History of Agriculture – Equipments – Farm Implements – Agricultural Machinery

Tractor Agriculture will explain an important topic which covers the whole domain of this website. The topic is called What is Agriculture. Before jumping into other topics, it is important that i should explain this broad topic thoroughly.

I thought about writing this article before even https://www.tractoragriculture.com/ came into existence.

So, here I am in a position today to complete this article.

The word Agriculture is derived from Latin Word agricultura where ager means field and culture means cultivation. Agriculture in the past few decades has been a measure of increase in productivity and lesser labour requirements.

Some issues also affect the progress depending upon country. 

The study of Agriculture is called Agricultural Science. Most of the Agriculture work was done by labour in the Ancient times. In the Industrial Revolution, the work done by labor was replaced by Agricultural Equipments. The major change in Agriculture Equipments occurred during the last century and has made remarkable improvements in the overall scenario.

What is Agriculture?

It is a Broad term and is also called as Farming or Husbandry. It is a process which includes cultivation of Plants, Animals, Organisms, any kind of Foods or Products that play role in sustaining Human Race. Agriculture has played a key role in the advancement of human civilization.

History of Agriculture

History of Agriculture is an important event and has played an important in mankind’s progress. These activities have been the determining factor in the past and are in fact the reasons behind a nation’s progress. Researchers have showcased different types of theories based on their observations.

The transition of Man from Stone Age Hunter to Domesticating Animals can be seen in the ancient observations. With the advancement of time, people started devising new techniques in their livelihood and new inventions came into picture. The different hypotheses in Agriculture that define this transition are summarized below.

1. Oasis Hypothesis: This theory states that as the climate became drier, different communities came closer and animals were domesticated along with plantation activities. There is not much climatic proof regarding this theory.
2. The Feasting theory states that agriculture was initiated by using power in bulk i.e. uniting large volumes of food resulting in advancement in technology.
3. The Demographic Theory stated that people living in a particular geographical area requiring more food resulted in advancement. Different factors like social, economical create the drive for advancement.
4. The Evolutionary Theory tells that it was an evolution in itself. Starting from domestication of animals, plants etc.
5. The Levantine Theory remarked the preference variable i.e. some areas were well advanced than others and much suitable for domestication of animals, plants.
6. The Domestication Theory tells that humans domesticated themselves and then animals, plants.

There is another theory which states that human race were afraid if living in one particular area due to attacks from others.

Agriculture has seen vast improvements in the different eras of history.

Tracing the exact origin can be a bit confusing as the Agriculture began in the era when writing was not yet a part of human lifestyle. Some archaeological sites in the West Asia and Africa show signs of wild plantations. Some rivers showcase signs of planned cultivation too.

The signs of sowing and harvesting were seen by 7000 BC in Mesopotamia and by 8000 BC Farming became regular process in the shores of Nile River. Recent signs have shown Farming started early in Greece, Cyprus & most parts of Europe.

Agriculture Equipment – Farm Implements – Agricultural Machinery

Agriculture Equipments are the utilities or Agricultural Machinery which supports the Farming Process. The most common Agricultural Machine can be a Tractor.

You can see below different Agriculture Parts/Equipments divided according to their Agricultural Sub Domain.

1.  Tractor

A Tractor is an Agricultural Equipment which produces huge power at slow speeds & is vital component in Irrigation Supplies. Best Farm Tractors in the World are generally used for Agriculture. This machine is the linchpin of Agricultural tasks and works wonders in all farming activities.

2. Soil Cultivation Machinery

The major Agriculture equipments in this domain are listed below.

A)Cultivator

This is one of the different types of Farm Equipment used for the purpose of Tillage. Power Tiller is good example of a Cultivator.

B) Cultipacker

This Agriculture tool removes the stones from the soil & ensures apt seed to seed connection. Basically, it settles the soil around the seeds.

C)Chisel Plow

The Chisel Plow is basic tool that is used for deep tillage i.e. better prepared land for cultivation. Plough basically loosens the soil & allows the air to enter inside. This pushes the Crop Residue on the top of the soil.

D)Harrow

This is used to smoothen or ease out the outer surface of the soil. Plough is used for deep penetration but Harrow smoothens the left over rough areas. Different types of Harrows are:

• Disc Harrow
• Tine Harrow
• Chain Harrow
• Chain Disk Harrows

E)  Plow/Plough

Plow is also called as Plough. It is used for initial process of sowing the seeds into the soil. It loosens the soil & makes it suitable for planting seeds. According to the variety of soil, there exists different types of Ploughs.

