Introduction to Agriculture
Agriculture is the practice of cultivating plants and livestock in order to provide facilities the human beings. In the rise of the sedentary human lifestyle agriculture was the key development. The cultivation of plant and food grains began years ago in order to provide food to the city population. Agriculture is the main need for the people to live in the society. Agriculture is the main source of livelihood, it provides a source for the people to earn. Most of the population in the rural areas is dependent on agriculture as their main source of income.
Agriculture contributes significantly to a country’s GDP that is the Gross Domestic Production of a country. By the passing of time, there are a number of revolutions that take place in order to improve agriculture throughout the world or a country. If we talk about agriculture, India has witnessed a number of revolutions, that is, the green revolution, yellow revolution, blue revolution, agriculture. Agriculture affects the biodiversity of a country depending upon agricultural activities.
The major agricultural products can be widely grouped into categories of food grains, fibers and raw materials.
Foodgrains included the grains or cereals that have been used for eating. Fiber crops are completely Commercial, they can not be eaten and are completely grown for making money. Raw materials are that category of crops that are completely grown for use as raw materials in industries in order to prepare other items.
This article provided to help you to learn the topic of agriculture about the history of farming, Commercial farming, primitive farming, its characteristics, types of Commercial Farming, intensive subsidence character, and so on. This will help you to get a clear view of agriculture. Let's have a look at it.
History of Agriculture
The development of agriculture enables human civilization to grow rapidly. This agriculture that was started by hunting and gathering has now reached the stage of cultivation and industrial form of agriculture also.
The earliest food crop grown was rice which was followed by Moong, soya, azuki beans, etc. Sheep were domesticated in Mesopotamia first, cattle were domesticated in the areas of modern turkey, pig production emerged in Europe, East Asia, and South Asia. There are many hypotheses that are explained by the scholars for agriculture.
Irrigations, crop cultivation, and fertilizers were the advanced form of agriculture that was developed in the 17th century. Modern agriculture has raised or encountered issues such as water pollution, biofeedback, genetically modified organisms, farm subsidies leading to alternative approaches such as that of organic movements.
In the rise of sedentary human civilization agriculture is the key development. Farming of domestic species provided food surpluses that prompted people to live in cities. The history began some thousands of years ago. Pigs, sheep, and cattle were domesticated over 10000 years ago. Plants were cultivated independently in 11 regions of the world. Industrial agriculture based on a large scale in the 20th century came and dominated agriculture output. An estimated number of around 2 billion people still depend on subsistence agriculture.
The major agricultural products are broadly grouped into foods, fibres, fuels, and raw materials. Over one-third of the world’s workers are employed in agriculture and after that to the service sector.
Commercial Farming
Commercial farming is when farmers grow crops or rear animals for economic activity. Commercial farming needs to be practised on a large scale with more efficiency. The goal of the farmer is to earn profits from farming, hence the production and area of production need to be on a larger scale. This practice is also known as agribusiness and is intensively taken up and practised. It has also opened its doors for a lucrative business venture.
Due to the large production in commercial farming and despite its major benefits, it is a bit worrisome as it includes lots of fertilisers, pesticides, weed killers, and other sorts of chemicals.
Crops in this type of agriculture are completely grown in order to provide the farmers with the benefit of money. These crops are not for you to consume but only for the sale.
Here are Some of the Characteristics of Commercial Agriculture:
Large scale production
It is capital intensive
It uses high yielding varieties
It is produced mainly for sale purpose
Heavy machinery and human labour is used
Traditionally practised all year round.
Types of Commercial Farming include the Following:
Dairy farming
Grain farming
Plantation farming
Livestock ranching
Mixed crop and livestock farming
Fruit farming
Primitive Farming
Primitive farming or also known as simple subsistence farming (farming for the farm-family only) is the oldest form of agriculture and is still prevalent in some areas of the world. Primitive farming enabled people to take a step further on the economic ladder by learning the art of domesticating plants. In this type of farming, farmers grow crops for themselves and their families. The growing of crops is only limited.
Its Characteristics Include the Following:
Sites of farming are selected by experienced elders.
Hill slopes are preferred because of proper drainage
Forests are cleared by fire, as ashes add to the fertility of the soil
This is also called slash and burn agriculture.
The cultivated patches are usually very small
Primitive tools are used in cultivation such as stick and hoe
Intensive Subsistence Agriculture
Intensive subsistence agriculture term is used to describe the type of agriculture which is characterised by high output per unit of land and low output per worker.
Although its nature has changed and is no longer subsistence. These are more sophisticated than primitive agriculture and are also known as monsoon type of agriculture
Its Characteristics Include the Following:
Very smallholdings
Farming is very intensive
It requires much hand labour
It uses animal and plant manures
The dominance of padi and other food crops
Following are the Types of Subsistence Farming:
Shifting Cultivation: In this method, farmers clear the cultivated land and burn it afterwards. The ashes produced thereafter increase soil fertility. This method is known by different names in different regions. It is further practiced in South America and Southeast Asia. This method is not fit as by exhausting the quality of the soil of one place and then moving to another place for doing the same is not a solution.
