INTRODUCTION TO INTRODUCTION TO AGRICULTUREAGRICULTURE

AP HUMAN GEOGRAPHYAP HUMAN GEOGRAPHY

Agriculture and Land UseAgriculture and Land Use

Keller ‘11Keller ‘11

So what is agriculture?So what is agriculture?

The textbooks define it as…The textbooks define it as…• The deliberate modification of Earth’s The deliberate modification of Earth’s

surface through cultivation of plants and surface through cultivation of plants and rearing of animals to obtain sustenance rearing of animals to obtain sustenance or economic gainor economic gain..

• Intentional planting of crops and raising Intentional planting of crops and raising of domesticated animalsof domesticated animals

ECONOMIC ACTIVITY LEVELSECONOMIC ACTIVITY LEVELS

PRIMARYPRIMARY• Involves products closest to the ground; farming, Involves products closest to the ground; farming,

ranching, fishing, forestry, miningranching, fishing, forestry, mining SECONDARYSECONDARY

• Manufacturing of a primary product; processed foods, Manufacturing of a primary product; processed foods, cars, chemicalscars, chemicals

TERTIARYTERTIARY• The service industry; bankers, lawyers, teachersThe service industry; bankers, lawyers, teachers

QUATERNARYQUATERNARY• Services involved with the exchange of money or goodsServices involved with the exchange of money or goods

QUINARYQUINARY• Services involved with research and higher educationServices involved with research and higher education

Agriculture is classified as a Agriculture is classified as a primary activityprimary activity

WHY study agriculture?WHY study agriculture?Use Chapter 10 to helpUse Chapter 10 to help

Impact on people?Impact on people? Impact on other businesses/industry?Impact on other businesses/industry? Importance of survival to agrarian Importance of survival to agrarian

societiessocieties• AGRARIAN: Relating to or concerning the AGRARIAN: Relating to or concerning the

land and its cultivationland and its cultivation

What is agriculture dependent upon?What is agriculture dependent upon?

Climate?Climate?

Culture and Traditions?Culture and Traditions?

Demand?Demand?

AGRICULTURE TODAY…AGRICULTURE TODAY… Agriculture has been transformed into a globally Agriculture has been transformed into a globally

integrated system.integrated system. The introduction of new technologies, political The introduction of new technologies, political

concerns about food security and self-sufficiency, concerns about food security and self-sufficiency, and changing opportunities for investment and and changing opportunities for investment and employment are among the many forces that have employment are among the many forces that have dramatically shaped agriculture as we know it dramatically shaped agriculture as we know it today.today.

The industrialized agricultural system of today’s The industrialized agricultural system of today’s world has developed from – and largely displaced – world has developed from – and largely displaced – older agricultural practices, including subsistence older agricultural practices, including subsistence agriculture and pastoralism.agriculture and pastoralism.

Transformations in agriculture have had dramatic Transformations in agriculture have had dramatic impacts on the environment, including soil erosion, impacts on the environment, including soil erosion, desertification, deforestation, and soil and water desertification, deforestation, and soil and water pollution, as well as the elimination of some plant pollution, as well as the elimination of some plant and animal species.and animal species.

AGRICULTURE TOMORROW…AGRICULTURE TOMORROW…

World population will grow from around 6.7 billion people World population will grow from around 6.7 billion people today to 8.3 billion people in 2030.today to 8.3 billion people in 2030.

The world population will be increasingly well-fed by 2030.The world population will be increasingly well-fed by 2030. The number of hungry people in developing countries is The number of hungry people in developing countries is

expected to decline, but Sub-Saharan Africa is cause for expected to decline, but Sub-Saharan Africa is cause for serious concern.serious concern.

Much of future food production growth will come from higher Much of future food production growth will come from higher productivity.productivity.

The expansion of farmland for food production will be slower The expansion of farmland for food production will be slower than in the past.than in the past.

Globally, deforestation will probably continue to slow down.Globally, deforestation will probably continue to slow down. At a global level there is enough water available, but some At a global level there is enough water available, but some

regions will face serious water shortages.regions will face serious water shortages. Modern biotechnology offers promises as a means to Modern biotechnology offers promises as a means to

improving food security.improving food security. Climate change could increase the dependency of some Climate change could increase the dependency of some

developing countries on food imports. developing countries on food imports.

