Agrarian and Rural Spaces: Activities, Factors, and Economies

Agrarian Space

It is the land where agrarian activities are undertaken.

Rural Space

It refers to the non-urban areas that are used for agrarian activities, amongst many other activities.

Agriculture

It is concerned with cultivating the soil and growing crops to obtain food and raw materials. It includes the preparation of plant products for people to use and their distribution to markets.

Livestock Farming

It is concerned with domesticated animals raised in an agricultural setting to produce commodities such as food, raw materials, and labor. It implies a commercial purpose, since animals are reared for financial gain.

Silviculture

It is concerned with the economic use of woodland. It provides food and raw materials for various industries.

Fishing

It is the activity that provides products from the sea. It provides food for people and raw materials for industry, such as tinned and frozen products, oils, flours, and fertilizers.

Physical Factors of Agrarian Activity

They condition agrarian activities and include climate, relief, and soil, among others.

Soil Characteristics

They are the soil's depth (deeper soils are more fertile), porosity (so that air reaches plants' roots), texture (capacity to retain water), acidity, and alkalinity (depending on this, soils may be toxic for plants).

Soil Structure

It is divided into:

• Bedrock: The lowest part, it constitutes the foundation of the soil.
• Broken Rock: It is the bedrock broken down into smaller pieces.
• Surface Soil: It provides plants with nutrients and minerals.
• Humus: The top layer, it is formed by decomposed organic matter and is essential for soil fertility, as it provides nitrogen and phosphorus.

Human Factors of Agrarian Activity

They condition agrarian activities and are: population, technological development, economic and social organization, and agrarian policies.

Technological Development in Traditional Societies

They use basic tools such as spades, hoes, sickles, and ploughs. Regarding farming techniques, sometimes the soil is farmed until it is exhausted, or a section of land is left fallow. Usually, natural fertilizers are used so the soil recovers its nutrients.

Technological Development in Advanced Societies

They use modern tools such as tractors, combine harvesters, and milking machines. Regarding farming techniques, chemical fertilizers are used, crops are irrigated with advanced systems, and pesticides are used.

Types of Agrarian Economies

There are two types:

• Subsistence Economies: Which produce what they need.
• Market Economies: That sell what they produce.

Social Organization of Agrarian Activities

It refers to property and exploitation. In terms of property, land can be private or collective. In terms of exploitation, it can be direct if landowners or their employees work the land themselves, or indirect if the owner allows a tenant or partner to work the land.