Indigenous Tools

Indigenous Tools

INDIGENOUS FARM TOOLS

INTRODUCTION
Indian farmers have been pursuing intensive as well as extensive agriculture after the green revolution in the sixties. For all farm operations, the farmers are encouraged to adopt improved machinery. Usually the agricultural machinery in India are manufactured by village artisans (including carpenter and blacksmith), tiny, units, small scale industries and organized medium and large scale industries. Traditional hand tools and bullock drawn implements are by and large fabricated by village craftsman. The organized sector has confined itself to sophisticated machinery such as tractors, engines, rice mills, oils mills, flour mills.

Tamil Nadu is also a treasure house for indigenous knowledge in agriculture and allied areas. This has been proved by innumerable indigenous knowledge available in the form of beliefs and proverbs which were also reported by literature.
Indigenous knowledge (IK) refers to the unique, traditional, local knowledge existing within and developed around the specific conditions of women and men indigenous to a particular geographic area. The development of IK systems, covering all aspects of life, including management of natural resources has been a matter of survival to the people who generated these systems. It is based on experience, often tested over centuries of use, adapted to local culture, environment and dynamics. Other names for indigenous knowledge (or closely related concepts) are 'local knowledge', 'indigenous technical knowledge', 'traditional knowledge' and 'traditional ecological' knowledge.

The survey has been conducted in the ICAR-N ATP-PSR-58 project to bring out the indigenously fabricated implements and tools used by agricultural labourers of sugarcane based production system; These tools would be a ready reckoner to know the intelligence of age old farmers. About 75 indigenous farm tools used by agricultural labourers of Erode district of Tamil Nadu in the crops viz: sugarcane, turmeric, paddy, groundnut and gingelly were documented as follows.

A.SUGARCANE	38.Chinna koodai
1. Karumbu paathi podum kalappai	39.Makkiri koodai
2. Karumbu karanai vetti	40.Manjal anda
3. Sarkkarai theikkum mutti	41. Kalai kothu
4. Sarkkarai theikkum uravarai	D. GROUNDNUT
5. Karumbu vetti	42. Kalai kothu
6. Vettarival	43. Kara chatty
7. Sammatti	44. Irumbu potti
8. Sarkkarai Sorandi	45. Saani koodai
9. Mara sorandi	46. Salladai
10. Salladai	E. GINGELLY
11. Bagotti kattai	47. Paathi podum kalappni
2. Sakkai thalli	48. Arival:
13. Saambal karandi	F. MISCELLANEOUS
14. Sakkai thallum kawai	49. Kadapparai
15. Stand	50. Ulakkai
16. Juice edukkum drum	51. Chekku
17. Sakkai parappi	52.Aattukkal
18. Sakkai vadikatti	53.Vai potti
19. Irumbu bucket	54.Thattu narukki
20. Periya kopparai	55. Irumbu muram
21. Chinna kopparai	56. Mungil muram
22. Vella achu	57. Kodari
23. Karumbu thogai vetti	58. Mammatfy kothu
B . PADDY	59. Thali
25. Katti udaikkum sammatti	60. Irumbu koduval
26. Parambadi palagai	61. Aariya kal
27. Kai palagai	62. Ammi
28. Pallu palagai	63. Kodappu
29. Koot palagai	64. Suthi
30. Karukkarival	65. Mathu
C. TURMERIC	66. Sarkkarai kachum adappu
31. Manjal oonum kothu	69. Kadai Aani
32. Irumbu kalappai	70. Padi
33. Mammatty	71. Vallam
34. Kalai kothu	72. Sorai
35. Manjal vettum kothu	73. Raathal
36. Manjal vettum kothu	74. Sallai kathi
37. Manjal vettum kothu	G.INDIGENOUS FARM TOOLS PHOTOS

A.SUGARCANE

1. Karumbu paathi podum kalappai

Local / Common Name	:	Karumbu paathi podum kalappai / Sugarcane bund former
Life and cost	:	Average life is 5 years and it costs Rs.500/unit
Dimensions	:	Shaft has a length of 375 cm. Working area is an iron blade of 60 cm height and 7 cm width. Handle is of 80cm.
Material make up	:	Shaft is made up of Acacia sp. wood and working area is made up of iron
Utility and crops	:	It is used for formation of ridges and removal of stubbles in sugarcane field.
Who operates /handles?	:	It is operated by male labourers
Nature of operation	:	It is a bullock drawn implement
Drudgery	:	Nil

2. Karumbu karanai vetti

Local / Common Name	:	Karumbu karanai vetti / Sugarcane sett maker
Life and cost	:	Average life is one year and its costs Rs.l0/unit
Dimensions	:	Working area has 15 cm height and 21/2 cm width. Handle is of 11 cm height and 3cm diameter
Material make up	:	Working area is made up of iron and handle is made up of Acacia sp. wood.
Utility and crops	:	This tool is used in harvesting of paddy and fodder crops and cutting of shrubs
Who operates /handles?	:	It is operated by both male and women labourers
Nature of operation	:	It is operated manually
Drudgery	:	It tears the hands

