Agriculture and Livestock: Types, Systems and Factors of Production

Agriculture and Livestock Farming

Agriculture is a set of techniques used to grow plants to obtain food, raw materials for energy, clothing, construction, etc.

Livestock farming is an art used to domesticate and raise animals for food and economic purposes.

The Green Revolution

The Green Revolution was based on the intensive use of agrochemicals and the genetic improvement of cultivated species, which led to a major increase in food production.

Factors Influencing Production

Production is influenced by:

• Physical factors: soil fertility, topography, water availability;
• Economic factors: technological development and capitalization;
• Social factors: land structure and labor laws;
• Environmental factors.

Types of Agriculture

Intensive Agriculture

Intensive agriculture is a system used on properties that invest heavily in production means. It uses little manual labor, and the means available on the market make it the most productive system.

Extensive Agriculture

Extensive agriculture is a system practiced on properties with traditional agriculture, low technology, little soil preparation and low-quality seeds. It generates low productivity indices and is often called rough farming. It is typically linked to family subsistence.

Itinerant Agriculture

Itinerant agriculture is typical of agricultural regions where the activity is descapitalized and carried out on small properties. It is a slash-and-burn form of farming. Traditional techniques are outdated, and with low yields, farmers clear forests and nearby areas and burn them to accelerate planting, degrading a new area. When the soil is exhausted, the farmer abandons the area and tries to repeat the process elsewhere. This is why it is called itinerant.

Gardening Agriculture

Gardening agriculture is typical of South and Southeast Asia, where rice is commonly produced. It is practiced on small properties. With few workers and high productivity, it uses selected seeds, fertilizers, etc.

Types of Livestock Farming

Intensive Livestock Farming

Intensive livestock farming is the most developed system, using advanced technological resources. The fattening time is short, as animals receive balanced feed prepared as rations. The main animals raised are pigs and cattle.

Extensive Livestock Farming

In extensive livestock farming, cattle are raised loose on pasture with little care. The fattening time is long. There are no veterinarians, and the lack of care often results in animal deaths.