Agricultural technology practiced by West Africans and Medieval Europeans

Agricultural technology practiced by West Africans and Medieval Europeans

Introduction

Agricultural technology for both Medieval Europeans and West Africans involved a kind of technology complex. It comprised of tools, modes of life, and suitable crops. Besides, the innovations were not a sudden breakthrough and could not be attributed to one individual. However, it was incremental technology made possible through the work of simple farmers in addition to their accumulated knowledge in agriculture. They utilized the existing techniques and tools to come up with better agricultural technology. This study will precisely describe agricultural technology used by West Africans and Medieval Europeans and explains the more advanced technology from the two.

Medieval Europeans developed critical hydrological expertise for draining marshes and swamps to get arable land. In the early twelfth century, windmills and watermills were introduced using wind as an alternative source of power (13). Also, Europeans utilized heavy plows to cut soil. The plow could dig a furrow; turn the soil over burying weeds. It enhanced fertilization and improved drainage (4). Oxen were used to pull the plows, but with time, horses became the animal of choice since they could plow more land quickly. Either, Europeans farmers started to grow different crops at different times, while leaving some parts to lie fallow. This method allowed them to avoid the risk of pests, bad weather, and disease.

West Africans created their agricultural technology as well. Three water regimes were practiced in rice planting, including rainfall, groundwater, and tides. This West African cropping system method was meant to capture moisture regimes to enhance production. To keep the soil saturated, farmers could construct small earthen dams, bunds forming a reservoir and stream off (13). Mangrove rice system could serve two purposes in water control. First is capturing rainwater for irrigation while capturing water that would drown weeds.

Conclusion

In conclusion, agricultural technology came into place to enhance profitability and improve people’s livelihood. For Medieval Europeans, agricultural technology included hydrological methods for draining swamps, use of plows, windmills, and crop rotation. Consequently, West Africans practiced sophisticated agricultural techniques in rice planting. They observed three water regimes, construct earthen embankments and bunds and use mangrove rice system. Comparing the two techniques, West African technology seems more advanced agricultural technology.