Factors Affecting Agriculture: Physical, Human, and Economic Aspects
Factors Determining Agricultural Use
Agriculture is affected by physical and human factors. Physical factors can favor, hinder, or even prevent agricultural use, but they remain critical even in highly technified societies.
Physical Factors
Three main physical factors influence agriculture:
- Weather: Plants struggle in extreme temperatures or with excessive/scarce rainfall.
- Relief: Altitude and terrain slope impact agricultural activity. Slopes exceeding 10 degrees are generally unsuitable, although terracing can mitigate this.
- Soil: Grain size and porosity affect oxygen content and water retention.
Human Factors
Human factors include:
- Population Volume: Increased population leads to more extensive land use and techniques to improve yields.
- Agricultural Techniques: Developed countries use modern techniques for higher production, while underdeveloped countries often rely on traditional methods.
- Production Destination: Subsistence farming contrasts with market-oriented agriculture, focusing on one or few products for sale.
- Agricultural Policy: Economic aid, quotas, and import restrictions protect farmers and influence production.
The Agricultural Market
The agricultural revolution shifted from subsistence to market-oriented farming. The primary objective is profit maximization. Key aspects include:
- Specialization: Growing a single product per farm improves yields.
- Mechanization: Machines replace human labor, increasing efficiency.
- Modern Techniques: Improved soil management and multiple harvests per year.
- Biotechnology: Genetically modified crops (GMOs) increase productivity but require significant investment.
Market Effects
- High productivity can lower prices.
- Commercialization is faster.
- Large quantities allow for specialization.
- Negative effects include soil fertilization and water contamination.
- Subsidies in wealthy countries can disadvantage farmers in developing nations.
Agriculture in Developing Countries
Traditional Agriculture and Plantations
Traditional agriculture involves resource-poor farmers cultivating land for food. Plantation agriculture, common in tropical countries, focuses on export crops.
Plantations
- Located in tropical, often underdeveloped, countries.
- Historically significant (16th-19th centuries).
- Export-oriented, with good communication infrastructure.
- Large-scale operations requiring significant capital investment.
- Predominantly monoculture.
- Labor-intensive with low wages and temporary contracts.
- High productivity using advanced techniques.
- Economic benefits often accrue to foreign companies, leading to food imports.
- Intensive operations vulnerable to price fluctuations.
Traditional Agriculture
- Main objective: food for the family (subsistence).
- Small-scale, polyculture farms.
- Primitive tools and techniques, resulting in low productivity.
- Strong dependence on physical factors.
Livestock Farming
Livestock farming involves breeding animals for various purposes, including work, reproduction, and products (meat, milk, etc.). Common species include cattle, sheep, pigs, goats, horses, rabbits, poultry, and bees (apiculture). Livestock has traditionally complemented agriculture.
Scientific research has led to selected breeds with higher yields and disease resistance.
Types of Livestock Farming
- Extensive Ranching: Practiced in both developed and underdeveloped countries. Characterized by large farms, natural pastures, low labor investment, and low productivity. Beef cattle are common, destined for sale in developed countries and self-consumption in developing countries.
- Intensive Farming: Common in developed countries. Animals are raised in facilities, with high productivity. Feedlots are used to increase production. Cattle are fed natural grass and fodder (semi-stabled). Typical breeds include dairy and poultry, destined for markets.
Intensive farming is typical of developed countries. It is practiced in facilities, resulting in high productivity. Feedlots are used, where animals are kept in stables and fed to increase production. Cattle may be fed natural grassland as well as fodder (semi-stabled). Typical breeds include dairy and poultry, destined for markets.