The Backbone of Agricultural Soil Preparation
A plough (or plow in American English) is a farming tool used for loosening or turning the soil before sowing seed or planting crops. It is one of the oldest and most important agricultural implements, dating back to ancient civilizations.
Ploughing has evolved dramatically over millennia:
Different soils and farming needs require different plough designs:
Proper ploughing improves soil structure, enhances water infiltration, controls weeds, and incorporates organic matter. However, excessive or poorly timed ploughing can lead to erosion and loss of soil fertility—modern sustainable practices often reduce tillage frequency.
From rice paddies in Southeast Asia using buffalo-drawn wooden ploughs to vast wheat fields in Canada tilled by GPS-guided tractors, ploughing remains a universal symbol of human cooperation with the land.