Core agricultural hand tools and functions
- Khurpa (Hand hoe / trowel): Short-handled flat steel blade used for precision inter-row weeding, thinning, and shallow soil loosening in vegetables.
- Sickle / Daranti: Serrated or smooth curved blade for manual harvesting of cereal crops (wheat, paddy) and green cattle fodder.
- Spade / Phawrah / Kudal: Heavy flat or pointed digging hoe for excavating irrigation channels, field bunding, and basal manure mixing.
- Pruning secateurs and loppers: Spring-loaded bypass shears for orchard canopy management, suckering, and deadwood pruning.
- Wheelbarrows and hand carts: Single-wheel or two-wheel steel barrows for transporting compost, harvested produce, and farm inputs.
Material standards and ergonomic design
Select tools forged from high-carbon tempered steel that hold sharp cutting edges and resist bending under heavy impact. Modern ergonomic designs feature lightweight hollow steel or seasoned hardwood handles with shock-absorbing rubber grips that reduce wrist strain and lower-back musculoskeletal injuries during long farm shifts.
Sharpening, rust prevention and tool maintenance
- Clean mud and crop sap off metal blades after every workday; dry thoroughly before storing.
- Hone cutting edges regularly using an oilstone or hand file to maintain clean slicing cuts.
- Apply a thin film of used engine oil or anti-corrosion grease on metal surfaces during the off-season to prevent rust.
- Store tools in dry, wall-mounted tool racks inside the farm shed away from rain and damp ground.
Official source
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Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanization (SMAM) ↗Related on KisanPe
- Farm equipment →
- Tractor subsidy guide →
- Crop protection guide →
- Custom hiring centres →
- Subsidy calculator →
- Farming Instruments: Complete Cultivation Guide for Indian Farmers →
- Smart Farming Technologies and Precision Agriculture in India →
- Farming tools names and uses: traditional and modern implements →
Common questions
What is the difference between a serrated sickle and a smooth sickle?
A serrated sickle features tiny saw-like teeth that saw cleanly through dry fibrous cereal stalks like wheat, while a smooth sickle is preferred for green succulent grass.
Why is regular sharpening essential for pruning secateurs?
Sharp blades make clean, smooth cuts that heal quickly; dull shears crush plant vascular stems, allowing fungal and bacterial infections to enter.
How can farmers prevent hand tools from rusting during the monsoon?
Clean off soil after use, dry the steel, and wipe a light coat of mineral oil or grease on the metal surfaces before storing.
General guidance, not personal advice. For your farm, ask your local Krishi Vigyan Kendra or agriculture officer.
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