3. Sarkkarai theikkum mutti

Local / Common Name	:	Sarkkarai theikkum mutti / Swabbing ladle
Life and cost	:	Average life is two years and it costs Rs.l20/unit
Dimensions	:	Length of handle is 15G cm Working area has a length and breadth of 20 cm x 10 cm
Material make up	:	It is made up of Acacia sp. or Albezzia lebbeck wood
Utility and crops	:	It is used for pressing the jaggery
Who operates /handles?	:	It is operated by only male labourers
Nature of operation	:	It is operated manually
Drudgery	:	Shoulder pain and hand pain

4. Sarkkarai theikkum uravarai

Local / Common Name	:	Sarkkarai theikkum uravarai / Stirrer
Life and cost	:	Average life is three years and it costs Rs.50/uni
Dimensions	:	Length of handle is 100 cm. Working area has a length and breadth of 15 cm x 10 cm
Material make up	:	It is made up of Acacia sp..wood
Utility and crops	:	It is used to churn the jaggery during jaggery preparation
Who operates /handles?	:	It is operated by male labourers
Nature of operation	:	It is operated manually
Drudgery	:	Shoulder pain and hand pain

5. Karumbu vetti

Local / Common Name	:	Karumbu vetti / Sugarcane harvester
Life and cost	:	Average life is five years and its costs Rs.60/unit
Dimensions	:	Working area has a length and breadth of 13 cmx 6 cm. Handle is of 35 cm length and 8 cm diameter
Material make up	:	Working area is made up of iron and handle i made up of Acacia sp. wood.
Utility and crops	:	This tool is used in harvesting of sugarcane
Who operates /handles?	:	It is operated by male labourers
Nature of operation	:	It is operated manually
Drudgery	:	Hand pain

6. Vettarival

Local / Common Name		Vettarival / Knif
Life and cost		Average life is 5 years and its costs Rs.l00/unit
Dimensions		Working area has a length and breadth of 24 cm x 4 cm Handle is of 35 cm length and 5 cm width
Material make up		Working area is made up of iron and handle is made up of Acacia sp. wood.
Utility and crops		This tool is used in harvesting of sugarcane, cutting of shrubs and thorns
Who operates /handles?		It is operated by both male and women labourers
Nature of operation		It is operated manually
Drudgery		It tears the hands

7. Sammatti

Local / Common Name		Sammattii / Jaggery remover
Life and cost		Average life is four years and it costs Rs.45/unit
Dimensions		The basal portion has a length and breadth of 30 cm and 15 cm respectively. The handled portion has a length of 90 cm
Material make up		It is made up of Acacia sp. (or) neem wood
Utility and crops		It is used for separating jaggery from the mould
Who operates /handles?		It is operated manually
Nature of operation		It is operated by male and women labourers
Drudgery		Hand pain

8. Sarkkarai Sorandi

Local / Common Name		Sarkkarai sorandi / Iron blade
Life and cost		Average life is 6 years and it costs Rs.50/unit
Dimensions		Working area has a length and breadth of 10 cmx 15 cm Wooden handle is of 120 cm length
Material make up		Handled is made up of Acacia sp. or Albezzia lebbeck wood. Working area is made up of iron blade
Utility and crops		It is used for collecting sugar after preparing jaggery in the boiling pen
Who operates /handles?		It is operated by only male labourers
Nature of operation		It is operated manually
Drudgery		Hand pain

9. Mara sorandi

Local / Common Name	:	Mara sorandi / Wooden jaggery collector
Life and cost	:	Average life is 3 years and it costs Rs.25/unit
Dimensions	:	It has a length and breadth of 40 cm x 20 cm
Material make up	:	It is made up of Acacia sp. wood
Utility and crops	:	It is used for collecting sugar after preparing jaggery in the boiling pen
Who operates /handles?	:	It is operated by only male labourers
Nature of operation	:	It is operated manually
Drudgery	:	Hand pain

10. Salladai

Local / Common Name	:	Salladai / Siever
Life and cost	:	Average life is 2 years and it costs Rs.40/unit
Dimensions	:	Working area has 40 cm diameter and handle portion is of 125 cm length
Material make up	:	It is made up of bamboo slick
Utility and crops	:	It is used for filtering of waste from the sugarcane juice
Who operates /handles?	:	It is operated by male labourers
Nature of operation	:	It is operated manually
Drudgery	:	Nil

11. Bagotti kattai

Local / Common Name	:	Bagotti kattai / Mixer
Life and cost	:	Average life is 1 year and it costs Rs.75/unit
Dimensions	:	Working area has 15 cm height and 15 cm width and the handle is of 165 cm height
Material make up	:	It is made up of neem or kadukkai wood
Utility and crops	:	It is used for mixing the boiling juice while preparing jaggery
Who operates /handles?	:	It is operated by only male labourers
Nature of operation	:	It is operated manually
Drudgery	:	Boils in hand while mixing

2. Sakkai thalli

Local / Common Name	:	Sakkai thalli / Bagasse inserter
Life and cost	:	Average life is three years and its costs Rs.lOO/unit
Dimensions	:	Iron handle is of 90 cm length and basal portion has a diameter of 10 cm
Material make up	:	Made up of iron rod
Utility and crops	:	It is used for pushing bagasse inside the chulah
Who operates /handles?	:	It is operated by only male labourers
Nature of operation	:	It is operated manually
Drudgery	:	Body heat

