When man builds his own tools, his hands work for the benefit of his spirit; and when both, hand and spirit, come together in a harmonious relationship with nature, they prioritize their condition human.
In search of technologies that facilitate the work of the organic garden,
The following premises have been fundamentally taken into account for research, development, adaptation and experimentation
That the machines, tools, equipment and devices, favor the conservation, keeping the soil tilled, as natural as possible;
That in their construction the reuse of recyclable materials is foreseen both for the contribution to ecological principles, increasingly necessary, as also, because of the budgetary constraints of most of the project's recipients;
That they facilitate the work, reduce the physical efforts of operation and allow the anatomical adaptations for the use of men, women, children and people with different abilities.
Although one of the objectives that stimulate this work is to promote the
self-sufficiency, other manufacturing alternatives are not ruled out, such as
* small craft enterprises
* workshops of technical schools and vocational training centers
* agreements of technological linkage
The latter will allow the Institution to relate with companies interested in expanding the supply of tools and equipment, many of which are not
of recognized technological value for the industry.
development of sustainable small-scale agricultural models.
A useful, economical and efficient tool, used with the skill
that provides the right training, coupled with a willing spirit
to respect nature, taking what she generously offers us, will allow us to GROW in the search of that, so longed for, world
better.
CONSIDERATIONS ON ORGANIC GARDEN TOOLS
There is no more valuable element of help in the organic garden than a good tool. However, its value also depends on other factors:
Quality and design: a good tool is one in whose construction it
have taken care:
the manufacturing technology
the quality of the materials
the anatomical design
The national industry has tools of diverse quality and cost, along with
to others of imported origin, which can be accessed through the stores
specialized.
The PRO-HUERTA contemplates the elaboration of descriptive Technical Cards for
the "homemade" manufacture of some of these tools and implements.
In this edition, 16 of them are presented. In order to facilitate the construction
of others of greater complexity are also included, the plans of prototypes that already
are being experienced with good results in school, family and community gardens in most of the country. In this sense, it is worth mentioning the contribution that private artisans, students and teachers from special schools, common primary schools, professional training centers, municipal workshops, penitentiary institutions, non-governmental organizations and an important number of
"orchards" that reward themselves by building their own tools.
Timely work: the correct observation and handling of the land to be cultivated, its
humidity, compaction and type of soil, will allow to determine the opportune moment to point, to carp, to sow, to irrigate, etc.
The execution of certain tasks at the wrong time of the circumstantial state of the
National Institute of Agricultural Technology 7
The soil, not only implies a greater effort and time of work, but also, in some cases, they prevent to improve the land adequately for the later work.
Adequate handling: each tool, according to its design and technological characteristics, has a correct way of being operated. For this reason, it must be adapted
anatomically to the eventual operator, so that it does not force him to efforts and
useless movements that produce unnecessary fatigue.
Man is capable of a great variety of natural movements.
For this reason, when he executes a task with a certain tool and follows
their "natural" movement with respect to direction, speed and frequency, healthier and less tiring will be that task.
Work that requires the use of a few muscles causes fatigue more quickly than work that involves several parts of the body and several muscles in
each of those parts.
The skills and abilities in the handling of horticultural tools are only
acquire with sequence and opportune exercise, notwithstanding the humanization of
manual tasks make it advisable to remember these principles:
A) Working movements that follow the most "natural" movements of the
operator in direction, speed and frequency.
B) The use of as many muscles as possible to decrease "load" at each
one of them.
C) A "variety" of movements involving different muscles in
alternative sequences.
When we consider the "orchard", not only as a work to produce
food, but also as a pleasant environment in which to recreate nature,
marvel at his work and learn from his teachings and his efficiency, we can
conclude that:
EFFICIENT TASK: is the cultural or soil preparation work, with the help
of a tool or implement, with the least consumption of time and effort, in
which you can see at first sight an excellent quality.
Care and Maintenance: even the best of tools will only continue to maintain their original quality when they are properly cared for and maintained.
proper maintenance. These do not consist only of maintaining the cutting edges,
adjusting the ends and keeping their different parts protected with paints, but also in preserving their hygiene conditions once the work is done.
Rust is the element that most attacks certain metallic parts of the tools and the one that also makes a good work difficult and precisely this is controlled
with periodic use and subsequent cleaning.
