India is the sector’s largest agricultural land country in the world. So, to have such a great position in the farming industry, crops are needed to be grown at such a rate by the farmers.
But, there is also another part of farming where farmers use some methods to harvest the crops. This is also an important part of farming.
There are many ways to harvest crops when it’s grown to the perfect stage. Harvesting crops at the perfect time can make more high chances of good quality crops sold in the market for better income.
So, here we are to tell you about the importance, different stages and meaning of harvesting for farming and crops.
What is harvesting?
In simple terms when the crop reaches a certain level of maturity, then they are ready for the other process where farmers pick out these crops, which are prepared for the markets. This is called harvesting.
Farmers always use different strategies to harvest, including cutting, digging, picking, laying, etc.
Why is it important?
Harvesting increases crop yield and creates fewer chances of crop losses. crop Harvesting is mainly done after the crop has reached a certain desired level of maturity, “ready to take it out in the market”.
Sometimes the economic situation becomes more important than considering the maturity of the crops. Because harvesting is always dependent on the market, the farmers must be sure of the need to make their harvesting profitable.
Different ways of harvesting
There are different ways of harvesting that the farmers use. Not all forms need all the big equipment to harvest the crops.
Manual harvesting
This type of harvesting can be guessed by its name, ‘manual harvesting’. It mainly means harvesting with your hands without using any tools. This type of harvesting requires a lot of attention as there are no tools.
It takes time with a large amount of human labour, depending upon the size of harvesting cropland. Moreover, this type of harvesting is done with delicate crops such as saffron, vanilla beans, several fruits, vegetables and leafy crops.
Hand-held tools harvesting.
This harvesting is much the same as manual harvesting, but there is a slight difference. There is the involvement of different hand-held tools invented specially for harvesting crops.
These tools are a pyramid double-edge sickle, fruit harvest blade with nylon net, Concorde flora 5 seaters, curved pyramid knife and straight blade cutter with D-handle.
Machinery harvesting
This type of harvesting is mainly done by farmers operating over large cropland. Machinery harvesting requires a large size of modern machines, which helps in not only harvesting the crops but also washing and packing them, which saves some of the most valuable time for the farmers.
Farmers often use movers, combines, tractor-trailers, and other popular machines. These harvesting costs are high compared to different ways. The machinery can cost a fortune depending upon the machine size and your farm requirements.
Machinery harvesting can save you a lot of time compared to other ways. However, this harvesting method is mainly used for major crops grown at a larger pace.
Stages of Harvesting
Some set principles are needed to be followed during the farm.
Reaping
It is the process of cutting down the panicles and straws that are usually grown above the ground. This is done to make the crops ready for harvesting. Earlier it was done by hand, but today, a special machine can be used for this process.
Threshing
Threshing is the separation of food products or edible parts from crops such as paddy, wheat, etc. The next step is bringing the edible part near the final product stage. This is mainly done by hand, but there are machines that could help you save time.
Cleaning
The cleaning process is an important part of harvesting as this process involves the farmer cleaning the crop from the unwanted pieces that come with them from the farm. This requires a lot of time as this needs to be done with high concentration if done manually. However, there are machines which can help you out with this process.
Hauling
Hauling is the last step that is taken in the process of harvesting. In this step, you take your main product of harvesting out of your farm through a tractor trailer attached to your tractor.
Field Drying
Field drying is an optional step as in this step, the crops are left on the field to be exposed to the sun to get dried. This can help you with grain loss from grass. This step is a fully optional one and a manual one.
Stacking/pilling
This step is taken to stack the cultivated crop in a place to get it ready for packing in the bags.
Bagging
In this one of the last steps, the produced crop is kept in the bags and made ready for transportation to the marketplace or any storage house.
Conclusion
Harvesting has always been a most important part of farming as this process breathes the production of foods which is essential for everyone and the nation’s food security. Modernisation in the farming sector has opened many doors for farmers to boost their productivity and generate more revenue. Thus it creates food security in the market.
