Primary Sector and Agriculture: Systems, Landscapes and Farming Practices
Summary
This document introduces the primary sector and the activities that obtain food and raw materials from nature, including agriculture, livestock, fishing and forestry. It explains the factors that condition farming (weather, relief and soil), the features of agricultural landscapes, and the main cultivation systems and rural settlement patterns. It also covers subsistence and market agriculture and how mechanization and specialization shaped them.
Key points
- The primary sector includes agriculture, livestock, fishing and forestry, all based on obtaining products directly from nature.
- Weather, relief and soil (texture and acidity) are the key factors that condition farming activities.
- Openfield landscapes have open, regular plots and are common in Central Europe, while bocage landscapes have large, irregular plots enclosed by walls or hedges and are typical of Atlantic Europe.
- Polyculture grows several species at once, while monoculture grows a single product over a large area.
- Intensive agriculture is found in densely populated areas with small plots and much manual labor, while extensive agriculture is found in sparsely populated areas and relies mainly on machines.
- Shifting cultivation by cremation uses ash as fertilizer and makes fields productive for about 3 to 4 years.
- Market agriculture began in developed countries with the Industrial Revolution and aims to increase sales and reduce costs through mechanization and specialization.
The Primary Sector: Core Activities
The primary sector comprises activities focused on obtaining food and raw materials directly from nature. This includes:
- Agriculture: Cultivation of crops.
- Livestock: Rearing of animals.
- Fishing: Harvesting aquatic life.
- Forestry: Management of forests for timber and other products. This sector currently accounts for approximately 39% of forestry activities.
Farming Activities and Influencing Factors
Farming activities hold a very important place for the population and are conditioned by several key factors:
Weather
Each crop requires specific climatic conditions, including temperature and humidity, for optimal development.
Relief
Agriculture is typically easier in wide plains. Slopes make work more difficult and often require the construction of terraces or the use of specialized mechanization.
Soil
Soil quality depends on its texture (which affects water retention) and acidity (which conditions fertility).
Agricultural Landscape Features
Agricultural landscapes are natural landscapes modified by human activity to obtain various products. They can be characterized by:
Site: Farmland Division
This refers to the division of farmland dedicated to cultivation.
- Open Fields (Openfield): Characterized by open, regular patches of land, common in Central Europe.
- Closed Fields (Bocage): Large, irregular parcels of land, often enclosed by walls or hedges, typical of Atlantic Europe.
Cultivation Systems
- Polyculture: An agricultural area divided into plots where different species are cultivated simultaneously.
- Monoculture: The cultivation of a single product over a large area.
Water Source & Soil Use
According to Water Source
- Irrigation: Water is supplied from underground sources or reservoirs.
- Dryland Farming (Secano): Relies solely on rainwater.
According to Soil Use
- Intensive Agriculture: Practiced in densely populated areas with small land plots and properties. It requires significant use of fertilizers and much manual labor, typically producing fruits and vegetables.
- Extensive Agriculture: Found in sparsely populated areas with large land areas. Manual labor is scarce, and machines perform most of the work. Fallow periods are often practiced to restore soil fertility.
Rural Settlement Patterns
Rural settlement refers to how people inhabit rural areas. It can be:
- Dispersed: Characterized by detached dwellings spread across the landscape.
- Concentrated: Involves groups of housing clustered together, forming villages or hamlets.
Types of Subsistence Agriculture
Subsistence agriculture aims to produce only what is necessary for the survival of the family, with family members and sometimes third parties working for self-consumption. Key types include:
Shifting Cultivation (by Cremation)
This method involves cutting bushes and trees, then setting them on fire. The ashes serve as fertilizer. Fields are typically productive for 3 to 4 years. This practice is common in parts of Africa, South America, and Asia.
Extensive Dryland Agriculture
Animal manure allows for the exploitation of the soil. Cultivation is often divided into three fields: one for fallow (grazing cattle), and two for cultivation (e.g., peanuts and millet), following a triennial rotation. This system is prevalent in dry areas of Africa.
Irrigated Rice Agriculture
This type of agriculture depends on abundant monsoon rains, warm winters, and heavy rainfall in summer. It requires flat, impermeable fields. It is characteristic of Monsoon Asia.
Market Agriculture: Evolution and Characteristics
Market agriculture began in developed countries with the Industrial Revolution. Agricultural improvements made it possible to produce surpluses. Its primary purposes are to increase sales and reduce costs.
Field Mechanization
Mechanization saves manual labor, increases production efficiency, and helps lower the prices of agricultural products.
Agricultural Production Specialization
Specialization leads to increased production of specific crops, allowing for better commercialization.
Rapid Marketing of Agricultural Products
Streamlining marketing processes and ensuring appropriate transport for each type of product are crucial for market agriculture.
Examples of market agriculture include Mediterranean agriculture and speculative farming practices.
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What is the primary sector?
The primary sector comprises activities that obtain food and raw materials directly from nature, including agriculture, livestock, fishing and forestry.
What is the difference between openfield and bocage?
Openfield landscapes have open, regular plots and are common in Central Europe. Bocage landscapes have large, irregular plots enclosed by walls or hedges and are typical of Atlantic Europe.
What is the difference between intensive and extensive agriculture?
Intensive agriculture is practiced in densely populated areas with small plots, heavy use of fertilizers and much manual labor, usually producing fruits and vegetables. Extensive agriculture is found in sparsely populated areas with large land areas, where machines do most of the work and fallow periods are often used.
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