(a) Describe briefly four common survey equipment or tools including their various uses. (b) Enumerate the importance of farm surveying and planning in agri...

Answer Details

(a) Four common survey equipment/tools and their uses

• Ranging pole: used for marking out and sighting straight lines during survey.
• Measuring/surveyor tape (or chain): used for measuring horizontal distances between points.
• Prismatic compass: used for measuring the bearing (direction) of survey lines.
• Levelling instrument (dumpy level) and staff: used for determining differences in height/elevation of points on the land.
• (Others acceptable: theodolite for measuring horizontal and vertical angles; arrows/pegs for marking points.)

(b) Importance of farm surveying and planning

• It gives the exact size, shape and boundaries of the farmland.
• It helps to prepare a map/plan of the farm for proper record and reference.
• It guides the proper layout and location of farm structures, roads and drainage.
• It helps to allocate land to different enterprises efficiently.
• It helps to determine the level and slope of the land for irrigation and erosion control.
• It helps to settle boundary disputes and provides evidence of ownership.
• It aids proper planning, budgeting and estimation of inputs for the farm.