13. Saambal karandi

Local / Common Name	:	Saambal Karandi / Ash remover
Life and cost	:	Average life is 5 years and it costs Rs. 120/unit
Dimensions	:	Length of handle is 75 cm. working area is of 12 cm length and 10 cm breadth
Material make up	:	Working area is made up of iron
Utility and crops	:	This implement is used in local jaggery unit for pulling out the ash from source of heat
Who operates /handles?	:	It is operated by only male labourers
Nature of operation	:	It is operated manually
Drudgery	:	Body heat

14. Sakkai thallum kawai

Local / Common Name	:	Sakkai thallum kawai / Bagasse inserter
Life and cost	:	Average life is 6 years and it costs Rs.70/unit
Dimensions	:	Length of handle is 200 cm and of 2 cm diameter
Material make up	:	Made up of iron rod
Utility and crops	:	Used for pushing the bagasse inside the chulah
Who operates /handles?	:	It is operated by male labourers
Nature of operation	:	It is operated manually
Drudgery	:	Nil

15. Stand

Local / Common Name	:	Stand
Life and cost	:	Average life is two years and its costs / Rs.60/unit
Dimensions	:	It has a height of 150 cm and breadth of 75 cm
Material make up	:	It is made up of Acacia sp. wood
Utility and crops	:	It is used to keep boiling pan during jaggery preparation
Who operates /handles?	:	It is operated by male labourers
Nature of operation	:	It is operated manually
Drudgery	:	Nil

16. Juice edukkum drum

Local / Common Name	:	Juice edukkum drum / Juice transporter
Life and cost	:	Average life is 5 years and its costs Rs.200/unit
Dimensions	:	It has a height of 150 cm and diameter of 40 cm. Handle portion is of 120 cm length
Material make up	:	It is made up of iron
Utility and crops	:	It is used for transporting of sugarcane juice during jaggery preparation bagasse
Who operates /handles?	:	It is operated by male labourers
Nature of operation	:	It is operated manually
Drudgery	:	Hand pain

17. Sakkai parappi

Local / Common Name	:	Sakkai parabbi / Bagasse spreader
Life and cost	:	Average life is 3 years and its costs Rs.75/unit
Dimensions	:	Working area has 10 cm circumference and handle is of 200 cm length
Material make up	:	Handle portion is made up of Acacia sp. wood and basal portion is of iron rod
Utility and crops	:	It is used for spreading sugarcane bagasse
Who operates /handles?	:	It is operated by male labourers
Nature of operation	:	It is operated manually
Drudgery	:	Hand pain

18. Sakkai vadikatti

Local / Common Name	:	Sakkai vadikatti / Bagasse filter
Life and cost	:	Average life is four years and its costs Rs.l50/unit
Dimensions	:	Handle has a length of 250 cm. Working area has a length, breadth and depth of 65 cm x 45 cmx35 cm
Material make up	:	It is made up of Acacia sp. wood
Utility and crops	:	It is used for filtering of waste during jaggery preparation
Who operates /handles?	:	It is operated by male labourers
Nature of operation	:	It is operated manually
Drudgery	:	Hand pain

19. Irumbu bucket

Local / Common Name	:	Irumbu bucket / Iron bucket
Life and cost	:	Average life is five years and its costs Rs.200/unit
Dimensions	:	Bucket has a height of 45cm. Diameter of base and top portion is 15 cm and 30 cm respectively. Circumference of handle portion is 40 cm
Material make up	:	It is made up of iron
Utility and crops	:	It is used for transporting of sugarcane juice
Who operates /handles?	:	It is operated by male labourers
Nature of operation	:	It is operated manually
Drudgery	:	Hand pain

20. Periya kopparai

Local / Common Name	:	Periya Kopparai /Boiling pan
Life and cost	:	Average life is 3 years and it costs Rs.3500/unit
Dimensions	:	It has a depth of 75 cm and diameter is 225 cm
Material make up	:	It is made up of iron
Utility and crops	:	It is used for jiggery preparation
Who operates /handles?	:	It is operated by male labourers
Nature of operation	:	It is operated manually
Drudgery	:	Boy heat

21. Chinna kopparai

Local / Common Name	:	Chinna Kopparai / Pan
Life and cost	:	Average life is 3 years and it costs Rs.l500/unit
Dimensions	:	It has a depth of 50 cm and diameter is 100 cm
Material make up	:	It is made up of iron
Utility and crops	:	It is used for collecting sugarcane juice
Who operates /handles?	:	It is operated by male labourers
Nature of operation	:	It is operated manually
Drudgery	:	Nil

22. Vella achu

Local / Common Name	:	Vella achu /jaggery mould
Life and cost	:	Average life is four years and it costs Rs.350/unit
Dimensions	:	It is of 200 cm length and 50 cm breadth. Mould is of 2 square centimeter size
Material make up	:	Made up of pongamia wood. Mould is made up of iron rod
Utility and crops	:	It is used for jaggery preparation
Who operates /handles?	:	It is operated by male labourers
Nature of operation	:	It is operated manually
Drudgery	:	Nil

23. Karumbu thogai vetti

Local / Common Name	:	Karumbu thogai vetti / sugarcane trash cutter
Life and cost	:	Average life is 10 years and it costs Rs.250/unit
Dimensions	:	Length and breadth of basal portion if 45 cm x 10 cm Handle is of 150 cm length and 1 cm diameter. Working area has a perimeter of 40 cm
Material make up	:	Basal portion is made up of Acacia sp. wood and the handle and working area is made up of iron rod
Utility and crops	:	It is used for cutting of sugarcane trashes
Who operates /handles?	:	It is operated by both male and women labourers
Nature of operation	:	It is operated manually
Drudgery	:	Nil

