What are the different options in FENCEing?

In our Agriculture for Everybody blog series, we are going to see the different options in Fences.


Before getting into the details of Fences, we need to consider and assess whether we need Fences at all.  While you travel in the rural areas, you can notice many of the Paddy fields, Sugarcane fields etc are not fenced at all.  So, only if there is a need for Fencing should we consider the below options.

The need for fencing is to keep the stray cattle and poultry as well as human beings from tresspassing into your farm and damaging the crops and thereby minimizing the monetary loss.

Let us take a look at the different Fencing Options generally used and their specific uses as well.

1. Wooden Fencing
2. Wire Fencing
3. Electric / Solar Fencing
4. Live Fencing

Wooden Fencing

A wooden pole is used every few feet and in between wooden planks are attached to the poles.  This has been used previously and this is used mainly for keeping big animals (like cows, horses) out.

The wooden pole and the wooden slabs gets worn out due to sun, rain and climatic conditions and hence needs to be replaced after few years.

Wire Fencing

A granite stone / cement / iron pole is used every few feet and a wire is used to secure the boundaries of the fence. In this type of fence, the initial cost is heavy but it lasts long.

Within Wire Fencing, there are many varieties and some of them are as follows:-

• Smooth Wire Fencing
• Barbed Wire Fencing
• Diamond / Chain Link Wire Fencing
• Square Wire Fencing

The most preferred fencing in the Wire Fencing is the Chain Link Fencing as it deters both big and small animals.

Electric / Solar Fencing


The Electric / Solar Fencing will have wires and through which small electric current gets passed and when the stray animals touches the fences, a mild shock is received and hence it avoid crossing into the farm.  This is generally used around the farms which is nearby forests so as to deter wild animals from entering the farm.

Live / Natural Fence

Live Fence does not mean electric fence but refers to the liveable growing plants and trees.  This fence will take atleast 3 years to be able to protect the crops but the least expensive of all the fences.

In terms of longevity, it is also the best and also provides useful monetary benefit in the long run to the farmers.