Introduction to Agriculture
History of Agriculture
Agriculture, the cultivation of land for food and raw materials, dates back to the Neolithic period. In the late eighteenth century, an agricultural revolution began, marked by rapid changes in land ownership and farming practices. This revolution had two main consequences: reduced labor needs in agriculture, and improved nutrition leading to lower mortality rates and population growth. Many farmers migrated to cities in search of work, initiating a gradual depopulation of rural areas, which intensified between the mid-nineteenth and twentieth centuries.
Agriculture in the News
The percentage of the population working in agriculture continues to decline in most countries.
- In developed countries, agriculture employs less than 5% of the workforce. However, agricultural productivity in these countries is high.
- Developing countries account for nearly 80% of the global agricultural workforce. In the poorest nations, agriculture employs the majority of the population. The use of traditional farming techniques results in low productivity.
Physical Factors in Agriculture
- Climate: Each plant requires specific temperature and humidity conditions for growth.
- Relief: Altitude and slope influence farming practices.
- Soil: Each plant needs soil with suitable characteristics.
Human Factors in Agriculture
- Population: The need to feed a growing population often leads to the expansion of cultivated land and the adoption of techniques to improve land productivity.
- Farming Techniques: The techniques employed determine the yield of cultivated land.
- Production Destination: In subsistence agriculture, the farmer’s family consumes the entire production. Market-oriented agriculture may specialize in one or a few products intended for sale.
- Agricultural Policies: Governments play a crucial role in shaping agriculture through measures such as land reform laws, irrigation projects, financial aid to farmers, and production quotas.
Elements of the Agricultural Landscape
Cultivating land transforms the natural landscape, creating diverse agricultural landscapes.
- Plots: These are the individual units that make up the agricultural area.
- Openfield: When plots are not enclosed by fences, the landscape is referred to as openfield.
- Bocage: A landscape dominated by fenced plots is called bocage.
- Smallholding/Large Estates: Small plots are characteristic of smallholdings, while large estates have extensive plots.
- Land Use Intensity: Intensive farming aims to maximize land use.
- Extensive Farming: In extensive farming, not all land is cultivated; some is left fallow.
- Irrigation:
- Rainfed Agriculture: Crops rely solely on rainfall.
- Irrigated Agriculture: Farmers provide water through artificial irrigation systems.
- Cultivated Species:
- Polyculture: Different plants are grown in the same area.
- Monoculture: Only one crop is grown on the farm.
- Settlement Patterns: The agricultural landscape also varies depending on whether human settlements are concentrated or dispersed.
Types of Agriculture
Plantation Agriculture
Common in developing, typically tropical countries, plantation agriculture focuses on market production for export. It usually involves large estates, requires significant capital investment, predominantly employs monoculture, utilizes abundant labor, and has high productivity. Intensive techniques are applied. If prices fall, the farm may face closure.
Traditional Agriculture
This is a subsistence agriculture practiced on small properties. Polyculture is common, and farming relies on primitive tools and techniques. Productivity is low, and there is a strong dependence on physical factors.
Shifting Cultivation
The most archaic system, shifting cultivation is found in the tropics. It is a subsistence, extensive, and low-productivity form of agriculture.
Livestock
Livestock farming involves raising animals for various purposes. Examples include rabbit breeding (cuniculture), poultry farming (aviculture), and beekeeping (apiculture).
Extensive Livestock
Typical of large farms where animals graze freely on natural pastures. It requires low investment but has low productivity. Cattle and sheep farming are characteristic examples.
Intensive Livestock
Practiced in developed countries, intensive livestock farming involves specialized operations, high investment, and high productivity. Animals are often kept in confinement. Common types include cattle, pig, and poultry farming, with production geared towards the market.
Fishing
Fishing is the capture of fish and other aquatic animals in seas, rivers, or lakes.
- Coastal Fishing: Carried out near the coast using small boats and traditional methods. Catches are primarily for local consumption.
- Inshore Fishing: Done close to the shore with small to medium-sized boats and various fishing gear.
- Offshore Fishing: Takes place far from the coast using large vessels equipped with modern technology. Many of these vessels have facilities for processing and freezing the catch.
- Fisheries: Identifying areas with high concentrations of fish.
- Terraces: Cultivating crops on sloped terrain.