I. Introduction
Maybe you have been thinking of how your plate of food arrives at your table. Or how human beings have been able to cater for the needs of billions of people across the world? The answer lies in a single word: farming Agriculture The development of civilization The positive impacts of agriculture include bringing about the development of civilization. Well, let me explain what agriculture actually is and why it occupies such a prominent place in people’s life.
Here, in this article, you will find out the basic understanding of what agriculture is and some of the structures on this venture. Beginning with primitive processes of farming up to the present methods, we will discover the exciting history of how mankind has developed its way of managing the soil for the benefits of the increasing population.
II. The Basics of Agriculture
A. Etymology of the word “agriculture”
To begin with it will be necessary to analyze the composition of this very word. The term “Agriculture” has Latin root words “ager “ which means field and “cultura “ which means cultivation. In ordinary words, agriculture means the process of farming the soil.
B. Historical context
Agriculture that has been in existence for thousands of years. That is not only a practice but a revolution which completely changed the way people live. From a group of people who moved from one place to another to hunt and get food for their families, to farmers who cultivated land, that led to the formation of civilization as it is today.
III. Core Components of Agriculture
A. Crop cultivation
We claim that at its root, agriculture is fundamentally about the cultivating plants for food, fibre and other purposes. This includes choosing the appropriate seeds, clearing the ground, sowing and then cultivating the plants and in the end reaping what has been cultivated.
B. Animal husbandry
It’s not a secret that agriculture isn’t limited to plants only. It also covers animal farming for mutation, milk, poultry, and other animal inputs An example is Tyson Foods Company. This aspect of agriculture involves information regarding breeding, feeding and general management of animals.
C. Soil management
Good farming starts right from the ground level and that is the basis of farming. A good soil management means the land should be made ready for production every farming year and should be made ready for production all the time.
IV. Types of Agriculture
A. Subsistence agriculture
Just envision having enough crops to feed one’s family only especially after experiencing the previous year’s dry spell. That said, that’s what subsistence agriculture is all about. It is nowadays exercised in many countries and aims at satisfying the essentials needs of the people and not at making money.
B. Commercial agriculture
At the other end, we have the commercial agriculture. This type of farming is whereby individuals want to grow crops or rear animals for the market or sale.
C. Intensive vs. extensive agriculture
Intensive agriculture can be described as farming when all the processes are simply exaggerated like it is done on steroids. This hitches returns from the determined land space in a status that hyperuses input such as fertilizer, pesticide among other necessities. While intensive agriculture requires small parcels of land but with high input density, extensive agriculture involve large parcels of land and with low input density.
V. The Role of Technology in Modern Agriculture
A. Precision farming
Introducing the concept of smart farming that is rapidly entering our field! one—to—one agriculture employs similar technologies such as the Global positioning System, sensors, and the data processing System for better crop yields and minimal wastage.
B. Genetic modification
There have been heated debates about the process of genetic modified though it has been made possible to develop crops which can be referred to as resistant crops to pests, diseases and the natural calamities.
C. Sustainable practices
Due to a growing consciousness of the people concerning the environment, an increased practice of sustainable agriculture is being developed. The idea of sustainable management is to ensure that our current generation’s needs depend on the resources to be used in satisfying the needs of the coming generations.
VI. Economic Impact of Agriculture
A. Global food security
It is not just production of crops and rearing of animals, but producing enough to feed the empty stomachs of the people in this world. It can be considered as one of the main principles of universal food security.
B. Employment and livelihoods
Ranging from many small scale producers to the agricultural scientists, the industry offers means of earning to so many people in the world.
C. International trade
Foreign produce or agricultural products are relevant in global markets with alot of interaction between countries due to their imposition on the global economy and politics.
VII. Environmental Aspects of Agriculture
A. Land use and deforestation
That is the problem since as our demand for agricultural land rises, pressure on natural environments increases as well. Sustainability is perhaps one of the most difficult things humanity has ever had to deal with especially in the context of food production.
B. Water management
Today, Global agriculture is the biggest user of freshwater sources across the world. After taking stock of water usage in agriculture, it has clearly emerged that wise use of water is vital in food production.
C. Climate change and agriculture
It’s a two-way street: On one hand, agriculture has been identified as a source of contribution to climate change while on the other extreme, it has been greatly influenced by the same all over the world. To avoid these impacts, people in the field of agricultural research have devoted their efforts towards managing these consequences.
VIII. The Future of Agriculture
A. Vertical farming
It is possible to conceive buildings, such as skyscrapers, in which floors are effectively turned into farms with produce being grown under the light of LEDs. That is something that can be achieved by vertical farming, a technology that may soon change the way food is grown in the cities.
B. Urban agriculture
Sky gardens, local micro-farms, and even some commercial centres, edible landscaping is fast becoming the new order in city life.
C. Agroecology
This concept of framing system is an integrated one that is favoring yield increase while at the same time taking care of environment and social impacts.
IX. Conclusion
Finally, what is the straightforward description of the concept of agriculture? In its simplest meaning, agriculture is the science of producing food, fodder, fiber and other crops for man and livestock. However, as we have seen, it involves much more than that and every investor and especially anyone who intends to venture into the business should ensure that they understand all the aspects of this form of business. This is a system of enormous scope which interacts with almost every sphere of society including with food, clothes, economies, and environments.
This growth will come with the realities of feeding the increasing population worldwide amid encouraging a changing climate, agriculture will undergo changes. Knowing its concepts and recognizing adaptions, we envision a sustainable agriculture to produce for the world’s consumption without considering the environment’s capacity.
X. FAQs
- What are the major sub-disciplines of agriculture?
Major divisions of agriculture are agronomy (cultivation of field crops), horticulture (growing of fruits and vegetables), Animal Husbandry (rearing of animals or livestock) and Forestry. - Conversely, what does agriculture do to environment?
It is evident that agriculture as a sector has a potential of benefiting or harming the environment. It may result to issues such as deforestation, soil erosion, and water pollution but it also assists in issues such as carbon capture as well as conservation of species. - What is the difference between organic farming and nonorganic farming?
The organic farming shuns the use of chemical fertilizers and spraying of chemicals for pest control among others. Such synthetic input can be used by conventional agriculture to get the highest yield possible. - What can technologies in agriculture be used for?
Technology is the key driver in agriculture today through development of enhanced practices such as precision farming, genetic modification, mechanized equipment and computerized decision making. - What is sustainable agriculture?
Sustainable agriculture is, therefore, the management and production of crops, animals and other resources to satisfy the present generations’ needs without neglecting the future generations’ needs. Since it mainly deals with the welfare of environment, economic-profitability and social equity.
