. To adopt that plans, the design of the
greenhouse is set to be ready for mechanization.
3. Post-harvest and proper handling
 Cleaning - after harvesting, the cut flowers will be cleaned manually by removing
all unnecessary parts or material attached to it.
 Sorting and Grading - the cleaned cut flowers will then be sorted and graded
according to its quality and varieties.
 Packaging - the flowers will be packed based on the company’s pricing. Packing
is done inside a cold room to maintain the freshness of the flowers.
 Ready for transport – the greenhouse has transport services to deliver client
orders. The packed flowers are transported in a truck fitted with refrigerator in
cargo section to ensure the continuity of cold chain.

Note: Ramel, basaha ug I check pana ramel kay di ko sure ana. Gi kuha nako na sa inyung
discussion ni victor.  pag add add nalang kay sure ko nga naa kay idea hahhahahaha 
Then about sa life long learning, I check pud na unta na point ang profit, to provide good
harvestable products in a relation gihapon sa flow chart chu chu chu hahaha then to avoid
technical errors.  salamat

IV. Discussion
The process starts with gathering of materials since the first thing to secure before planting is
the seeds and other planting material. Then followed by separation of breeds, plants must be
sorted according to breed since plants specially flowers have different treatment. After
Separation

V. Lifelong learning
 As a future agricultural engineer, learning how to make a flowchart of activities done inside
the agricultural structure is significant to achieve an effective and efficient production. Knowing
the flow of activities can lead to a good profit and it helps to run the agricultural structure at
peak levels. Following the flow of the process in the production will guide the working
personnel to avoid technical problems. Since problems along the way are inevitable,
flowcharts are helpful in tracing back any problems and putting any possible solution for each
step in a flowchart.

VI. References
https://www.inc.com/encyclopedia/flow-charts.html