What is Agriculture?
Self explanatory term…with latin roots…ager (field) + cultura (cultivating or growing).
In simple words agriculture is growing of crops and rearing of animals. It is the science, art, and business of cultivating the soil, crop production and rearing and management of livestock.
A much broader definition could also include –
- Cultivating fungi and other life forms for food
- Beekeeping
- Commercial farms or other activities for production of food, fiber, horticultural products and raising livestock using soil and water resources.
- Farm input suppliers and Produce marketing and distribution….These are considered as an extension of agricultural activities but are typically classified under the broader category named as agribusiness rather than in the base category
So, while speaking broadly we can consider that, it is more than just the cultivation and harvesting of crops or raising of the livestock. It involves a comprehensive approach that includes both the production and the marketing of farm products….at the local market or globally.
What agriculture does not include are…industries which use biomass as raw material like paper industry, in livestock horse stables, forestry, fishing, any type of non-food animal care, activities related to environment conservation etc. Now days, it is emerging concept to arrange farms as picnic spots, to give the experience of farm lifestyle – agri-entertainment. It does not come under the scope of agriculture either.
Types of agriculture
When it comes to the types, there are various ways to classify it, depending on environmental conditions, available resources, purpose or economic goals. Each way of classification offers a different viewpoint on how farming methods can be arranged and understood. Study of different ways to classify agriculture, help us to see the variety of farming methods used around the world and understand how different factors affect how food is grown and shared.
Here we will see the simplest division of farming practices, based on the approaches followed for the agricultural production.