Global Agricultural Systems and Production Factors

Factors Influencing Agricultural Production

Natural Factors

• Climate

  Determines the type of crop suitable for the region.

• Topography

  Steep slopes make work difficult and can impede mechanization.

• Soil Type

  Composition determines fertility; not all soils are equally suitable for the same crops.

Human Factors

• Population Pressure

  Increased population can drive the need to cultivate more land.

• Tradition

  Influences the type of products grown and cultivation methods.

• Cultivation Techniques

  Technological development has overcome environmental difficulties.

• Government Action

  Provides grants or subsidies to encourage the growth of specific products.

Crop Characteristics and Land Use

Crop Performance and Yield

• Types of Cultivation

  Includes field crops, bushes, and trees.

• Crop Variety

  • Polyculture: Growing several types of products simultaneously.
  • Monoculture: Growing only one product.

• Land Yield Intensity

  • Intensive Farming: Heavy investments (e.g., seeds, fertilizer) are made for maximum performance per unit area.
  • Extensive Farming: Focuses on reducing production costs over large areas.

• Cropping Systems

  Can be rainfed (dryland) or irrigated.

Division of Land

• By Size

  • Latifundia (Large Estates): Large plots of land.
  • Minifundia (Smallholdings): Small plots of land.

• By Shape

  Regular or irregular plots.

• By Boundaries

  Open fields or closed fields (Bocage).

Major Agricultural Systems

Shifting Cultivation (Slash-and-Burn)

• Subsistence agriculture practiced in parts of Africa and South America.
• Based on burning vegetation; soils are depleted quickly, requiring frequent relocation.

Extensive Dryland Farming

• Subsistence agriculture common in the southern half of Africa, Central, and Eastern South America.
• Arable land is divided into parcels, with one left fallow to recover soil naturally.
• Livestock provides manure (fertilizer).

Monsoon Rice Agriculture

• Practiced in climates with abundant rainfall and high population pressure.
• Highly intensive agriculture due to efficient land use.
• Requires meticulous work and specialized tools.

Plantation Agriculture

• Monoculture focused on tropical products for export.
• Huge tracts of land owned by large multinational corporations.
• Employs a large workforce at low wages.

Technified Cereal Agriculture

• Extensive, high-performance agriculture (e.g., U.S. Great Plains).
• High productivity achieved with minimal labor input.

Atlantic Agriculture

• Characterized by high productivity and modern technology, resulting in high yields.
• Focuses on products suitable for mechanization or high-value crops.

Modern Mediterranean Agriculture

• Utilizes both rain-fed and irrigated methods.
• Features large areas dedicated to fruit trees and specialized crops.

Livestock Farming Systems

Extensive Traditional Livestock

• Practiced in areas with extreme climates where crop farming is impossible (very dry or very cold regions).
• High yields are obtained in areas with abundant grazing land.

Modern Intensive Livestock Farming

• Practiced in developed countries, achieving high performance.
• Uses advanced technology and requires significant investment.
• Includes specialized cattle ranching operations.

Forestry Management

• The management and exploitation of forests.
• Environmental importance: protects against soil erosion, regulates climate, and provides habitat for many living things.
• Deforestation and forest losses are often mitigated through reforestation and commercial plantations.