Most fuels used on the farm are combustible and care has to be taken when they are handled, used and stored. Gasoline, dieseline and kerosene are used to power tractors, water pumps and generators. These fuels should be stored in special containers approved by the Bureau of Standards. There should be 'no smoking' and 'no naked flame' signs in the storage areas and in areas where the fuels are handled. Storage areas should be fitted with locks.
Chemicals, such as artificial fertilisers and pesticides, should be handled with care and stored in a locked room. Protective clothing should be worn when these chemicals are being used and all containers need to be thoroughly washed after use.
Summar
• Caribbean countries have a tropical marine climate with warm temperatures all year round.
• There is a rainy season (May to October) and the rest of the year is relatively dry. Hurricanes occur during the period from June to November.
• Because of the warm climate, plants grow well and seeds germinate rapidly. • Rainfall affects agricultural production: in the rainy season there is leaching of
nutrients from the soil and flooding.
• In the dry season, some crops need to be irrigated.
• Weather forecasts help farmers to determine the best times for certain farm operations, such as land preparation and harvesting.
• Rainfall is measured by a rain gauge, set up away from buildings and trees. • Temperature is measured using a thermometer. It is usual to record the
maximum and minimum temperatures each day, using special thermometers. • Over the Caribbean region, cold and warm fronts occur when the polar air
mass meets the tropical maritime air mass.
• A cold front causes the warm air to rise, clouds are formed and there is rain. • The Intertropical Convergence Zone is formed by the North East Trades air
stream meeting the South East Trades air stream. The movement of this zone causes the wet and dry seasons in the Caribbean.
• Studying weather records and weather patterns can be helpful to farmers. • Land preparation is essential in ensuring that the soil is prepared for growing
crops.
• The first operation is to clear the land of trees, shrubs, grasses and crop residues. 140
• Tillage involves ploughing the soil to break up the surface, to incorporate organic matter and to prepare a good tilth for the planting of crops.
• Tillage can be done manually or mechanically using a tractor and attachments. • Before crops are sown, the land may need to be fertilised and limed. Drainage
has to be provided to cope with excess water during the rainy season.
• The land is levelled and beds are formed. The beds are designed to suit the terrain and cope with the climate. Cambered beds are used in the rainy season, so that the ground does not become waterlogged.
• Many different types of machinery are now used in farming and make the preparation of land and other tasks easier for the farmer.
• Tractors, with their attachments, speed up tasks that were previously time- consuming. There are different sizes of tractors, some with wheels and others with metal chain belts that give grip on sloping terrain.
• Other specialised equipment has been designed to harvest crops, sow seeds, spray fertilisers and pesticides, cut grass and weeds and spread manure. • All tools, machinery and equipment need to be cleaned and maintained. Tools
are stored in racks, shelves and cupboards.
• Everyone needs to be aware of the safety precautions when using tools and equipment. Safety clothing and goggles should be worn when operating machinery or spraying chemicals.
• Safety devices on machinery should be in place and checked regularly.
• Gasoline and kerosene should be stored in the correct containers. There should be no smoking and no naked flames where these fuels are kept.
• Chemicals used on the farm should be stored safely and equipment washed after use.
ITCH A tropical marine climate has warm temperatures all year round; it is typical of islands in the equatorial regions; average temperature is 27°C.
ITQ2 In order to be able to plan the farm operations; so that spraying is not done on windy days; land preparation and harvesting are not done when there is likely to be heavy rain.
1103 There could be run-off from tall buildings and splashing from trees; both affect the quantity of rain getting into the funnel of the rain gauge.
IT04 A maximum thermometer is filled with mercury and records the maximum temperature reached in the day. A minimum thermometer is filled with alcohol and records the lowest temperature.
11115 To keep them screened from the sun, from air movements and from conduction of heat from the ground.
IT06 Weather information can be obtained from the radio, television and internet.
ITU When the polar air mass meets the tropical maritime air mass, there is a cold front at the edge of the polar air and a warm front at the edge of the tropical air. The warm air rises and rain clouds form.
ITQ8 Leaching of nutrients from the soil and flooding of the land, so that crops are destroyed and work on the fields is impossible.
ITQ9 Trees can be removed using an axe or chain saw and a bulldozer.
IT(11 0 These can be removed using a weed wacker or a brushcutter attached to a tractor.
ITIll 1 Tillage is the breaking up of the soil and the incorporation of organic matter.
11012 Primary tillage involves ploughing the land to break up the soil surface. Secondary tillage is breaking up large clods of soil into smaller aggregates.
Examination-style
questions
Section B: Crop Production11013 It is better to use manual methods on small farms and where the terrain is hilly or mountainous.
11014 Levelling is done when land is prepared for the crop so that lumps are removed and there is a flat surface on which to plant seeds and seedlings. 11015 Machines speed up operations on the farm, more land can be cultivated,
and more work can be done each day. More food can be produced. 11016 A four-wheeled medium tractor with attachments.
11017 The mechanical seeder can be adjusted to give the right sowing density, the seeds are sown more evenly and the job does not take as long. 11018 A disc plough.
11019 To cut up and incorporate organic matter into the soil, to break up heaps of manure, and to produce a good tilth during secondary tillage.
ITQ20 Tools should be stored in a special area, on racks, on shelves or in cupboards.
11021 Wipe them over with an oily rag and keep them in a dry place.
11022 Safety gear refers to clothing, face masks, goggles and ear muffs that are worn by the operators of machinery. Safety devices are clips guards and filters that are fitted to machinery and equipment to protect the operator. 11023 Fuel and chemicals should be stored in locked stores. There should be no
smoking or naked lights near fuel stores.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. The best attachment to use to break up a hardpan is a: A mouldboard plough
B disc plough C chisel plough D rotovator
2. A face mask should be worn when operating a: A crop sprayer
B manure spreader C fertiliser spreader D harrow
3. The Intertropical Convergence Zone is formed when: A the polar air mass meets the tropical maritime air mass B the polar air mass meets the North East Trades
C the South East Trades meet the tropical maritime air mass D the North East Trades meet the South East Trades
4. Which agricultural equipment would you use to clear shrubs and vines from an area of abandoned land?
A rotovator B brushcutter C harrow D plough