Understanding the Primary Sector: Key Activities and Impacts

What is the Primary Sector? The primary sector is concerned with the extraction of raw materials. Which Activities Are Part of the Primary Sector? These include fishing, farming, and mining. Differences in the Primary Sector Across Countries In developed countries, between 1% and 6% of the active population works in the primary sector. In developing countries, about 50% of the population is involved, while in underdeveloped countries, around 80% of the active population works in this sector. Definition of Arable and Pastoral Farming Arable: Land capable of being ploughed and used to grow crops. Pastoral: Fields that could be used for livestock but not farmland. Factors that affect farming include population size, which leads to larger areas of cultivation and different farming techniques. What Are Specialization and Mechanization? Specialization: This refers to cultivating one product on a farm, simplifying labor and the use of machines. Mechanization: This involves machines replacing a large part of human labor, allowing work to be completed in less time. Modern Farming Methods Fertilizers improve soil fertility, enabling more crops to be grown in subsequent years, while high-yield seeds increase production. Commercial Agriculture Effects Benefits: Lower prices, efficient marketing, and specialized transportation. Costs: Pollution of soil from fertilizers and pesticides, quality of food issues, and soil exhaustion and erosion. Subsidies: How They Affect Farmers Countries provide subsidies to their farmers to reduce prices; however, poor countries often do not receive such support and struggle with subsistence. What is Livestock? Livestock consists of raising animals for food or economic purposes, such as meat, milk, and eggs. Some animals are also used as a source of labor. Extensive and Intensive Livestock Extensive: Practiced in both developed and developing countries, typically on large farms where animals are in natural pastures. Intensive: Common in developing countries, where farms specialize in one animal species. Definitions of Forestry, Silviculture, and Plantation Forest Forestry: The management and cultivation of forests and their resources. Silviculture: The scientific control of forest exploitation. Plantation Forest: This is carried out to produce more forests. What is Fishing? Fishing is the activity of catching aquatic animals. Types of Fishing and Characteristics (Including Aquaculture) Coastal Fishing: Practiced near the coast in small boats. Inshore Fishing: Practiced near the coast in small or medium-sized boats. Offshore or Commercial Fishing: Takes place at sea on large factory ships.