U5 HGAP

Agriculture

The deliberate modification of Earth’s surface through cultivation of plants and rearing of animals for sustenance or economic gain.

Arable land

Land suitable for farming.

Crop

Any plant cultivated by people.

Agribusiness

Commercial agriculture characterized by integration of different steps in food processing/distribution.

First Agricultural Revolution (Neolithic Revolution)

Began around 10,000 years ago transitioning society from hunting and gathering to farming.

Hearths of Agriculture

Major independent origins of agriculture located in Southwest Asia, East Asia, South Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, and Latin America.

Seed agriculture

Agriculture that involves planting seeds (dominant in Eastern Hemisphere).

Vegetative planting

Agriculture involving cloning plants (common in tropics).

Subsistence Agriculture

Agriculture aimed at feeding the farmer and their family with little surplus.

Intensive Subsistence Agriculture

Farming that involves small plots and high labor, often featuring wet rice dominant regions.

Shifting Cultivation

A type of agriculture involving slash-and-burn techniques where land is cleared, farmed, and then abandoned.

Pastoral Nomadism

A form of subsistence agriculture involving herding animals and seasonal migration, typically in arid regions.

Commercial Agriculture

Large-scale agricultural production primarily for sale, prevalent in More Developed Countries (MDCs).

Mixed Crop & Livestock

A commercial farming system where crops feed animals and animals provide fertilizer.

Dairy Farming

A form of farming close to urban areas that produces perishable items such as milk and cheese.

Von Thünen Model

A model explaining agricultural land use around a city based on transportation costs, structured in concentric rings.

Second Agricultural Revolution

A revolution in the 1700s that involved improved agricultural technology and significant increases in productivity.

Third Agricultural Revolution (Green Revolution)

Initiated in the 1960s, it involved the use of high-yield seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, and irrigation to boost food production.

Feminization of Agriculture

The increasing role and proportion of women in agricultural production, especially prevalent in developing countries.

Food Security

The ability to access sufficient food to meet dietary needs.

Sustainable Agriculture

Farming practices aimed at protecting the environment while maintaining productivity.

Cash Crops vs Food Crops

Cash crops are grown for sale while food crops are cultivated for local consumption.

Challenges in Agriculture

Key issues include limited access to resources, legal barriers, and environmental impacts such as soil erosion and water depletion.