Key Concepts in Economics and Production Systems

Economic and Agricultural Concepts

Gross National Product (GNP)

A term used in economics to reflect the monetary value of the annual flow of goods and services.

Polyculture

The cultivation of various plant species on the same farm.

Artisan and Industrial Production

Production is the technical transformation of one good into another, including all changes that increase the utility of goods.

• Artisanal: Characterized by a predominance of manual labor and small firm size.
• Industrial production: Joint processing of goods by mechanical means.

Production in Series

A production system in which each worker or group of workers deals with one specific aspect of the finished product.

Transport Networks

All circulation systems for both passengers and goods, which serve as the elements upon which a territory is structured.

Localized Irrigation (Drip and Spray)

An irrigation system that saves water and best fits crops that are widely separated. Water is delivered directly to the desired location.

• Drip: Water is circulated at low pressure through tubes suspended or at ground level, with small holes.
• Spraying: More expensive than drip irrigation; water is circulated at high pressure through small openings (sprinklers) arranged at a certain height, falling like rain.

Traditional Irrigation

Also known as surface irrigation, where water flows over the surface of the soil. Types include:

• Submersion: Flat land is flooded for a period of time (e.g., paddy fields).
• Overflow: Water is distributed via ditches on slopes, spreading out over the ground.
• Infiltration: The field is worked into ridges, and water is distributed through channels between them to allow for infiltration.

Irrigated vs. Dry Land Farming

• Irrigated: The provision of water to a cultivated field to offset water inadequacy and encourage the full development of plants.
• Dryland: Cropland that has no irrigation and relies solely on rainwater.

Public Deficit

In economic terms, this is the negative difference between income and expenditure recorded by a public administration over a period of time.

Offshoring

The shifting of production to other territories; also known as industrial relocation or moving manufacturing lines beyond national borders.

Currency

The money of a country viewed in relation to other currencies. The term also designates all payments made in foreign currency.

Alternative and Renewable Energy

Energy sources that have continuous regeneration and are considered inexhaustible, despite fluctuations in intensity. Types include: solar, wind, hydro, geothermal, tidal, and biomass.