In this article we will be listing necessary tools required for small scale farming, in farming we have large scale farming and scale farming. Large scale involves large landholding and the use of heavy machineries to cultivate and carry out farm works.
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Small farming, also known as small-scale farming or family farming, is a type of agriculture that involves small landholding by individual farmers or families. Small farmers use tools and machinery to cultivate their land, sow seeds, and harvest crops. These tools and machines are essential to small farmers because they help increase efficiency, reduce labor costs, and improve productivity.
Let’s say Jimmy is a farmer and perhaps has a small capital that he wants to invest in farming, in this process is not advisable to take a loan, just start small, study the process involved in farming, and this entails small-scale farming.
Without wasting much of your time we will be listing necessary machineries that can help you as a small scale farmer to implement in your farming experience and also for maxi productivity.
- Hand Tools
Hand tools are the most basic and essential tools for small-scale farming. These include shovels, hoes, spades, rakes, and hand trowels. These tools are used for digging, tilling, weeding, and cultivating the soil. Hand tools are usually made of steel, and their size and shape may vary depending on the task. They are lightweight, easy to use, and require little maintenance.
Common hand tools are inclusive of sickles, hoes, cutlass etc.
Sickles are used majorly by rice farmers, it has a kind of sickle shape, and farmers here in Africa use it to cultivate/harvest grains.
Hoes are small hand tools that are used for digging up the soil and for making ridges, cultivating crops like Cassava, Yam etc. require making of ridges, especially to avoid animals uprooting what you sow and for better placement of organics, Hoe is a great tool for small scale farming.
Cutlass: is used for weeding and clearing of surface for planting.
- Tractors
This might not be affordable for a small scale farmer, perhaps it can be rented.
Tractors are a type of agricultural machinery that is commonly used in small-scale farming. Tractors come in various sizes and designs, ranging from small garden tractors to large farm tractors. Tractors are used for plowing, tilling, planting, and harvesting. They can also be used for pulling carts, wagons, and other farm equipment. Tractors are powered by diesel or gasoline engines and require regular maintenance.
- Cultivators
Cultivators are farm machines that are used to prepare the soil for planting. They are usually pulled behind tractors or hand-operated. Cultivators have tines or blades that are used to break up soil, remove weeds, and create furrows for planting. Cultivators are ideal for small-scale farming because they are lightweight, easy to operate, and require little maintenance.
- Seed Drills
Seed drills are machines that are used for planting seeds in the soil. They are attached to tractors and use a series of rotating disks to create furrows and plant seeds at the correct depth and spacing. Seed drills are essential for small-scale farming because they ensure even distribution of seeds and reduce the amount of labor required for planting.
- Irrigation Systems
Irrigation systems are essential tools for small-scale farming, particularly in areas where rainfall is limited or irregular. Irrigation systems provide a reliable source of water for crops, increasing yields and improving crop quality. There are various types of irrigation systems, including drip irrigation, sprinkler irrigation, and flood irrigation. Small-scale farmers can use manual or automated irrigation systems, depending on their needs and budget.
- Harvesting Tools
Harvesting tools are used for gathering crops from the fields. These include sickles, scythes, and harvesting knives. Small-scale farmers can also use machines such as combine harvesters or threshers to speed up the harvesting process. These machines are ideal for larger farms, but may be too expensive for small-scale farmers.
- Livestock Equipment
Small-scale farmers who raise livestock will require equipment such as milking machines, shearing machines, and livestock trailers. Milking machines are used for milking cows, while shearing machines are used for shearing sheep. Livestock trailers are used for transporting livestock from one location to another.
Small-scale farming requires a range of tools and machinery to be efficient and productive. These tools and machines can be costly, but they are essential for the success of small-scale farming operations. Small-scale farmers need to carefully consider their needs and budget when selecting tools and machinery for their farm. They should also ensure that they are properly trained in the use and maintenance of these tools and machines to maximize their benefits.
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