Overview
This lecture introduces grade seven students to the essential agricultural tools, farm implements, and equipment, focusing on their uses, types, and importance in modern farming practices.
Farm Tools
- Agricultural tools are light, handheld instruments used for various farm tasks.
- Tools are classified as digging, cutting, cultivating, harvesting, carpentry, measuring, and other miscellaneous tools.
- Digging tools (e.g., crowbar, spade, pit mattock) break and loosen soil or remove stones.
- Cutting tools (e.g., bolo, pruning shear, axe) cut weeds, branches, and harvest crops.
- Cultivating tools (e.g., hand trowel, rake, hand fork) prepare soil, control weeds, and enhance plant growth.
- Harvesting tools (e.g., sickle, harvesting knife) enable efficient collection of crops.
- Carpentry tools (e.g., hammer, saw, pliers, chisel) are used for building and repairing farm structures.
- Measuring tools (e.g., weighing scale, meter stick, tape measure) ensure accurate spacing and monitor crop growth.
- Other tools include sprayers, wheelbarrows, crates, seed trays, plant boxes, and pails for tasks like watering, transporting, and seedling care.
Farm Implements
- Implements are usually metal accessories used with animals or machines for land preparation.
- Plows (native or disc) are used for tilling, making furrows, and inter-row cultivation.
- Harrows (wooden or disc) break up and smooth soil after plowing.
- Rotavators are tractor-mounted implements for pulverizing soil.
Farm Equipment
- Equipment includes machines that perform heavy or specialized tasks.
- Hand tractors and four-wheel tractors pull plows and harrows for land preparation.
- Water pumps irrigate fields by drawing water from a source.
- Axial threshers and combined harvesters automate harvesting, threshing, and cleaning of crops.
- Seeders plant corn and rice seeds efficiently.
- Corn dehuskers and rice millers process harvested grains.
Importance and Best Practices
- Using the correct tool or equipment increases efficiency, improves safety, and supports sustainable farming.
- Proper maintenance and understanding usage reduce accidents and equipment wear.
- Staying updated with technological advancements helps optimize resources and adapt to new challenges.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Agricultural Tools — Hand tools used for basic farm activities (e.g., digging, cutting, cultivating).
- Farm Implements — Attachments for animals or machines aiding in land preparation.
- Farm Equipment — Larger machines for planting, irrigating, harvesting, and processing crops.
- Digging Tools — Tools for breaking and turning soil.
- Cutting Tools — Tools for cutting plants or materials.
- Cultivating Tools — Tools for preparing and aerating soil, controlling weeds.
- Harvesting Tools — Tools for gathering crops.
- Carpentry Tools — Tools for building and repairing farm structures.
- Measuring Tools — Devices for taking accurate measurements in the field.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Complete graphic organizers listing your initial ideas about farm tools, implements, and equipment.
- Review names and uses of the major tools and equipment covered.
- Prepare for a quiz on definitions and tool identification.