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B. PADDY

24.Naattu kalappai

Local / Common Name	:	Naattu kalappai / country plough
Life and cost	:	Average life is 1 year and it cost Rs. 1000/unit
Dimensions	:	Body has a length and breadth of 10 cm x 5 cm. Shaft has a length of 350 cm. Share has a length of 15 cm. Handle portion is of 60 cm height
Material make up	:	It is made up of Acacia sp. wood or neem-wood or soundal wood
Utility and crops	:	It is used for primary and secondary tillage operations in all kind of soil with respect to all the crops
Who operates /handles?	:	It is operated by only male labourers
Nature of operation	:	It is a bullock drawn implement
Drudgery	:	Nil

25. Katti udaikkum sammatti

Local / Common Name	:	Katti Udaikkum Sammatti / Soil clod breaker
Life and cost	:	Average life is 4 years and it costs Rs. 150/unit
Dimensions	:	Working area has a length and breath of 15 cm 11 x 10 cm Handle is of 60 cm height
Material make up	:	It is made up of Acacia sp. or neem wood
Utility and crops	:	It is used for breaking up of clods formed in the soil
Who operates /handles?	:	It is operated by only male labourers
Nature of operation	:	It is operated manually
Drudgery	:	Hand pain

26. Parambadi palagai

Local / Common Name	:	Parambadi Palagai / Leveling board
Life and cost	:	Average life is 8 years and its costs Rs.l850/unit
Dimensions	:	Length of handle is 75 cm. working area has a length of 300 cm and width of 45 cm
Material make up	:	It is made up of wood
Utility and crops	:	It is used for levelling of paddy field under puddled condition.
Who operates /handles?	:	It is operated by only male labourers
Nature of operation	:	It is a tractor drawn implement
Drudgery	:	Nil

27. Kai palagai

Local / Common Name	:	Kai palagai / Leveling board
Life and cost	:	Average life is 3 years and it costs Rs.300/unit
Dimensions	:	Handle has a length of 150 cm and working area has a length and breadth of 60 cm and 5 cm respectively
Material make up	:	It is made up of Acacia sp. wood
Utility and crops	:	It is used for leveling of paddy field
Who operates /handles?	:	It is operated by male labourers
Nature of operation	:	It is operated manually
Drudgery	:	Nil

28. Pallu palagai

Local / Common Name	:	Pallu palagai / Leveling board
Life and cost	:	Average life is 5 years and it costs Rs.300/unit
Dimensions	:	Handle has a length of 100 cm and working area has a length and breadth of 75 cm and 10 cm respectively
Material make up	:	It is made up of Acacia sp. wood
Utility and crops	:	It is used for leveling of paddy field
Who operates /handles?	:	It is operated by male labourers
Nature of operation	:	It is operated manually
Drudgery	:	Smoke from chulah

29. Koot palagai

Local / Common Name	:	Koot palagai / Leveling board
Life and cost	:	Average life is 2 years and it costs Rs.25Q/unit
Dimensions	:	Handle has a length of 120 cm and working area has working area has several sticks of 30 cm length and 2 cm breadth
Material make up	:	It is made up of Acacia sp. wood
Utility and crops	:	It is used for leveling of paddy field
Who operates /handles?	:	It is operated by male labourers
Nature of operation	:	It is operated manually
Drudgery	:	Smoke from chulah

30. Karukkarival

Local / Common Name	:	Karukkarival / Sickle
Life and cost	:	Average life is five years and its costs Rs.l5/unit
Dimensions	:	Working area has 20 cm length and 3 cm width. Handle is of 15 cm height and 5 cm width
Material make up	:	Working area is made up of iron and handle is made up of Acacia sp. wood.
Utility and crops	:	Used for harvesting of paddy and fodder crops
Who operates /handles?	:	It is operated by both male and female labourers
Nature of operation	:	It is operated manually
Drudgery	:	It tears the hands

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C. TURMERIC

31. Manjal oonum kothu

Local / Common Name	:	Manjal oonum kothu / Turmeric rhizome dibbler
Life and cost	:	Average life is 5 years and it costs Rs.25/unit
Dimensions	:	Length of handle is 53 cm and diameter is 10 cm. Working area as a length of 22 cm and width of 13 cm
Material make up	:	Handle is made up of Acacia sp. wood and the working area is made up of iron
Utility and crops	:	Used for sowing of turmeric rhizomes
Who operates /handles?	:	It is operated by female labourers
Nature of operation	:	It is operated manually
Drudgery	:	Hand pain and palm roughness

32. Irumbu kalappai

Local / Common Name	:	Irumbu Kalappai / Iron plough
Life and cost	:	Average life is 5 years and it costs Rs.500/umt
Dimensions	:	Shaft has a length of 400 cm. Working area has a blade of 55 cm length and top and bottom width is 15 cm and 3 cm respectively. Handle is of 78 cm length and 5 cm width
Material make up	:	Shaft is made up of Acacia sp., wood and working area is made up of iron
Utility and crops	:	It is used for primary and secondary tillage operations in all kinds of soils with respect to all the crops
Who operates /handles?	:	It is operated by only male labourers
Nature of operation	:	It is a bullock drawn implement
Drudgery	:	Hand pain

