Agricultural Implements

Introduction

In the farming and agricultural sectors, the tools used to streamline the process are referred to as agricultural implements. To create a productive and helpful environment, agricultural operations today require a different range of tools, such as drills, diggers, furrows, sickles, and so on. Without the use of the implements that are supposed to finish these processes, the current situation in agriculture demonstrates development. In this tutorial, we’ll discuss agricultural equipment and how they affect the farming and agricultural industries.

What is Agriculture?

Agriculture is the activity of growing crops and rearing animals that supports human sedentary behavior and the growth of sustenance. It may be involved in the production, processing, and distribution of agricultural products. For most rural communities, it serves as their primary source of income. In metropolitan regions, individuals are provided with vegetables and grains for food.

Significance of Agriculture

• The majority of the world’s food supply comes from agriculture, which also guarantees the population’s access to food and nourishment. 
• Since agriculture contributes over 20% of GDP (Gross Domestic Product), it is regarded as the main source of income for the nation. 
• A large number of people have employment opportunities in agriculture. 
• It plays a significant part in the export of significant goods on a global scale and in balancing a nation’s crucial expenditures while preserving its foreign currency. 
• Additionally, it generates fibers, raw materials, and biofuels.
• Utilizing the production and selling of agricultural goods eliminates poverty in rural regions. 
• Selling the by-products of raising animals brings considerable profit for farmers.

What are Agricultural Implements?

Agriculture implements and farming equipment are tools or pieces of machinery used to complete tasks quickly. These are used in agriculture to lessen physical labor and increase crop output. Early farmers developed their own labor and time-intensive tools, which were difficult to use. After modernization, cutting-edge processes and tools have taken the place of outdated ones.

To make work easier, a variety of agricultural implements are used in agriculture. The following is a list of important agricultural tools: 

• Planting tools 
• Harvesting equipment
• Irrigation equipment
• Tools for cultivating soil

Types of Agricultural Implements

Farmers employ a variety of agricultural instruments to increase crop yield. It includes the following:

Soil cultivation implements

• The cultivation of the soil is a crucial stage because it enables crop roots to enter the soil and absorb nutrients and water. 
• Soil preparation is done with basic equipment like a hoe, a plow, and cultivators. 
• The land is plowed and made ready for cultivation with the use of spike, drag, and disc harrows.

Irrigation machines

It is made up of a pump that draws water from the bottom and a pivot irrigation system that supplies the crops with the right amount of water.

Planting machines

• The plant is protected from animals and birds attack by the use of a seed drill, which provides a deep and proper area for planting. 
• It enables the plants to receive enough sunlight, nutrients, and water. 
• After crop cultivation, a large area is seeded using tools including air seeders, broadcast seeders, transplanting implements, and more.

Harvesting implements

• Cutting fully developed and ripe crops is the procedure of harvesting. 
• Crops are harvested using harvesting equipment like pickers, trailers, and diggers.

Division of Crops

The agricultural process develops food grains for human consumption and utilizes their raw materials for industrial use. Crops are cultivated according to the type of soil and weather conditions. There are three major divisions of crops. 

Kharif crop

• In the monsoon season, the seedlings of crops begin to grow and are harvested in the autumn.
• A warm climate and excess water are necessary for its growth.

Rabi crop

• In humid conditions, seeds germinate and develop well, and crops grow well. 

Zaid crop

• During the period between Kharif and Rabi, the Zaid crop develops.
• For blooming flowers, warm, dry weather is required for crop growth.

Type of crop	Season	Examples
Kharif crop	September to October	Millets. maize, rice, soybean, cotton
Rabi crop	October to December and April to May	Barley, oats, mustard, wheat, peas
Zaid crop	March to June	Watermelon, cucumber, muskmelon, pumpkin, pulses

Categories of Crops

Depending on their use, crops can be classified into two types.

• Food crops: Food crops are mainly grown for human and animal consumption. There are several major food crops, such as vegetables, oilseeds such as sunflower, groundnut, sesame, and cereals like paddy, wheat, and fruits.
• Cash crops: Crops that are grown to generate income rather than for domestic consumption are called cash crops. Rubber, tea, coffee, jute, spices like mustard, chili, turmeric, garlic, coriander, and some medicinal crops are some of the most important cash crops.

Summary

Agriculture implements and farming equipment are tools or pieces of machinery used to complete tasks quickly. Farmers employ a variety of agricultural instruments to increase crop yield.  The agricultural process develops food grains for human consumption and utilizes their raw materials for industrial use. Depending on their use, crops can be classified into two types such as food crops and cash crops.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How does agriculture have such a big impact on a nation?
Ans. A nation’s economy is based on agriculture because it provides food, is a source of commercial products, creates employment, and eliminates poverty. More than half of the population solely depends on agriculture for a living.

2. Why are outdated agricultural equipment and practises replaced?
Ans. In addition to hand-made tools, traditional techniques are tedious and time-consuming. Therefore, advanced techniques and equipment are used to increase crop production quickly. 

3. What farming tools are used to get the soil ready for cultivation?
Ans. Disc harrows, drags, and hoes are agricultural implements used to plow the soil, allowing roots to penetrate the ground and absorb moisture and nutrients more easily.

4. What kinds of crops are grown during the monsoon and summer seasons?
Ans. Kharif crops are produced in the monsoon season of September and October. Zaid crops are produced in the summer season, from March to June. Rabi crops are also produced in the summer, from April to May.

5. What are the main tools used in agriculture?
Ans. Machines for planting, harvesting, irrigating, and cultivating the soil are the most important agricultural implements. The use of these is widespread in organic farming and commercial agriculture.