The Evolution and Fundamentals of Global Agriculture

History of Agriculture

Agriculture is the cultivation of land to obtain food for human and animal consumption, as well as raw materials for industry. Agriculture emerged in the Neolithic period approximately 10,000 years ago. Significant changes began about 200 years ago; at the end of the 18th century, the United Kingdom initiated an agricultural revolution that rapidly transformed land ownership and farming methods. These changes increased production, leading to two primary consequences: a reduced need for rural labor and improved nutrition, which decreased mortality rates and caused the population to grow.

Physical Factors Influencing Agriculture

Climate

Each plant requires specific temperature and humidity conditions to thrive. Plants generally do not grow in areas with extreme temperatures (above 45°C or below -10°C) or where rainfall is either scarce or excessive.

Topography and Altitude

Latitude and terrain slope condition farming. Temperatures drop as altitude increases, which limits the development of certain species beyond specific elevations.

Soil Composition

The grain size, porosity, and oxygen levels of soil determine its ability to retain water. Each soil type has a biological and chemical composition that dictates its acidity and richness in nutrients and organic matter.

Human Factors in Agriculture

Agricultural development is influenced by several human factors:

• Population size
• Agricultural techniques
• Final destination of production
• Government policies

The Green Revolution

Born in the 1960s, the Green Revolution introduced modern agricultural techniques to underdeveloped countries.

Land Classification and Farming Systems

• Plot: Each of the divisions within agricultural space.
• Open fields: Agricultural areas that are not enclosed.
• Smallholdings: Farms consisting of small plots.
• Estates: Large-scale agricultural properties.
• Intensive agriculture: A system where the farmer seeks to maximize land output.
• Extensive farming: A system where plots are not fully exploited, leaving parts fallow to facilitate soil fertility recovery.
• Polyculture: The cultivation of different crop plants in the same space.
• Monoculture: The cultivation of a single crop product.