All over the world there are basically two types of Agriculture. Agriculture, which serves as the backbone of many economies around the world, plays a central role in food production, employment generation, and raw material supply for industries. With global differences in culture, environment, and technology, agriculture is practiced in several distinct forms, each with its own features and purposes. In this blog, we will study the major types of agriculture, their characteristics, and the various branches that make up the agricultural sciences.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Meaning of Agriculture
- Major Types of Agriculture
- Branches of Agriculture
- Characteristics of Agriculture
- Comparison of Major Types of Agriculture
- Conclusion
- Revision questions
Meaning of Agriculture
Agriculture is the art and science of cultivating the soil, growing crops, and raising livestock for human use and consumption. It encompasses a wide range of activities including plant cultivation, animal rearing, fishing, and forestry. The term originates from Latin words “ager” (field) and “cultura” (cultivation), which together describe field cultivation or farming.
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Major Types of Agriculture
Agriculture can be classified into different types based on the method of production, purpose, and geographical factors. The most common types include:
1. Subsistence Agriculture
This is the types of Agriculture whereby the Farmer produces food just enough for the family to eat. In time of good harvest, the surplus is sold by the Farmer. The aim of the subsistence farmer is to produce enough food for his family. This is also known as small scale farming.
Characteristics Of Subsistence Types Of Agriculture
- In Nigeria, subsistence agriculture is carried out by farmers with the use of simple Farm implements like hole, cutlasses, as and others.
- The farm are usually very small.
- Planting of many crops on the same plot of land (mix cropping)
- Where animals like goat, sheep, cattle and Poultry are kept. They are usually very few in number.
- In subsistence agriculture, the farm workers are usually the farmer himself, the wives and the children.
- The produce from the farm are not always very high, this is because very few subsistence farmers use fertilizers or manures and they do not protect their crops and animals from pest and diseases.
- The Farmers are usually poor.
2. Commercial Agriculture
This is the types of Agriculture whereby the Farmers or companies produce agricultural materials for money. These could be rice, cassava, cocoa, rubber, chickens, milk and meat from cattle. The aim of the commercial farmer is to make profit. This also known as large scale farming.
Characteristics of Commercial Agriculture
- Under this types of Agriculture, the farms are usually large.
- Machines and many other modern farming equipment are commonly used.
- Commercial types of agricultural requires big sum of money.
- The use of members of the family to work in the farm is not very common. Outside workers are paid to do the farm work.
- In Nigeria, rich persons and big organizations carry out commercial agriculture.
3. Mixed Farming
Meaning: Mixed farming is the integration of crop cultivation and animal rearing on the same farm.
Characteristics
- Efficient use of land
- Crop residues used as animal feed
- Animals provide manure for crops
- Enhances farm income and sustainability
4. Plantation types of Agriculture
Meaning: Plantation agriculture involves the cultivation of a single crop on a large estate, often for export purposes.
Characteristics
- Large-scale, single-crop farming
- Requires heavy capital investment
- Common crops: rubber, tea, coffee, cocoa, sugarcane
- Often involves hired labor
- Found in countries like Nigeria, India, Sri Lanka, and Kenya
5. Shifting Cultivation
Meaning: Shifting cultivation is a traditional method where farmers clear a piece of forest land, cultivate it for a few years, and then abandon it to regain fertility naturally.
Characteristics
- Also called slash-and-burn agriculture
- Used in tropical rainforests
- Low yield and environmental impact
- Practiced by indigenous communities
6. Nomadic Herding
Meaning: Nomadic herding involves the rearing of animals by moving from one place to another in search of water and pasture.
Characteristics
- Common in arid and semi-arid regions
- Focus on cattle, sheep, camels, and goats
- Subsistence-based and labor-intensive
- Practiced in the Middle East, North Africa, and Central Asia
Branches Of Agriculture
There are many disciplines or branches of agriculture that makes up agriculture. These are:
1. Soil science: Soil science is one of the Branches of agriculture, this is a natural material on which plant grow. The science which studies the soil is known as soil science. The type and nature of the soil are very important to crops. The plants food or nutrients in the soil will determine if the crops will do well or not. It is therefore good for the Farmer to know something about the soil and how to use it to grow crops.
2. Crop Science: This is the science which deals with the growing of crops. For crops to do well, it is important to study their different parts and know the best way to take care of them.
3. Fishery: Fishery is also among the Branches of Agriculture which is concerned with the production of fish and other animals such as crayfish, crab, etc, that are found in water. One aspects of fishery is the hunting of fish in natural Waters like streams and oceans. Fishes are also reared by farmers in ponds, tanks, etc.
4. Forestry and wildlife: This is among the branches of Agriculture concerned with the growing and maintenance of trees and animals in the forest. Some of the trees in the forest are very useful to us. Trees like mahogany, African walnut, obeche, iroko and others serve as timbers. We use timbers to build houses and make furniture. The care of animals like lion, elephants, deer, antelopes and others is very important.
