Agriculture

cultivation method

Farming

Agriculture is the profession of many people around the world, as many depend on it to make a living. It can be simply defined as the process of producing food, fiber, and many other products that humans need. This is done through the cultivation of plants and fruit trees. Agriculture was not limited to traditional methods, but many modern methods appeared in it. Agriculture has an impact on the development of countries’ economies and their prosperity by providing a surplus of agricultural production, which can be converted into the funds needed to purchase industrial equipment, or Providing public services to the state and thus contributing to economic growth. Therefore, countries that seek to develop their economies give great importance to the agricultural sector, and follow modern methods of agriculture and not be limited to traditional methods.

Ancient farming methods

There are many old, traditional agricultural methods that are still used to this day due to the existence of the agricultural profession for thousands of years. However, they have not been dispensed with despite the emergence of new and modern methods and the introduction of new technology in agriculture. Among the old methods that were used in The foot is as follows:

  • Growing furrows: They are paths between piles of soil in which seeds are planted. Furrow cultivation is used to retain water around plants and control the flow of irrigation water. It also works to slow soil erosion and allow rainwater to seep into the soil.
  • Plastic covers: This method of agriculture relies on covering trees and plants with plastic covers or organic mulch to avoid evaporation of irrigation water and maintain soil moisture.
  • Crop rotation: The method of crop rotation has been used since ancient times, and is done by planting more than one type of different agricultural crops on the same area of ​​land, because of its multiple benefits, such as enhancing and supporting the productive capacity of the soil, reducing pests and insects that cause diseases, and reducing the use of chemical pesticides, and this It leads to increasing the efficiency of the crop’s production capacity.
  • Agroforestry: Agroforestry aims to protect agricultural crops from environmental conditions; Such as high temperatures, sunlight, wind, and rain.

Modern farming methods

With the significant population growth during the last half of the twentieth century, the demand for food became increasing; It was necessary to have modern agricultural methods. To meet this growing demand and increase agricultural production capacity; To keep pace with the massive population growth, modern agricultural systems and methods have been developed, and among these methods are the following:

Read also:How to plant pistachios
  • Intensive tillage: Intensive plowing is a method that relies on loosening the soil and not retaining water in it through drainage. This system helps facilitate the process of planting seeds and the rapid growth of plant roots, in addition to getting rid of harmful weeds.
  • Modern irrigation techniques: It is considered one of the most important techniques by which water is provided to agricultural crops, whether in dry areas or areas where the percentage of rainwater is low, which in turn affects the supply of agricultural crops with the water necessary for irrigation, which is one of the important matters that contribute to greatly enhancing access to food supplies. These techniques include making special sprinklers, pumps, drip systems, building tanks, distribution channels, drawing water from ground wells, and diverting river water.
  • Monoculture: It is the cultivation of one variety or type of crop on the same land. This technique is useful in facilitating seed planting, the harvesting process, and in combating harmful weeds.
  • Synthetic fertilizers: It provides the soil with a group of essential plant nutrients that plants need, and they are in controlled quantities that are supplied to the soil on a regular basis, and are used in the form of liquid or pills.
  • Genetic modification: Genetic modification can be defined as combining two or more plant varieties to produce more productive offspring. This is called hybrid seeds.
  • Chemical insect control:Through it, synthetic chemical pesticides are sprayed that, when used properly, help eliminate many agricultural pests that infect plants and lead to their slow growth or death. Such as insects, weeds, or diseases that affect plants.

Things to consider when planting

There are many things that must be followed when farming to make the agricultural process successful and raise the quality of crops, and among these things are the following:

Read also:Soil types and their characteristics
  • the soil: The earth's crust is filled with multiple types of soil, and for the success of any agricultural project and to increase the yield of agricultural crops, this soil must be of medium texture, rich in nutritious organic materials, and well-drained. Such as Physol soil and Molisol soil. Therefore, the soil must be taken care of in order to give a high-quality agricultural crop.
  • Patience in plant growth: This is because plants grow slowly in the first year of their cultivation, but in the second year and beyond, they grow faster.
  • Choosing the right time for planting: It is possible to plant plants at any time of the year, but there are times that are better than others, depending on the climatic conditions and the four seasons.
  • Growing plants the right way: Knowing the correct methods for growing any type of plant plays an important and significant role in the success of agriculture and raising the quality of plant crops.

Old farming tools

The agricultural tools used were simple before the technological revolution, and among these tools were; The simple plow, which consists of a flat, V-shaped piece of iron mounted on wooden handles and blades. Then animal-drawn plows appeared in the first century BC, in addition to the use of the sickle, which is a cutting tool consisting of a blade with a pointed point and a With a handle. As for methods of irrigating agricultural crops, there is more than one method, but the most common of these methods is the pump that is operated by feet.

Read also:How to grow mint at home
Previous
The largest cocoa producing country
Next
Watercress cultivation method