Top 10 Old Farming Tools in India Still Used by Farmers Today

India, a land deeply rooted in agriculture, showcases a fascinating blend of traditional practices and modern innovations. While tractors and harvesters are increasingly common, many farmers across the country still rely on time-tested “old farming tools in India” that have been passed down through generations. These tools, often simple yet incredibly effective, are a testament to the ingenuity and resourcefulness of Indian farmers. Let’s explore the top 10 such tools that continue to play a vital role in Indian agriculture today, along with their key advantages.

1. Plough (Hal) – The Backbone of Cultivation

• The plough, or hal as it’s commonly known, is arguably the most fundamental “old farming tool in India”.
• Traditionally made of wood with an iron tip, it’s primarily used for tilling the soil, preparing it for sowing seeds.
• While tractor-mounted ploughs are gaining popularity, especially in larger farms, the bullock-drawn plough remains a staple for small and marginal farmers due to its affordability and suitability for smaller landholdings.
• Did you know? In many parts of India, owning a well-maintained hal and a pair of bullocks is still considered a significant asset for a farming family.
• The design of the plough varies regionally, adapted to the specific soil types and crops grown.

Advantages of the Plough (Hal):

• Cost-effective: Significantly cheaper than tractor-mounted ploughs, making it accessible to small and marginal farmers.
• Suitable for small landholdings: Its size and manoeuvrability are ideal for working in smaller and fragmented fields.
• Animal-powered: Reduces reliance on expensive fuel and machinery, utilising readily available animal power.
• Soil aeration: Effectively loosens the topsoil, improving aeration and water infiltration.
• Weed control: Helps in burying weeds and their seeds, reducing weed competition.

2. Sickle (Danti/Hansiya) – The Harvesting Hero

• The sickle, or danti or hansiya, is a curved, hand-held blade used for harvesting crops like wheat, rice, and fodder.
• Its simple design and efficiency in close-quarter harvesting make it indispensable, especially in fields where mechanisation is difficult or uneconomical.
• Highlight: The sickle allows for selective harvesting, ensuring only ripe crops are cut, which is crucial for maintaining quality.
• Farm labourers, particularly women, are highly skilled in using the sickle for efficient and quick harvesting.

Advantages of the Sickle (Danti/Hansiya):

• Selective harvesting: Allows farmers to harvest only the mature crops, improving yield quality.
• Suitable for lodged crops: Can efficiently harvest crops that have fallen over, which is difficult for machinery.
• Low cost: A very affordable tool with minimal maintenance requirements.
• No fuel required: Relies on manual labour, making it environmentally friendly and cost-effective in terms of energy.
• Precision: Enables harvesting in small or irregularly shaped fields and around obstacles.

3. Hoe (Khurpi) – The Versatile Weeding Tool

• The hoe, known by various names like khurpi or phawda, is a multi-purpose tool used for weeding, loosening soil, and making small furrows for planting.
• It typically consists of a metal blade attached to a long wooden handle.
• Different types of hoes exist, each designed for specific tasks and soil conditions.
• Real Business Example: Many small-scale vegetable farmers in states like Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh rely heavily on the hoe for inter-row weeding in their fields, reducing the need for expensive herbicides.

Advantages of the Hoe (Khurpi):

• Effective weed control: Manually removes weeds, reducing competition for nutrients and water.
• Soil loosening: Helps in breaking up crusted soil, improving aeration and water absorption.
• Making furrows: Useful for creating small channels for planting seeds or irrigation.
• Affordable: A relatively inexpensive tool that is accessible to all farmers.
• Versatile: Can be used for various tasks beyond just weeding.

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4. Axe (Kulhari/Balli) – Clearing and Cutting

• The axe, or kulhari or balli, is an essential tool for clearing bushes, felling small trees, and chopping firewood on the farm.
• While not directly involved in cultivation, it plays a crucial role in land preparation and managing farm resources.
• Different sizes and shapes of axes are used for varying tasks.

Advantages of the Axe (Kulhari/Balli):

• Land clearing: Essential for preparing new land for cultivation.
• Resource management: Used for obtaining firewood and managing small trees on the farm.
• Durable: A sturdy tool that can last for a long time with proper maintenance.
• No operational costs: Relies on manual labour.
• Versatile: Useful for various cutting and chopping tasks around the farm.

5. Winnowing Basket (Soop) – Separating Grain from Chaff

• The winnowing basket, or soop, is a traditional flat basket used to separate grains from chaff after harvesting.
• Farmers skillfully toss the mixture of grain and chaff into the air, allowing the wind to carry away the lighter chaff while the heavier grains fall back into the basket.  
• Highlight: This natural and eco-friendly method of grain cleaning is still widely practised, especially after manual harvesting.

Advantages of the Winnowing Basket (Soop):

• Cost-free operation: Utilises natural wind power for separation.
• Environmentally friendly: No energy consumption or waste generation.
• Effective for small quantities: Ideal for cleaning grains harvested from smaller farms.
• Simple to use and maintain: Requires no special skills or complex maintenance.
• Preserves grain quality: Gentle method that minimises damage to the grains.

6. Seed Drill (Chonga) – Traditional Sowing

• While modern seed drills are common, a simpler, older version called chonga is still used in some regions.
• It typically consists of a funnel-shaped container attached to a plough. Seeds are dropped manually into the funnel as the plough creates furrows, ensuring relatively even spacing.
• This method is more efficient than broadcasting seeds by hand and helps in better germination.

Advantages of the Seed Drill (Chonga):

• Improved seed spacing: Leads to better plant growth and resource utilisation compared to broadcasting.
• Increased germination rates: Placing seeds at a consistent depth improves germination.
• Reduced seed wastage: More targeted sowing compared to manual scattering.
• Cost-effective: A simple and affordable alternative to modern seed drills.
• Animal-powered (when attached to a plough): Reduces reliance on machinery.

