Theory question 102
Farm Surveying and Planning(a) Describe briefly four common survey equipment or tools including their various uses.
(b) Enumerate the importance of farm surveying and planning in agriculture.
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(a) Any four: ranging pole – painted wooden/metal pole for marking stations and straight lines; Gunter's chain – 20.1 m chain of 100 links for measuring distances; measuring tape – linen/steel tape for lengths; prismatic compass – measures bearings; arrows/pins – mark chain lengths; cross-staff/optical square – sets right angles; theodolite – measures angles; level – heights
(b) Any reasonable points: gives exact size and boundaries; helps in layout of plots, roads, buildings, drains; helps estimate inputs (seeds, fertilizer, labour); prevents boundary disputes; needed for land title and loans; helps plan irrigation, drainage and erosion control; shows gradient of land; basis for feasibility studies
Describe each instrument and its use.