What is meant by tilling or ploughing?

Tilling or ploughing is the agricultural process of loosening and turning the soil before sowing seeds. It is the first and most important step in soil preparation for farming. By breaking and loosening the soil, farmers create better conditions for crop growth.

Why tilling or ploughing is done

Tilling makes the soil porous, aerated, and soft, which helps plant roots to grow deeply and absorb water and nutrients more effectively. It also helps in mixing organic matter, fertilizers, and manure into the soil, making it fertile.

Tools used in tilling and ploughing

Traditionally, farmers use a plough made of wood or iron, which is either pulled by animals like oxen or attached to tractors. Modern methods use advanced machines such as cultivators and rotavators, which make the process faster and more efficient.

Benefits of tilling or ploughing

• Loosens the soil and improves soil aeration.
• Helps in better germination of seeds.
• Increases water-holding capacity of soil.
• Exposes weeds, pests, and their eggs to sunlight, reducing their number.
• Mixes nutrients and organic matter evenly in the soil, improving soil fertility.

Tilling (ploughing) is the process of turning and loosening the soil to prepare it for sowing seeds. It improves aeration, fertility, and moisture retention, making it an essential step in modern and traditional farming practices.