F)  Subsoiler

It is also called as Mole plough. Subsoiler is mounted equipment attached to the Tractor for the purpose of loosening the soil. It helps to overcome the Soil Compaction problem.

G)Rotator

This is another very important tool in Agriculture.

H)Roller

This is an Agricultural Tool used after the process of Ploughing. Their purpose is to break the bunch of soil after ploughing.

I)  Strip Till

This Agriculture machine is used for purpose of minimum tillage. The Tillage done with this tool requires special equipment. 

3. Planting Utilities 

The main Agriculture tools in this field are listed below.

A)Broadcast Seeder

It is also called as Broadcast Spreader. The basic purpose is to spread the seeds & is used as an alternative tool to Drop Seeders too.

B)Planter

This is an Agricultural Equipment connected behind the Tractor. The purpose is to sow the crops into the field. Drawbar or Three point Hitches are used to connect this tool with the Tractor.

C)Plastic Mulch Layer

Another important Agricultural Tool.

D)Potato Planter

As the name suggests, this Farm Implement is used to sow potato seeds into the field.

E)  Seed Drill

This is Sowing Equipment & is used to sow the seeds exactly on right positions in the soil. Before Seed Drill, seeds were planted into the soil through hands & it resulted in poor division of seeds.

F)  Air Seeder

G)Precision Drill

H) Transplanter

This Agriculture Machine is used for efficient Transplantation of Seedlings into the field. As a result, it reduced the time compared to Manual Transplantation & provides more time for Harvesting.

4. Fertilizing & Pest Control Tools

A) Fertilizer Spreader

The functioning of Fertilizer Spreader is similar to Broadcast Seeder. Manual Spreader is used to manage the soil fertility.

B) Terragator

This is used to provide protective nutrients to the field.

C) Liquid Manure Spreader

This Agriculture tool is also called Honey Wagon & its basic purpose is to distribute manure all over the field.

D)Sprayer

As the name implies, it is used to spray liquid on to the crops. This tool is used to spray pesticides, fertilizers & all types of preventive liquid to the crops.

E)  Slurry Agitator

This is important Agriculture Machine & is used to perform tough tasks.

5. Irrigation Equipments

A) Center Pivot Irrigation

This is kind of Sprinkler Irrigation in which several parts of a pipe are joined together & moves in circular motion. Water comes from center pivot.

B) Drip Irrigation

It is also called as localized irrigation. It saves wastage of water & fertilizers by using narrow tubes for the purpose of watering the crops.

C) Hydroponics

This is a unique way of growing plants & is a subject of Hydroculture. Plants are gown in the water using Mineral Nutrient Solutions. 

6. Harvesting Equipments

Harvesting is an important process in Agriculture. Different types of Harvester Machines are used in this stage of Agriculture. You can see some of the common Farm Implements used in Harvesting below.

• Baler

This is important Farm Machinery or Utility and cut the crop into bales which is safe & easier to transport or even store for longer periods.

• Beet Harvester

This Equipment is used to get ripened beets from the field. It is connected behind a Tractor & involves different Farming Parts to work together.

• Beet Cleaner Loader

An Agricultural Equipment used in the Cleaning Process.

• Bean Harvester

It is also known as Bean Combine or Thresher. This Farm Machine is used to harvest beans.

• Sugarcane Harvester

It is also known as Cane Harvester. This Machine is used to harvest sugarcane.

• Cart

It is a basic transport vehicle having 2 wheels & generally pulled by a person or animals. The animals used can be Horses, Buffaloes or Donkeys.

• Carrot Harvester

This Agriculture Equipment is used for Harvesting Carrots. These Harvesters can be Top Lifters or Share Lifters.

• Chaser Bin

This Equipment is also called as Grain Cart. This is used for the Transportation of Harvested Grains to faraway places through roads.

• Combine Harvester

The Combine Harvester is used for the Harvesting of Grain Crops. The whole process involves combination of Reaping, Threshing & Winnowing. These machines reduce the labor overheads.

•  Conveyor Belt

This technology is also used in escalators. It is the transfer medium for Conveyor Belt Systems.

• Corn Harvester

This Agriculture Equipment is used on the Farms for Harvesting Corn.

• Cotton Picker

This Agriculture Equipment improves the Cotton Harvesting process by reducing the time & increasing the efficiency level.

• Cradle

This tool is used to Reap the Grains & is also called as grain Cradle.

• Fanning Mill
• Farm Truck

These are four wheeled trucks & are used for Transportation i urban or rural areas.