33. Mammatty

Local / Common Name	:	Mann vetti or Mammatty / spad
Life and cost	:	Average life is 4 years and it costs Rs. 125/unit
Dimensions	:	Handle is of 50 cm length and working area has a length of 22 cm and breadth of 18 cm
Material make up	:	It is made up of Acacia sp. Wood
Utility and crops	:	It is used for formation of bunds, ridges and furrows and for irrigation practices with respect to all the crops
Who operates /handles?	:	It is operated by both male and women labourers
Nature of operation	:	It is operated manually
Drudgery	:	Palm roughness

34. Kalai kothu

Local / Common Name	:	Kalai kothu / Hand hoe
Life and cost	:	Average life is 3 years and it costs Rs.50/unit
Dimensions	:	Working area has a length of 13 cm. Top and bottom portion has a width of 7 cm and 50 cm respectively. Length of handle is 50 cm and diameter is 8 cm
Material make up	:	Handle is made up of Acacia sp. wood and the working area is made up of iron
Utility and crops	:	Used for weeding in turmeric farm
Who operates /handles?	:	It is operated by female labourers
Nature of operation	:	It is operated manually
Drudgery	:	Hand pain and palm roughness

35. Manjal vettum kothu

Local / Common Name	:	Manjal Vettum kothu / Turmeric harvester
Life and cost	:	Average life is 4 years and it costs Rs. 100/unit
Dimensions	:	Length of handle is 85 cm and diameter is 10 cm.
Material make up	:	Working area has a length of 20 cm and width of 14 cm
Utility and crops	:	Handle is made up of Acacia sp. wood and working area is made up of iron
Who operates /handles?	:	Used for harvesting of turmeric rhizomes
Nature of operation	:	It is operated by female labourers
Drudgery	:	It is operated manually Hand pain

36. Manjal vettum kothu

Local / Common Name	:	Manjal Vettum kothu / Turmeric harvester
Life and cost	:	Average life is 6 years and it costs Rs. 125/unit
Dimensions	:	Length of handle is 80 cm and diameter is .11 cm. Working areas at each side as a length of 25 cm; bottom width is 13 cm and top width is 8 cm
Material make up	:	Handle is made up of Acacia sp. wood and working area is made up of iron
Utility and crops	:	Used for harvesting of turmeric rhizomes and removal of sugarcane stubbles
Who operates /handles?	:	It is operated by male labourers
Nature of operation	:	It is operated manually
Drudgery	:	Hand pain

37. Manjal vettum kothu

Local / Common Name	:	Manjal Vettum kothu / Turmeric harvester
Life and cost	:	Average life is 4 years and it costs Rs.l50/unit
Dimensions	:	Length and diameter of handle is 70 cm and 50 cm respectively. Working area has a length of 20 cm and width of 7 cm
Material make up	:	Handle is made up of Acacia sp. wood and working area is made up of iron
Utility and crops	:	Used for digging out of turmeric rhizomes
Who operates /handles?	:	It is operated by male labourers
Nature of operation	:	It is operated manually
Drudgery	:	Hand pain

38.Chinna koodai

Local / Common Name	:	Chinna Koodai / Small basket
Life and cost	:	Average life is 2 years and it costs Rs.50/untt
Dimensions	:	Depth is 24 cm; diameter of the top and bottom portion is 40 cm and 22 cm respectively
Material make up	:	It is made up of bamboo stick
Utility and crops	:	It is used for collection of harvested turmeric rhizomes in the field
Who operates /handles?	:	It is handled by female labourers
Nature of operation	:	It is operated manually
Drudgery	:	Nil

39.Makkiri koodai

Local / Common Name	:	Makkiri Koodai / big basket
Life and cost	:	Average life is 2 years and it costs Rs.80/unit
Dimensions	:	Depth is 30 cm; diameter of the top and bottom portion is 54 cm and 30 cm respectively
Material make up	:	It is made up of bamboo
Utility and crops	:	It is used for transporting of turmeric rhizomes from field to home
Who operates /handles?	:	It is handled by female labourers
Nature of operation	:	It is operated manually
Drudgery	:	Nil

40.Manjal anda

Local / Common Name	:	Manjal anda / Turmeric boiler
Life and cost	:	Average life is 2 years and it costs Rs.750/unit
Dimensions	:	The pan has a length and breadth of 97 cm and 62 cm and depth of 30 cm It has 4 handles with length and breadth of 20 cm and 10 cm respectively
Material make up	:	It is made up of iron sheets
Utility and crops	:	It is used for the process of boiling of turmeric and parboiling of paddy
Who operates /handles?	:	It is operated by male labourers
Nature of operation	:	It is operated manually
Drudgery	:	Body heat

41. Kalai kothu

Local / Common Name	:	Kalai kothu / Hand hoe
Life and cost	:	Average life is 3 years and it costs Rs.30/unit
Dimensions	:	Working area has a length and breadth of 15 cm and 5 cm respectively. Length of handle is 50cm
Material make up	:	Handle is made up of Acacia sp. wood and the working area is made up of iron
Utility and crops	:	Used for weeding in turmeric farm
Who operates /handles?	:	It is operated by female labourers
Nature of operation	:	It is operated manually
Drudgery	:	Hand pain, palm roughness