Nomadic Herding: It involves herders and farmers traveling from place to place with their group of animals. The herders also provide wool, meat, hide, and dairy products from the livestock. This type of farming is very common in places like Rajasthan, Jammu, and Kashmir. Animals herd here are sheep, goats, camel, and yak
It is quite the opposite of primitive farming. Farmers practice this on wider areas of land, they use modern machinery and add chemical fertilizers for the betterment of crop production.
Whereas in primitive agriculture, all the age-old agricultural practices are done by using the age-old method by which agriculture was done in the past. In the primitive type of agriculture also there is a waste of energy and sources up to some extent without getting a good quality of the crops we were looking for.
FAQs on Agriculture
1. What defines Primitive Subsistence Farming?
Primitive Subsistence Farming is a traditional method practiced on small land patches, primarily relying on manual labor, family, or community help. It depends heavily on the monsoon and the natural fertility of the soil, with crops grown based on prevailing climatic conditions. This method is often referred to as 'slash and burn' agriculture, where a patch of land is cleared and cultivated until its fertility depletes, after which farmers move to a new area, allowing the abandoned land to regenerate naturally over time.
2. How does Commercial Grain Farming differ from other agricultural practices?
Commercial Grain Farming is characterized by large-scale production of crops, mainly grains like wheat and maize, for market sale rather than self-consumption. Unlike subsistence farming, it is highly mechanized, uses extensive land areas, and often specializes in a single crop (monoculture). This type of farming is common in areas with low population density and requires significant capital investment, with yields often depending on climatic conditions and market fluctuations.
3. What is Commercial Farming, and why is it significant?
Commercial farming involves cultivating crops or raising livestock primarily for sale to generate profit, rather than for the farmer's personal use. It focuses on large-scale production for distribution to wholesalers or retail markets. Examples include cash crops like tea, coffee, sugarcane, and cotton. Its significance lies in promoting economic growth by creating jobs, providing raw materials for industries, improving local infrastructure, increasing agricultural productivity, and enhancing national food security by ensuring a steady supply of produce for a wider population.
4. What is the fundamental meaning of agriculture?
Agriculture fundamentally refers to the practice of cultivating land, growing crops, and raising livestock (animals) to produce food, fiber, and other products for human use. Derived from Latin words 'agri' (field) and 'cultura' (cultivation), it encompasses the science and art of farming. It is a vital sector globally, serving as a primary livelihood for a significant portion of the world's population and forming the backbone of many economies, including India's.
5. What are the primary classifications of agricultural practices?
Agricultural practices can be broadly classified into several types based on their purpose, scale, and methods. The primary classifications often include:
- Subsistence Farming: Practiced mainly to meet the needs of the farmer's family, with little or no surplus for sale.
- Commercial Farming: Large-scale production of crops and livestock for sale in the market.
- Plantation Agriculture: A type of commercial farming where a single cash crop is grown on large estates, often requiring significant capital and labor.
- Shifting Agriculture: Also known as 'slash and burn,' it involves cultivating a patch of land for a few years until soil fertility declines, then moving to a new area.
- Intensive Farming: High inputs of labor or capital per unit area of land.
- Extensive Farming: Low inputs of labor or capital per unit area of land.
6. Why is agriculture considered a vital sector for India's economy and population?
Agriculture is crucial for India because it directly impacts the livelihood of a majority of its population, provides food security, and contributes significantly to the national Gross Domestic Product (GDP). It is the primary source of employment, supplies raw materials for various industries (like textiles and sugar), and generates foreign exchange through exports. A thriving agricultural sector ensures food availability, stabilizes prices, and supports rural economies, making it fundamental to the country's overall development and well-being.
7. How do climatic conditions influence different farming methods?
Climatic conditions, including rainfall, temperature, and sunshine, profoundly influence the choice and success of different farming methods. For instance, Primitive Subsistence Farming heavily relies on monsoon rainfall and natural soil fertility, making it susceptible to drought or erratic weather. In contrast, Commercial Grain Farming might thrive in regions with specific temperature ranges suitable for particular grains but can also be vulnerable to extreme weather events like floods. Farmers adapt their crop choices, irrigation techniques, and overall agricultural practices based on the prevailing climate to optimize yield and minimize risks.
8. What are the environmental implications of intensive commercial farming?
Intensive commercial farming, while boosting production, can have significant environmental implications. These include soil degradation due to excessive use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, leading to loss of nutrients and soil structure. It often involves heavy water usage, contributing to water depletion and groundwater contamination. Furthermore, large-scale monoculture can reduce biodiversity, making ecosystems more vulnerable to pests and diseases. Runoff from farms can also pollute water bodies, impacting aquatic life and human health.
9. How can understanding various farming types help in sustainable development?
Understanding various farming types is crucial for promoting sustainable development because it allows for informed decisions about resource management and environmental conservation. By recognizing the characteristics and impacts of different methods, we can identify practices that are environmentally friendly (e.g., organic farming, traditional methods that preserve soil fertility) and those that are detrimental (e.g., over-reliance on chemical inputs in intensive farming). This knowledge helps in developing policies and promoting agricultural practices that ensure food security for the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
