Agriculture
Factors influencing agriculture and types of agriculture
Definition
1.
2.
3.
Agriculture is the art and science of
cultivating crops and rearing animals.
It is a primary activity where in the
products come directly from the land
It provides food, and materials for
clothing and shelter thereby, sustaining
life.
Factors influencing
agriculture
1.
Climate: Temperature and rainfall of a
place determines the crops grown
Example- Rice needs a hot and wet
climate while wheat requires a cooler and
drier climate.
2. Soil
Soil is the thin fertile layer of the
Earth’s crust on which plants, trees and
crops grow.
Examples: Rice grows best in alluvial
soil, cotton in black soil and wheat in
chernozem,
3. Terrain/ Relief/
Topography
Plains are the ideal landscape for
crop cultivation. However, it is also
grown on the slopes of mountains.
Example- Rice and wheat needs a flat
terrain while coffee and tea needs a
sloping ground.
4. Availability of water
All crops need water for its growth and
survival. Different crops have different
requirements for water.
Example: Rice needs more water than millets
(jowar, bajra and ragi).
5. Distance from the
market
Perishable commodities (certain fruits and
vegetables, milk) are located near to the
market while non-perishable items (grains) are
located away from it.
Types of agriculture
1.
Shifting Farming/ Slash & Burn/
Jhum,
2.
Subsistence Farming/ Self-sufficient,
3.
Intensive Farming,
4.
Extensive/ Commercial Farming,
5.
Plantation Farming
6.
Mixed Farming
Shifting Farming
Shifting farming is also known as slash and burn
farming.
In North-east India, it is known as Jhum cultivation.
A patch of land is first cleared and burnt.
The ash is scattered to increase the soil fertility.
The farmer abandons the land after the land loses
its fertility.
Crops like cassava, tapioca, yam etc. are grown.
Subsistence Farming
Subsistence farming is also known as
self-sufficient farming.
It is practised on a small plot of land to satisfy the
family needs.
Surplus is not produced and there is no profit.
Simple agricultural tools- plough, sickle etc. are
used.
It is practised in India and African countries.
Intensive Farming
Size of farm is small yet farmers use fertilisers and
high quality seeds (HYV- High Yielding Variety of
seeds).
Irrigation method is adopted.
Surplus produce is sold in the market to earn profit.
It is practised in Southeast Asia.
Extensive Farming
It is also known as Commercial Farming.
Farm size is large.
Fertilisers, machineries and irrigation methods are
used.
The main purpose is to earn profit.
It also includes ranching (rearing of livestock on large
farms).
It is practised in parts of USA, Brazil, Argentina, China,
Europe etc.
Plantation Farming
Only a single crop is cultivated on a large
farm.
Commercial farming is carried out to
generate profit.
It is typically practised in tropical areas
with high temperature and high rainfall.
It requires a huge capital investment.
It employs skilled, semi-skilled and
unskilled labour.
Crops grown are tea, coffee, cocoa,
rubber, sugar-cane etc.
Farming Tools
Plough
Sickle
Hoe
Axe