APHG - Chp 10.3

Agricultural Regions in Developing World

Five agricultural regions identified in Less Developed Countries (LDCs): 1. Pastoral Nomadism/Nomadic Herding 2. Shifting Cultivation 3. Intensive Subsistence, wet rice dominant 4. Intensive Subsistence, crops other than rice 5. Plantation.

Pastoral Nomadism

Extensive subsistence agriculture based on nomads herding their domesticated animals, primarily in dry climates.

Shifting Cultivation

Extensive agriculture practice in Latin America, SE Asia, and sub-Saharan Africa, using slash-and-burn techniques and crop rotation.

Intensive Subsistence Agriculture

Farming focused on small plots of land, primarily feeding families directly, with rice as the dominant crop in certain regions.

Plantation Farming

Intensive commercial farming in developing countries specializing in one or two crops, often requiring brought-in labor.

Agricultural Regions in Developed World

Six agricultural regions identified in More Developed Countries (MDCs): 1. Mixed Crop and Livestock 2. Commercial Gardening/Market Gardening 3. Dairying 4. Grain 5. Mediterranean 6. Ranching.

Mixed Crop and Livestock Farming

The most common commercial agriculture in the U.S. and Europe, involving crops grown to feed livestock.

Commercial Gardening

Large-scale operations focused on fruits and vegetables, often referred to as truck farming.

Dairy Farming

A highly perishable product requiring proximity to metro areas due to the milkshed; labor-intensive and requiring frequent milking.

Grain Farming

Primarily focuses on wheat production, employing heavy machinery and aimed at human consumption.

Mediterranean Agriculture

Characterized by moist sea winds, hot dry summers, and diverse crop growth, particularly fruits and vegetables.

Livestock Ranching

Commercial grazing of livestock over extensive areas, often in arid or semi-arid climates.

Climate Influence on Agriculture

Different climates (dry, wet, cold, warm, tropical) impact what crops can be successfully grown in a given region.

Cultural Preferences in Agriculture

Variations in agricultural practices due to cultural beliefs, such as the absence of hog production in Muslim countries.

Extensive Agriculture

Agricultural systems that require large land areas with low input of labor and capital, such as Pastoral Nomadism and Shifting Cultivation.

Intensive Agriculture

Farming systems that utilize high inputs of labor and capital on smaller plots of land, maximizing output per area.

Sustainable Agriculture

Farming practices that meet current food needs without compromising future generation's ability to produce food.

Crop Rotation

The agricultural technique of alternating crops on the same land to maintain soil health.