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D. GROUNDNUT

42. Kalai kothu

Local / Common Name	:	Kalai kothu / Hand hoe
Life and cost	:	Average life is 3 years and it costs Rs.30/unit
Dimensions	:	Working area has a length and breadth of 15 cm and 5 cm respectively. Length of handle is 50cm
Material make up	:	Handle is made up of Acacia sp. wood and the working area is made up of iron
Utility and crops	:	Used for weeding in turmeric farm
Who operates /handles?	:	It is operated by female labourers
Nature of operation	:	It is operated manually
Drudgery	:	Hand pain, palm roughness

43. Kara chatty

Local / Common Name	:	Kara chatti / Iron basket
Life and cost	:	Average life is 6 years and it costs Rs.50/unit
Dimensions	:	It has a depth of 35 cm and diameter of 5 cm
Material make up	:	It is made up of iron sheets
Utility and crops	:	It is used for harvesting and keeping of ground nut pods and for application of manures
Who operates /handles?	:	It is operated by male and women labourers
Nature of operation	:	It is operated manually
Drudgery	:	Nil

44. Irumbu potti

Local / Common Name	:	Irurribu potti / Iron basket
Life and cost	:	Average life is 5 years and it costs Rs.80/unit
Dimensions	:	It has 15 cm diameter and 30 cm depth
Material make up	:	It is made up of iron sheet
Utility and crops	:	It is used for collection of groundnut pods during harvesting
Who operates /handles?	:	It is handled by women labourers
Nature of operation	:	It is operated manually
Drudgery	:	Nil

45. Saani koodai

Local / Common Name	:	Saani Koodai / cowdung basket
Life and cost	:	Average life is 4 years and it costs Rs.30/unit
Dimensions	:	It has a diameter and depth of 40 cm and 10 cm respectively
Material make up	:	It is made up of bamboo
Utility and crops	:	It is used for collection of groundnut pods and cowdung
Who operates /handles?	:	It is handled by both male and female labourers
Nature of operation	:	It is operated manually
Drudgery	:	Nil

46. Salladai

Local / Common Name	:	Salladai / Ground nut grader
Life and cost	:	Average life is 2 years and it costs Rs.50/unit
Dimensions	:	It has a length of 75 cm and breadth of 40 cm
Material make up	:	It is made up of mud
Utility and crops	:	It is used for grading of groundnut seeds
Who operates /handles?	:	It is operated by women labourers
Nature of operation	:	It is operated manually
Drudgery	:	Hand pain

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E. GINGELLY

47. Paathi podum kalappni

Local / Common Name	:	Paathi podum Kalappai / Bund former
Life and cost	:	Average life is 8 years and it costs Rs.500/unit
Dimensions	:	Shaft has a length of 400 cm. Working area has 2 blades each of 75 cm length and 20 cm width. Handle is of 60 cm length and 40 cm width
Material make up	:	Shaft is made up of Acacia sp. wood and working area is made up of iron
Utility and crops	:	It is used for formation of beds in maize, gingelly and groundnut farm.
Who operates /handles?	:	It is operated by only male labourers
Nature of operation	:	It is a bullock drawn implement
Drudgery	:	Nil

48. Arival:

Local / Common Name	:	Arival / Sickle
Life and cost	:	Average life is 2 years and its costs Rs. 10/unit
Dimensions	:	Working area has a curved surface of 25 cm. and length of handle is 7 cm
Material make up	:	Working area is made up of iron and handle is made up of Acacia sp. wood.
Utility and crops	:	It is used for harvesting of gingelly
Who operates /handles?	:	Operated by women labourers
Nature of operation	:	Operated manually
Drudgery	:	Working area has to be sharpened frequently

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F MISCELLANEOUS

49. Kadapparai

Local / Common Name	:	Kadapparai / Crow bar
Life and cost	:	Average life is 15 years and it costs Rs.200/unit
Dimensions	:	It has a length of 45 cm; diameter of bottom and top portion is 8 cm and 5 cm respectively
Material make up	:	It is made up of iron rod
Utility and crops	:	It is used to dig out pits for planting of tree plants
Who operates /handles?	:	It is operated by male members
Nature of operation	:	It is operated manually
Drudgery	:	Hand pain and palm roughness

50. Ulakkai

Local / Common Name	:	Ulakkai / milling tool
Life and cost	:	Average life is 10 years and it costs Rs.200/unit
Dimensions	:	It has a length of 142 cm and diameter of 15 cm
Material make up	:	It is made up of neem wood, soundal wood, jack wood or teak wood
Utility and crops	:	It is used for the process of milling of cereals
Who operates /handles?	:	It is operated by women labourers
Nature of operation	:	It is operated manually
Drudgery	:	Hand pain and palm roughness

51. Chekku

Local / Common Name	:	Chekku / Grinder
Life and cost	:	Average life is 10 years and it costs Rs.60/unit
Dimensions	:	It has a height of 140 cm and diameter of working area is 15 cm
Material make up	:	It is made up of stone
Utility and crops	:	It is used for the process of milling of all kinds of cereals
Who operates /handles?	:	It is operated by women labourers
Nature of operation	:	It is operated manually
Drudgery	:	Hand pain

