Chapter 13: Patterns and Practices of Agricultural Production © National Geographic Learning, a Cengage Company 13.1 Agricultural Production Regions •

Agribusiness

The large-scale system that includes the production, processing, and distribution of agricultural products and equipment.

Cash Crop

A crop produced for its commercial value rather than for use by the grower.

Commodity Chain

A complex network that connects places of production with distribution to consumers.

Dual Agricultural Economy

Two agricultural sectors in the same country or region, including subsistence and commercial farming.

Fair Trade

A global campaign aimed at fixing unfair wage practices and ensuring farmers earn a living wage.

Farm Subsidy

Direct payments made by the government to farmers for growing certain crops or for not growing others.

Global Supply Chain

The networks that enable products to be delivered from one country to another on a global scale.

Hybrid

Varieties of plants bred to enhance desired characteristics and improve disease resistance.

Infrastructure

The networks and facilities necessary to participate in the global agricultural system, including roads and communication systems.

Tariff

A tax or duty on a particular import or export, raising the price of imported goods.

Vertical Integration

When a company controls more than one stage of the production process.

Von Thünen Model

A model explaining rural land use based on product perishability and transportation costs.

Economic Forces in Agriculture

Factors like cost of materials, availability of capital, and consumer preferences that influence agricultural practices.

Subsistence Agriculture

Farming that provides for the needs of the farmer only, with little surplus for sale or trade.

Commercial Agriculture

Farming that produces crops for sale in the market, typically employing modern technology and practices.

Labor Costs

The total costs incurred by a business for the labor used in production.

Consumer Preferences

The tastes and preferences of consumers that dictate demand for agricultural products.

Irrigation

The artificial application of water to the land to assist in the growth of crops.

Government Policies

Regulations and supports established by governments that significantly impact agricultural practices.

Population Shift

The movement of people from rural areas to urban areas, affecting agricultural land use.

Product Pricing

The determination of the price of agricultural goods based on supply and demand dynamics.

Commercial Producers

Farmers who cultivate crops primarily for sale and market distribution, often in core countries.

Sewage Systems

The systems necessary for the disposal and treatment of wastewater, ultimately part of infrastructure.

Perishable Products

Products that have a limited shelf life and require timely distribution to prevent spoilage.

Agricultural Interdependence

The reliance of countries on each other for food production and consumption due to global supply chains.

Monocropping

The agricultural practice of growing a single crop over a wide area for many consecutive years.

Trade Wars

Conflicts arising from the imposition of tariffs or trade barriers between countries.

Disease Resistance

The ability of plants to resist diseases, which can be enhanced through hybridization.

Payments to Farmers

Government financial assistance to farmers for supporting production of certain crops.

Core Countries

Countries that are economically dominant in agriculture, often exporting and importing a large share of agricultural goods.

Emerging Economies

Nations experiencing rapid economic growth and increasing importance in global agricultural production.

Fair Trade Products

Goods certified to meet specific social, economic, and environmental standards to promote fair practices.

Dietary Preferences

Changes in the kinds of foods that consumers desire, which can influence agricultural production.