Key Factors Influencing Agricultural Productivity

Human Factors in Agriculture

• Population: Size leads to larger areas of cultivation and competition for land.
• Farming techniques: In developed countries, modern techniques, which include mechanization and fertilizers, have increased production. In less developed countries, traditional techniques keep production lower.
• Final destination of production: In subsistence agriculture, the farm family cultivates all they can; production is intended for their consumption. In contrast, commercial agriculture often specializes in one crop, and production is intended for sale. To minimize the cost of transportation and keep products fresh, cultivation should be near markets.
• Globalization: Economic globalization means countries can sell their production to other countries. Producers must compete in quality and price, which leads to intensive production techniques.
• Agricultural policies: Governments influence agriculture with agricultural reform laws, hydrological plans for irrigating new land, economic aid to farmers (to help buy materials and machinery), production quotas, and occasionally, restrictions on imports.
• Environmental policies: These aim to protect the environment and guarantee safe, healthy food. Policies regulate irrigation, the use of fertilizers and pesticides, and the treatment of waste.

Physical Factors in Agriculture

• Climate: Some crops grow better in one climatic zone than in others. In general, plants cannot grow in areas with very high temperatures (above 45°C) or very low ones (below 10°C). They also cannot grow in areas with too little or too much rain.
• Landscape: Relief (altitude and the gradient of the terrain) influences agricultural activity. At higher altitudes, temperatures descend, which limits species development. Gradients of terrain above 10° make it impossible to cultivate the land. Consequently, agriculture usually takes place on plains or in valleys. However, where it is necessary, hard work can transform mountainsides into cultivated land.
• Soil: Plants need soil with certain characteristics. The grain size and porosity of soil affect the amount of oxygen the soil contains and its ability to retain water. The chemical and biological composition of soil determines its degree of acidity and the quantity of mineral nutrients and organic matter.