52.Aattukkal

Local / Common Name	:	Aattukkal / Grinder
Life and cost	:	Average life is 10 years and it costs Rs.60/unit
Dimensions	:	It has a height of 60 cm and breadth is 48 cm. Depth and diameter of working area is 15 cm and 22 cm respectively kulavi has a length of 27 cm; diameter of top and bottom portion is 50 cm and 42 cm respectively. Length and diameter of handle is 10 cm and 5 cm respectively
Material make up	:	It is made up of stone
Utility and crops	:	Used for grinding of rice, cotton seeds etc
Who operates /handles?	:	It is operated by women labourers
Nature of operation	:	It is operated manually
Drudgery	:	Hand pain

53.Vai potti

Local / Common Name	:	Vai potti / Mouth cover
Life and cost	:	Life and cost Average life is 2 years and it costs Rs.50/unit
Dimensions	:	It has a depth of 15 cm and diameter of top and bottom portion is 15 cm and 8 cm respectively
Material make up	:	It is made up of coir
Utility and crops	:	It is used for tieing the mouth of animals to prevent grazing
Who operates /handles?	:	It is operated by male labourers
Nature of operation	:	Manual
Drudgery	:	Nil

54.Thattu narukki

Local / Common Name	:	Thattu Narukki / Sorghum stalk cutter
Life and cost	:	Average life is 80 years and its costs Rs.200/unit
Dimensions	:	Basal portion is of 100 cm length and 15 cm breath. Working area has a length of 40 cm x 5 cm.
Material make up	:	It is made up of iron
Utility and crops	:	It is used for cutting of sorghum stalks, fodder crops etc.,
Who operates /handles?	:	It is operated by male labourers
Nature of operation	:	It is operated manually
Drudgery	:	Hand pain

55. Irumbu muram

Local / Common Name	:	Irumbu muram / Winnower
Life and cost	:	Average life is 2 years and it costs Rs.30/unit
Dimensions	:	It has a length, breadth and depth of 40 cm x 30 cmx 3 cm
Material make up	:	It is made up of iron
Utility and crops	:	It is used for collecting and keeping up of pulses and oilseeds
Who operates /handles?	:	It is used mostly by female labourers
Nature of operation	:	It is operated manually
Drudgery	:	Hand pain

56. Mungil muram

Local / Common Name	:	Mungil muram /Winnower
Life and cost	:	Average life is 2 years and it costs Rs.50/unit
Dimensions	:	It has a length, breadth and depth of 35 cm x 25 cm x 3 cm
Material make up	:	It is made up of bamboo stick
Utility and crops	:	It is used for cleaning and winnowing of pulses and oilseeds
Who operates /handles?	:	It is used mostly by female labourers
Nature of operation	:	It is operated manually
Drudgery	:	Hand pain

57. Kodari

Local / Common Name	:	Kodari/Pick axe
Life and cost	:	Average life is 7 years and it costs Rs.75/unit
Dimensions	:	Length of handle is 65 cm and working area has a length of 40 cm and width of 5 cm
Material make up	:	Handle is made up of wood and working area is made up of iron
Utility and crops	:	It is used for cutting of fire wood and to up root basal wood portion of plants
Who operates /handles?	:	It is operated by male labourers
Nature of operation	:	It is operated manually
Drudgery	:	Hand pain

58. Mammatfy kothu

Local / Common Name	:	Mammatty Kothu / Hand hoe
Life and cost	:	Average life is 5 years and it costs Rs.30/unit
Dimensions	:	Length of handle is 55 cm and working area has a length of 5 cm and width of 10 cm
Material make up	:	Handle is made up of Acacia sp. wood and the blade is made up of iron
Utility and crops	:	It is used for weeding operation in cotton and tapioca farm
Who operates /handles?	:	It is operated by women labourers
Nature of operation	:	It is operated manually
Drudgery	:	Hand pain and palm roughness

59. Thali

Local / Common Name	:	Thali / Water keeping pan
Life and cost	:	Average life is 8 years and it costs Rs.80/unit
Dimensions	:	It has a depth of 60 cm Diameter of top and bottom portion is 50 cm and 25 cm respectively
Material make up	:	It is made up of cement mixtures
Utility and crops	:	It is also used for keeping water for cattle.
Who operates /handles?	:	It is handled by women labourers
Nature of operation	:	It is operated manually
Drudgery	:	Nil

60. Irumbu koduval

Local / Common Name	:	Vettarival / Iron knife
Life and cost	:	Average life is 6 years and its costs Rs. 100/unit
Dimensions	:	Handle has a length of 10cm. Working area has a curved surface of 30 cm
Material make up	:	It is made up of iron and handle
Utility and crops	:	It is used for harvesting of sorghum, forage crops and cutting of shrubs, thorns and other plants.
Who operates /handles?	:	It is operated by male labourers
Nature of operation	:	Operated manually
Drudgery	:	Working area has to be sharpened frequently

61. Aariya kal

Local / Common Name	:	Aariya kal / Ragi milling tool
Life and cost	:	Average life is 15 years and it coses Rs. 400/ unit
Dimensions	:	Basal portion has a height of 10 cm and diameter of 40 cm. Top
Material make up	:	It is made up of stone
Utility and crops	:	It is used for milling
Who operates /handles?	:	It is operated by women laboures
Nature of operation	:	It is operated manually
Drudgery	:	Nil

62. Ammi

Local / Common Name	:	Ammi / Milling tool
Life and cost	:	Average life is 15 years and it costs Rs.l50/unit
Dimensions	:	30 cm x 20 cm x 15 cm of length, breadth and height
Material make up	:	It is made up of stone
Utility and crops	:	It is used for grinding of small quantity of dhals
Who operates /handles?	:	It is operated by women labourers
Nature of operation	:	It is operated manually
Drudgery	:	Nil