5. Agricultural Education: This is also among Branches of Agriculture which deals with the training of farmers, workers in charge of Agriculture and people who help to teach youths and adults the art and science of Agriculture. To have more food, the government establishes schools where the different farming practices are learnt. The Farmers are also taught on how to carry out good farming practices.
6. Agricultural Economics: This is the area of Agriculture which teaches farmers how to run their farms in order to get more money. Farmers grow crops and rear animals. This are sold to get money. To grow crops and keep animals, farmers will need land, workers, and money. The money will then be used to pay the workers. It is also used to buy planting materials like seeds, fertilizer Farm implements and animal feeds. Agricultural economies involved the ways this materials are combined in the farm to produce crops and animals. The Farmers eat and sell the crop products.
7. Veterinary Medicine: This is the branch of Agriculture which deals with the study of diseases of farm animals. Like human beings, animals sometimes fall sick. They need to be treated in order Not to die young and also grow and produce more. The people who studied how to treat animals that are sick are known as or called veterinary doctors.
8. Agricultural Engineering: This area of Agriculture deals with tools and machines used to do Farm work. There are many Farm work that cannot be done by hand. Others are difficult to do. Example, felling of trees, digging of the soil before planting seeds, as well as harvesting are not always easy with hands. The use of machines like Ploughs, harrows, planters, sprayers, harvesters and other makes farming easy and enjoyable. The person who studied the use of Farm tools and machines is known or called agricultural engineer.
9. Agricultural Extension: This is the branches of Agriculture which is concerned with how to help farmers to help themselves. Extension involved teaching rural people in their homes and farms. The people called extension officers from the ministry of Agriculture show farmers better ways of doing Farm work. They also tell the Farmers new crops and good animals they can grow and rear. This is done so that farmers can get good harvest from farm and get money. In addition to this, the extension worker takes the Farmers problem to the ministry for solution.
10. Animal Science: This is the science which deal with the study of farm animals or livestock. The common farm animals are goat, cattle, sheep, fowl, duck and many others. Some of these animals provide meat, and milk while others provides eggs. Animal science involves the study of the many different livestock, what they eat in order to grow well and how they are kept by the Farmers. The person who studied farm animals is called or known as animal scientist.
11. Horticulture: This is a branch of crop science which deals with vegetables, fruits, and ornamental plants or flowers. Horticulture is therefore divided into three:
- Olericulture which deals with vegetable production.
- Floriculture which is the production of ornamental plants.
- Pomology which deals with the production of fruits.
Viticulture, which is the culture of Vines, is however not common in Nigeria.
The growing of vegetables like okra, tomato, garden egg, garbage, carrot, and fruits like pawpaw, banana, mango and oranges gives farmers a lot of money. The growing of ornamental plants, that is flower is also very important. The flower plants are used to make compounds beautiful. The growing of flowers like the Rose, croton, hibiscus, royal Palm and queen of the night makes many houses to look fine or beautiful.
12. Agronomy: The science of soil management and crop production. It involves the study of plant breeding, irrigation, fertilizers, and weed control.
Characteristics of Agriculture
Below are key features common to various agricultural systems:
- Land-Based: Depends heavily on land availability and quality
- Weather-Dependent: Influenced by climate and seasonal changes
- Biological Process: Involves living organisms (plants and animals)
- Labor or Capital Intensive: Can require either large manpower or heavy investment
- Time-Lag Between Input and Output: Especially in crop farming
- Cultural Influence: Traditional beliefs often affect farming decisions
Comparison of Major Types of Agriculture
| Type of Agriculture | Characteristics | Example Regions |
|---|---|---|
| Subsistence | Family use, small plots, low yield | Nigeria, India (rural) |
| Commercial | Market-oriented, mechanized, high input | USA, Brazil, Australia |
| Mixed Farming | Crops and livestock on the same farm | France, UK, South Africa |
| Plantation | Monoculture, large estates, export-focused | India, Kenya, Sri Lanka |
| Shifting Cultivation | Temporary farming, low input, slash-and-burn | Amazon Basin, Congo Basin |
| Nomadic Herding | Animal-based, mobile, climate-dependent | Sahara Desert, Central Asia |
See Also
Conclusion on the Types of Agriculture
Understanding the different types and branches of agriculture is crucial to appreciating the diversity and complexity of food production systems worldwide. Each type of agriculture serves a unique purpose, shaped by cultural, environmental, and economic conditions. As agricultural science continues to evolve, integrating both traditional knowledge and modern innovations will be key to sustainable food security.
Revision Questions on the Types of Agriculture
- What is the difference between subsistence and commercial agriculture?
- List three characteristics of plantation farming.
- Mention four branches of agriculture.
- Define agronomy and state its importance.
- Explain the concept of shifting cultivation and where it is commonly practiced.
- Describe two features of mixed farming.
- What is the focus of agricultural economics?
- Give two examples of crops grown in plantation agriculture.
- What is nomadic herding and in which regions is it practiced?
- Mention three characteristics common to most agricultural systems.