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7. Leveller (Patela) – Smoothing the Soil

• The leveller, or plough, is a heavy wooden plank or log dragged across the field to level the soil after ploughing.
• This helps in uniform irrigation and prevents waterlogging.
• It is often pulled by bullocks or sometimes even tractors in its more modern form.

Advantages of the Leveller (Patela):

• Uniform irrigation: Ensures even distribution of water across the field.
• Prevents waterlogging: Creates a smooth surface that facilitates drainage.
• Improved seed-soil contact: Leads to better germination and seedling establishment.
• Cost-effective: A simple implement that can be made from locally available materials.
• Reduces soil erosion: A level surface minimises water runoff and soil loss.

8. Bullock Cart (Bailgadi) – The Farm’s Transportation

• The bullock cart, or bailgadi, is a traditional mode of transportation for farmers to carry their produce to the market, transport farm inputs, and even for personal travel in rural areas.
• While motorised vehicles are becoming more prevalent, the bullock cart remains a cost-effective and readily available means of transport for many smallholder farmers.
• Statistics: Even today, a significant percentage of rural transportation in India relies on animal-drawn carts.

Advantages of the Bullock Cart (Bailgadi):

• Low operational cost: No fuel expenses, relying on animal power.
• Suitable for rural roads: Can navigate narrow and uneven village roads.
• Locally available: Can be constructed and maintained using local resources and skills.
• Environmentally friendly: No emissions.
• Versatile: Used for transporting various goods and people.

9. Water Wheel (Rahat) – Ancient Irrigation

• The water wheel, or rahat, is an ancient irrigation device used to lift water from wells or rivers.
• Driven by animal power (usually bullocks), it consists of a series of pots or buckets attached to a large wheel that scoops up water and empties it into channels for irrigation.
• While largely replaced by pumps, traditional rahats can still be found in some parts of India, especially where electricity is scarce or expensive.

Advantages of the Water Wheel (Rahat):

• Utilises renewable energy: Powered by animal labour, reducing reliance on electricity or fuel.
• Suitable for areas with limited power infrastructure: A viable option in remote regions.
• Relatively low maintenance: Simple mechanical design.
• Sustainable water lifting: Can be adapted to the water source and irrigation needs.
• Traditional knowledge: Farmers have generations of expertise in operating and maintaining it.

ALSO READ – Precision Farming in India: Technology, Benefits & Market Potential

10. Pestle and Mortar (Okhli aur Musal) – Processing Grains

• While not directly used in the field, the pestle and mortar, or okhli aur musal, is a traditional tool used on the farm for de-husking grains, grinding spices, and preparing other food items.
• It represents the self-sufficiency of many farming households.

Advantages of the Pestle and Mortar (Okhli aur Musal):

• Cost-effective: No energy costs and made from readily available materials.
• Preserves nutritional value: Grinding by hand can retain more nutrients compared to some industrial processes.
• Provides control over the process: Allows for desired consistency and texture.
• Simple to use and maintain: Requires no special skills or complex upkeep.
• Promotes self-sufficiency: Enables farmers to process their own food.

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Conclusion

These “old farming tools in India” are more than just implements; they represent a rich agricultural heritage and the enduring spirit of Indian farmers. Their continued use highlights their practicality, affordability, and adaptability to the diverse agricultural landscapes of India. The added advantages of each tool further underscore their value, especially for small and marginal farmers. While modernisation is inevitable, these traditional tools, with their unique benefits, will likely continue to play a significant role in Indian agriculture for years to come, serving as a crucial link to the past and a reminder of the sustainable and resourceful practices that have sustained Indian agriculture for centuries.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1 . Why are old farming tools still used in India?

• Affordability: Significantly cheaper than modern machinery.
• Suitability for small farms: Ideal for smaller and fragmented landholdings.
• Accessibility: Don’t require electricity or expensive fuel.
• Maintenance: Easier and cheaper to maintain and repair.
• Traditional knowledge: Generations of experience in its effective use.

2 . Are these old tools as efficient as modern machinery?

• Modern machinery is generally faster for large-scale operations.
• Traditional tools can be more efficient and suitable for specific tasks like selective harvesting or uneven terrains.

3 . What is the government doing to support farmers using traditional tools?

• Government schemes often prioritise modern machinery subsidies.
• However, initiatives promoting sustainable agriculture and traditional practices indirectly support these tools.
• Skill development programs may include training on both modern and traditional tools.

4 . Are there any innovations being made to these old farming tools?

• Efforts exist to improve their efficiency and ergonomics using modern materials while keeping them affordable.

5 . How do these tools contribute to sustainable agriculture?

• Reliance on animal power and manual labour reduces fossil fuel dependence.
• Practices like manual weeding reduce the need for chemical herbicides.

6 . What is the role of animal power in Indian agriculture today?

• Animal power (mainly bullocks) remains crucial for ploughing, transportation, and traditional irrigation, especially for small farmers.

7 . Which Indian states still have a high prevalence of these old farming tools?

• States with a large number of small and marginal farmers, such as Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Odisha, and parts of South India.

8 . How does the use of these tools impact the livelihood of farm labourers?

• Tools like the sickle and hoe provide significant employment opportunities during peak agricultural seasons.

9 . Are there any cultural significances associated with these farming tools?

• Many tools are deeply embedded in rural culture, featuring in traditions, festivals, and folklore, often signifying agricultural heritage.

10 . Where can one learn more about traditional Indian farming practices and tools?

Agricultural universities, rural development organisations, agricultural museums, and online resources from agricultural research institutions.