• Flail

This Agriculture Utility is used in the Threshing Process. The basic purpose is to separate the Grains from their Husks.

• Forage Harvester

It is also called as Silage Harvester or Chopper. This Farm Machinery gets the Silage from Forage Plants.

• Gleaner

They are the manufacturers of Combine Harvesters & based in America.

• Grain Cleaner

This Farm Implement removes dust, bee wings & other unwanted material from the Grains.

• Grain Dryer

Grain Drying is an important part of Agriculture & involves drying of Grains to prevent damage while Grain is stored in godowns.

•  Grape Harvester

The purpose of this tool is to Harvest wine or juice from Grapes efficiently.

•  Gravity Wagon

This Agriculture utility is to carry out the unloading process.

• Haulm Topper

This Agriculture Machine is used to cut Stems of Potato before Harvesting. They can be mounted in the rear or at the front too.

• Haulout Transporter
• Mower

This machine is used for cutting any unwanted Grass or Plants on field or grounds.

• Potato Spinner

This machine is also called Digger. The connection to Tractor is done using Three Point System. This tool is becoming obsolete due to the introduction of new Harvesting techniques in Agriculture.

• Rake

This tool is kind of Broom & is used to collect unwanted leaves, hay or to loosen the soil in Gardening with its sharp edges.

• Reaper

This Agriculture Equipment reaps the Crops during Harvesting at a stage when crop is fully ripe. Reaper Binder is improved version of Reaper.

• Rice Huller

This Agriculture Equipment is also called as Rice Husker. The work of removing Husk from Rice Grains is managed by this tool.

• Scythe

This tool is used by hands and is used for reaping crops or mowing grass. It is still being used in most parts of Europe, Asia.

• Sickle

This is another Agriculture Equipment used by hands. Sickle has sharp edged blades & generally used for Harvesting Grain Crops.

Stripper

This Harvesting Equipment used to be popular in Australia.

• Swather

This Farm Machine is also known as Windrower. Small Grain Crops are converted into a Windrow by Swather.

• Winnower

This tool separates Grain from Chaff. The process involves separating Heavier Grains from Lighter Chaff using Air as a medium. This Agriculture Method is called Winnowing.

7. Hay Making Equipments

A)Bale Mover

B)Bale Wrapper

This is Farm Implement or Utility that is used wrap bales in plastic & convert them finally into Silage.

C)Conditioner

This machine is used to crimp & crush hay to facilitate drying process.

D)Hayfork

A Farming Tool used by Farmers to move the hay with their hands.

E)  Hay Rake

This Agricultural Tool is used to collect the hay so that it can be used later. It helps to save the hay from the dew also.

F)  Tedder

Tedder is used in the Haymaking process.

G)Bale Lifter

This Agriculture Machine is used to carry hay or bales.

Loading Equipments

A) Backhoe

This Farming Implement is also called Rear Actor. Backhoe Loader is similar to Tractor & has Backhoe at one side. You can dig soil, rocks or do any relevant tasks.

B) Front End Loader

This machine has different names like Pay loader, Skip Loader and Wheel Loader. It is heavy equipment that is used to clear roads, demolition, clearing snow, sand etc.

C) Skid Steer Loader

9. Milking Equipments

A) Bulk Tank

Bulk Tank is used for safe storage of Milk at cool temperatures. This is important utility in Dairy Farming.

B) Milking Machine

These machines are used to harvest milk directly from cows. These machines are used when manual milking is not an alternative.

C) Milking Pipeline

This Dairy Farming tool is used to transfer milk directly to a Bulk Tank from Animals.

Green Revolution in Agriculture

 Green Revolution is the name given to the advancement, research, inventions, Agricultural Equipments Progress that happened between the year 1940 & later part of 1960. The Father of Green Revolution is called Normal Borlaug. The focus was on high yielding cereal grain varieties, modernizing Agriculture/Irrigation support system.

The delivery of synthetic fertilizers & pesticides was also major part of this revolution. This Agriculture Revolution saved billions of people from starvation in many countries of Asia & Africa.

Conclusion:

Agriculture is in itself binds the evolution of Mankind in different eras. Right from ancient times to Modern times, Agriculture Products have undergone vast improvements for the betterment of human civilization. The farming methods have changed a lot from early man stage to modern era.

The Progress of Agriculture is vital for social & economic advancement of all countries. Let’s learn new & Innovative Techniques to further refine the Agricultural Progress Wave.We at Tractor Agriculture will leave no stone unturned to provide a single knowledge resource for all Farming/Agricultural Products.
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