63. Kodappu

Local / Common Name	:	Kodappu / Basket
Life and cost	:	Average life is Syears ami it costs Rs. 150/unit
Dimensions	:	It is of 110 cm diameter and 100 cm height
Material make up	:	It is made up of bamboo
Utility and crops	:	It is used for protecting young ones of goat and poultry from snakes, dogs and jackals
Who operates /handles?	:	It is handled by both women labourers
Nature of operation	:	It is operated manually
Drudgery	:	Nil

64. Suthi

Local / Common Name	:	Suthi / Hammer
Life and cost	:	Average life is 8 years and it costs Rs.50/unit
Dimensions	:	Length of handle is 30 cm. Length and diameter of working area is 10 cm and 3 cm respectively
Material make up	:	Handle is made up of Acacia sp. wood or pongamia wood or Albezzia lebbeck wood
Utility and crops	:	It is used for separation of seeds from tamarind
Who operates /handles?	:	It is operated by women labourers
Nature of operation	:	It is operated manually
Drudgery	:	Hand pain

65. Mathu

Local / Common Name	:	Mathu / Butter separator
Life and cost	:	Average life is 1.0 years and it costs Rs.50/unit
Dimensions	:	It has a length of 60 cm and basal portion has a diameter of 10 cm
Material make up	:	It is made up of Albezzia lebbeck wood
Utility and crops	:	It is used for separation of butter from curds
Who operates /handles?	:	It is operated by women labourers
Nature of operation	:	It is operated manually
Drudgery	:	Hand pain

66. Sarkkarai kachum adappu

Local / Common Name	:	Sarkkarai kachum adappu / Jaggery making chulah
Life and cost	:	Average life is 3 years and it costs Rs.200/unit
Dimensions	:	It has a diameter of 230 cm
Material make up	:	It is made up of mud
Utility and crops	:	It is used for jaggery preparation
Who operates /handles?	:	It is operated by male labourers
Nature of operation	:	It is operated manually
Drudgery	:	Smoke from chulah

69. Kadai Aani

Local / Common Name	:	Kadai Aani
Life and cost	:	Average life is 4 years and it costs Rs.50/unit
Dimensions	:	It has a length of 75 cm
Material make up	:	It is made up of iron rod
Utility and crops	:	It is used for managing the stress from the wheels of bullock card
Who operates /handles?	:	It is operated by male labourers
Nature of operation	:	It is operated manually
Drudgery	:	Nil

70. Padi

Local / Common Name	:	Padi / Measuring tool
Life and cost	:	Average life is 20 years and it costs Rs.25/unit
Dimensions	:	It has a length of 14 cm and diameter of 9 cm
Material make up	:	It is made up of iron
Utility and crops	:	It is used for measuring of cereals, pulses and oil seeds. It can measure a weight of % kg
Who operates /handles?	:	It is operated by male and women labourers
Nature of operation	:	It is operated manually
Drudgery	:	Nil

71. Vallam

Local / Common Name	:	Vallam/ Measuring tool
Life and cost	:	Average life is 20 years and it costs Rs.100/unit
Dimensions	:	It has a length of 20 cm and diameter of 18 cm
Material make up	:	It is made up of iron
Utility and crops	:	It is used for measuring of cereals, pulses and oil seeds. It can measure a weight of 3 kg
Who operates /handles?	:	It is operated by male and women labourers
Nature of operation	:	It is operated manually
Drudgery	:	Nil

72. Sorai

Local / Common Name	:	Sorai / funnel
Life and cost	:	Average life is 3 years and it costs Rs.25/unit
Dimensions	:	It has a width of 26 cm
Material make up	:	It is made up of plastic
Utility and crops	:	It is used for pouring of pesticide into the sprayer
Who operates /handles?	:	It is operated by male labourers
Nature of operation	:	It is operated manually
Drudgery	:	Nil

73. Raathal

Local / Common Name	:	Raathal / Measuring tool
Life and cost	:	Average life is 10 years and it costs Rs.300/unit
Dimensions	:	It has a length of 36 cm and width of 4 cm
Material make up	:	It is made up of iron
Utility and crops	:	It is used for weighing of produles
Who operates /handles?	:	It is operated by male labourers
Nature of operation	:	It is operated manually
Drudgery	:	Nil

74. Sallai kathi

Local / Common Name	:	Sallai kathi / Harvester
Life and cost	:	Average life is 8 years and it costs Rs.30/unit
Dimensions	:	Length of bamboo stick is 200 cm and the working area is an iron knife having a curved surface of 10 cm
Material make up	:	It is made up of iron
Utility and crops	:	It is used for harvesting of fruits, drum stick
Who operates /handles?	:	It is operated by male labourers
Nature of operation	:	It is operated manually
Drudgery	:	Nil

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G.INDIGENOUS FARM TOOLS PHOTOS

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Authors

Dr.C.Karthikeyan
Dr.J.Venkata Pirabu
Mrs.S.Amudha
Mrs.G.Selvarani
Dr.R.Netaji Seetharaman

Department of Agricultural Extension and Rural Sociology
Centre for Agricultural and Rural Development Studies
Tamil Nadu Agricultural University
Coimbatore-641 003.

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