Demographic Transition & Agricultural Evolution

Posted on Mar 24, 2025 in Geography

The Four Phases of Demographic Transition

The demographic transition model describes population change over time. It is based on historical population trends of two demographic characteristics – birth rate and death rate – to suggest that a country’s total population growth rate cycles through stages as that country develops economically.

Phase 1: Pre-industrial Society

High birth and mortality rates characterize the pre-industrial phase. Each woman had approximately five children, but infant mortality was high, with between 200 and 500 infant deaths per 1000 births. Overall, population growth was slow due to limited resources and minimal social control over fertility.

Phase 2: Early Industrial Society – The Demographic Boom

Improved hygiene and nutrition led to a slow decline in mortality rates. Famines diminished due to better agricultural techniques, and coal provided a new energy source. Diseases like tuberculosis decreased. Birth rates remained high, leading to a population explosion. This phase was experienced in Europe during the 18th and 19th centuries.

Phase 3: Late Industrial Society – Demographic Readjustment

Mortality continued to decline due to improved hygiene and the introduction of vaccines. Birth rates also progressively decreased, approaching mortality rates. This marked the end of the demographic boom. Factors contributing to lower birth rates included lower infant mortality, economic development, increased consumption, changes in housing, and the integration of women into the workforce. All developed countries are currently in this phase.

Phase 4: Post-industrial Society – New Demographic Regime

Low mortality and birth rates characterize this phase. There is minimal vegetative growth, with life expectancy reaching around 80 years. This phase is found in wealthy countries worldwide, characterized by an aging population.

Agricultural Systems: Subsistence, Traditional, and Market

Types of Agricultural Cultivars

There are two main types of agricultural cultivars:

  • Polyculture: The practice of cultivating multiple crops in the same space, promoting biodiversity.
  • Monoculture: The practice of cultivating a single crop in a given area, allowing for greater quantity and often better quality.

Intensive vs. Extensive Agriculture

  • Intensive Agriculture: Practiced on small and expensive land, aiming for maximum production. It requires significant investment in technology and resources to achieve high quality and quantity, often seen in fruit and vegetable farming.
  • Extensive Agriculture: Practiced on large areas of land, with lower labor input and lower yields per unit area. It relies on advanced machinery, seed selection, and often practices fallowing (leaving land uncultivated to recover). It is easier to commercialize and results in large production volumes.

Subsistence Agriculture

Subsistence agriculture is practiced primarily in developing countries for survival. It is characterized by:

  • Labor-intensive practices focused solely on providing for the farmer’s family.
  • Prevalent in parts of Asia, Oceania, and America.
  • Use of rudimentary tools and techniques.
  • Limited use of animals due to lack of grazing land.
  • Low yields due to constant exploitation of the land and poor soil quality.
  • Difficulties in increasing productivity and quality, resulting in low living standards.

Traditional Market Agriculture

This type of agriculture has evolved alongside industrial development:

  1. Impact of Industrial Development: Industrial development in agriculture has led to increased food production and quality. Large and small-scale industries have grown, almost eliminating the need for peasant dresses in the industry.
  2. Market Agriculture: Farmers aim to maximize profits by specializing in products with high demand, leading to increased quality. They specialize in certain products and purchase others on the market.
  3. Slow Transformation: This transition was slow, as farmers initially kept a portion of their land for self-sufficiency due to distrust and past experiences with hunger.
  4. Market Dependence: Currently, farmers produce solely for the market and often work in industry, earning fixed salaries.

European Union (EU) Agricultural Policy

The EU’s Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) has evolved over time:

  • Initially, the EU promoted intensive agriculture, providing advantageous tax breaks, credits, and favorable prices for products.
  • The CAP aimed for European self-sufficiency but led to overproduction and surpluses.
  • New proposals include limiting production, abandoning unprofitable land, converting it into forests, and encouraging developing countries to buy European products.
  • Wealthy countries within the EU are increasing protectionist policies to defend their own agricultural products.