Agriculture: History, Factors, and Modern Systems

History of Agriculture

Agriculture, the practice of cultivating land to obtain food, appeared in the Neolithic period. In the late 18th century, the UK experienced an agricultural revolution. This led many peasants (campesinos) to move to cities in search of work, starting a slow process of rural depopulation.

Agriculture Today

• Developed Countries: Agriculture employs less than 5% of the active population and achieves high productivity.
• Underdeveloped Countries: Agriculture employs the majority of the population, often using traditional farming techniques, resulting in low productivity.

Factors Influencing Agricultural Use

Physical Factors

• Climate: Each plant requires specific temperature and humidity conditions to grow.
• Relief: Altitude and the slope (latitude) of the terrain affect suitability.
• Soil: Each plant needs a soil type with adequate properties.

Human Factors

• Population Volume: The number of people influences demand and labor availability.
• Agricultural Techniques: Methods used impact efficiency and yield.
• Production Fate: Whether crops are for subsistence or market sale.
• Agricultural Policy: Government regulations and support systems.

Elements of Agricultural Landscapes

• Plots: Each distinct area into which agricultural space is divided.
  • Layout: Open fields (openfield) or enclosed fields (bocage).
  • Size: Smallholdings (small plots) or large estates (large plots).
• Grade of Plot Use:
  • Intensive: Continuous cultivation.
  • Extensive: May include fallow periods (leaving land uncultivated).
• Irrigation System:
  • Irrigated: Artificial water supply.
  • Rainfed: Relies solely on rainfall.
• Cultivated Species:
  • Polyculture: Growing multiple crop types together.
  • Monoculture: Growing a single crop type.
• Habitat and Road Network:
  • Settlement Pattern: Concentrated (villages) or dispersed (isolated farms).

Market Agriculture in Developed Countries

Characteristics

The goal is to achieve maximum profit through several means:

• Specialization of production.
• Mechanization of fieldwork.
• Application of modern cultivation techniques.

All this requires large capital investments.

Effects

• High productivity can lead to lower prices.
• Faster marketing and distribution chains.
• Development of specialized agricultural trades and services.
• Negative Impacts: Fertilizers can cause pollution. Agricultural subsidies can disadvantage producers in poorer countries trying to compete.

Agriculture in Underdeveloped Countries

Often characterized by the coexistence of plantations and traditional agriculture.

Plantation Agriculture

Characteristics

• Commercial agriculture primarily intended for exportation.
• Typically involves large estates (latifundia).
• Requires large capital investment.
• Often focuses on monoculture (e.g., coffee, sugar, bananas).
• Labor-intensive.
• Aims for high productivity using available technical means.

Problems

• Profits often benefit foreign firms rather than the local economy.
• Focus on export crops can lead to some countries needing to import staple foods.
• Can involve very intense exploitation of land and labor.
• Vulnerable to global price fluctuations; if prices fall, plantations may close.

Traditional Agriculture

Characteristics

• Primarily subsistence agriculture (growing food for personal/local consumption).
• Takes place on small farms (minifundia).
• Often involves mixed farming (polyculture and livestock).
• Uses traditional, often primitive, cultivation techniques and tools.
• Characterized by low productivity.
• Heavy reliance on physical factors (climate, soil).