Essential Agricultural Systems and Rural Development Terms

Core Agricultural and Rural Development Concepts

Irrigated Agriculture

Irrigated agriculture is the provision of large quantities of water to crops through various artificial methods of irrigation. This practice requires large investments. Notable examples include the production of fruits, vegetables, and sugar beets.

Extensive Agriculture

Extensive agriculture refers to the cultivation of land based on large surfaces and low yields. It is typically located on large lots in regions with low population density. It requires intensive labor but does not require much investment.

Intensive Agriculture

Intensive agriculture is a method designed to extract as much product as possible per unit area. It utilizes small land sizes and intensive labor to obtain high yields.

Partnership

A partnership is a social arrangement between a landowner and a tenant. In this society, expenses are shared equally, and profits are divided according to an established proportion.

Fallow

Fallow is an agricultural practice of allowing land to rest for a period to regenerate organic matter lost during the previous harvest.

Industrial Crops

Industrial crops are products intended for non-food use, such as flax, grapes, and cotton.

Dehesa

A dehesa is a harvesting farm that integrates livestock, agriculture, and forestry. These elements are complementary. They are usually large estates found mainly in Andalusia, Extremadura, and the two Castiles.

Sustainable Development

Sustainable development is a term indicating the intention to reconcile economic growth with respect for the natural environment. It is a form of development that meets present needs without compromising the ability of future generations.

Rural Exodus

The rural exodus is the movement of labor from rural communities to cities, occurring as a result of rural crises and industrial development in urban areas.

Exploitation

Exploitation is understood from an economic point of view as a set of resources managed to make a profit. This may include mining, agriculture, or livestock.

Livestock Farming

Livestock farming (extensive) is a type of animal husbandry which uses a lot of land and low labor, resulting in a low economic return.

Concentrated Habitat

A concentrated habitat is a type of settlement characterized by the close proximity of houses to one another.

Dispersed Habitat

A dispersed habitat is a type of settlement characterized by the significant distance between homes.

Latifundio

A latifundio is an exploitation of wide scope. These estates are generally considered to be farms that exceed 250 hectares.

Smallholder

A smallholder refers to the small size of a rural property. These are usually considered small farms with between 0 and 5 acres.

Monoculture

Monoculture is an economic term that can refer to one of the three economic sectors. This type of exploitation occurs when a system is specialized in a single product.

CAP

The CAP stands for the Common Agricultural Policy.

Farm Plot

A farm plot is the minimum size or unit of agricultural land.

Transport Network

Transport networks are systems that allow the transfer of persons or goods from one place to another.

Herding

Herding refers to livestock practices consisting of the displacement of pastoralists and their herds from one region to another, depending on the seasons.

Second Home

A second home is a residence that is not the usual home. It is usually located in a different place and is used occasionally for leisure, tourism, or relaxation.

Intensive Farming

Intensive farming involves the breeding, feeding, and care of animals for human use on small farms with significant inputs added.