Agricultural Tools
- Plough: It is typically made of wood and is drawn by two bulls. Since ancient times, it has been used for tiling, stirring the soil, and applying fertilisers. A plough shaft, which is a long wooden log, is used to construct it. It is equipped with a ploughshare, which is a powerful triangular iron strip. The other end is attached to a beam, which is then wrapped around the bull’s neck. Iron ploughs, however, have replaced wooden ploughs, and it is now drawn by tractors.
- Hoe: Hoes have been used for cultivation since ancient times. It is made of a long wooden rod that is pulled by the animals. It is dragged by animals and is used to loosen the soil and remove weeds. Furthermore, it has a strong, broad, bent iron plate that serves as a blade.
- Traditional tools: The traditional seed-sowing tool is shaped like a funnel. The funnel is full of seeds. The seeds are fed through two or three sharp-ended pipes. These ends are inserted into the soil, where the seeds are planted. Farmers use traditional agricultural implements such as a sickle, spade, and axe. It is a time-consuming and labour-intensive agricultural practice.
- Seed drill: This is used for planting seeds. It is assisted by tractors and ensures that the seeds are sown evenly and are properly covered with soil. It promotes plant growth by ensuring that they receive the maximum amount of sunlight, nutrients, and water from the soil.
- Cultivator: A cultivator is a plough connected to a tractor. This reduces labour and saves time. It agitates the soil surrounding the growing crop to promote growth and weed control.
- Indian Agricultural implements market: The Indian agricultural tools market is expected to be worth nearly US$ 10.4 billion in 2020. India has made significant advances in agricultural equipment over the last few decades. During the time of independence, Indian farmers used animal-drawn equipment (such as bullock-drawn ploughs and wooden planks) and hand tools (such as spades, pick axes, crowbars, sickles, and choppers) for pulverisation, compaction, and smoothening.
Agricultural Implements and Tools
Crops are plants that are grown and harvested by farmers for profit or subsistence. Crops are essential for the survival of both animals and humans. Agriculture is the branch of science that deals with the study of crop cultivation and cattle rearing. Crops are harvested and used as food for humans or fodder for livestock. Grains, vegetables, and fruits are examples of crops. It also includes macroscopic fungi such as mushrooms and algae. Crops are also classified by season in developing countries such as India. Monsoon and winter are the two sowing seasons.