FOOD PRODUCTIONFOOD PRODUCTION

Providing food in the United Providing food in the United States and Canada is a vast States and Canada is a vast industry. industry.

The mechanized, highly The mechanized, highly productive American or productive American or Canadian farm contrasts with Canadian farm contrasts with the subsistence farm found in the subsistence farm found in much of the world. much of the world.

This sharp contrast in This sharp contrast in agricultural practices agricultural practices constitutes one of the most constitutes one of the most fundamental differences fundamental differences between the more developed between the more developed and less developed countries of and less developed countries of the world.the world.

KEY ISSUESKEY ISSUES

11. Where did agriculture originate? . Where did agriculture originate? • Major Agricultural RevolutionsMajor Agricultural Revolutions

2. Where are agricultural regions in 2. Where are agricultural regions in less developed countries? less developed countries?

3. Where are agricultural regions in 3. Where are agricultural regions in more developed countries? more developed countries?

4. Why do farmers face economic 4. Why do farmers face economic difficulties?difficulties?

The Economics of FarmingThe Economics of Farming The reason why farming varies around the world relates to The reason why farming varies around the world relates to

distribution across space of cultural and environmental distribution across space of cultural and environmental factors. factors.

Elements of the physical environment, such as climate, soil, Elements of the physical environment, such as climate, soil, and topography, set broad limits on agricultural practices, and and topography, set broad limits on agricultural practices, and farmers make choices to modify the environment in a variety farmers make choices to modify the environment in a variety of ways. of ways.

Broad climate patterns influence the crops planted in a Broad climate patterns influence the crops planted in a region, and local soil conditions influence the crops planted on region, and local soil conditions influence the crops planted on an individual farm. an individual farm.

Farmers choose from a variety of agricultural practices, based Farmers choose from a variety of agricultural practices, based on their perception of the value of each alternative. on their perception of the value of each alternative.

These values are partly economic and partly cultural. These values are partly economic and partly cultural. How farmers deal with their physical environment varies How farmers deal with their physical environment varies

according to dietary preferences, availability of technology, according to dietary preferences, availability of technology, and other cultural traditions. and other cultural traditions.

At a global scale, farmers increasingly pursue the most At a global scale, farmers increasingly pursue the most profitable agricultureprofitable agriculture

AGRICULTURAL LANDSCAPEAGRICULTURAL LANDSCAPE

The overall appearance of an area The overall appearance of an area impacted through a system of impacted through a system of agriculture.agriculture.

WHAT IS THIS?WHAT IS THIS?(WHERE MIGHT THIS BE?)(WHERE MIGHT THIS BE?)

WHAT IS THIS?WHAT IS THIS?(WHERE MIGHT THIS BE?)(WHERE MIGHT THIS BE?)

WHAT IS THIS?WHAT IS THIS?(WHERE MIGHT THIS BE?)(WHERE MIGHT THIS BE?)

WHAT IS THIS?WHAT IS THIS?(WHERE MIGHT THIS BE?)(WHERE MIGHT THIS BE?)

WHAT IS THIS?WHAT IS THIS?(WHERE MIGHT THIS BE?)(WHERE MIGHT THIS BE?)

WHAT IS THIS?WHAT IS THIS?(WHERE MIGHT THIS BE?)(WHERE MIGHT THIS BE?)

ORIGINS OF AGRICULTUREORIGINS OF AGRICULTURE

Hunters and GatherersHunters and Gatherers Invention of AgricultureInvention of Agriculture

HUNTERS AND GATHERERSHUNTERS AND GATHERERS Before the invention of agriculture, all humans probably obtained Before the invention of agriculture, all humans probably obtained

the food they needed for survival through hunting for animals, the food they needed for survival through hunting for animals, fishing, or gathering. fishing, or gathering.

Hunters and gatherers lived in small groups. Hunters and gatherers lived in small groups. The men hunted game or fished, and the women collected berries, The men hunted game or fished, and the women collected berries,

nuts, and roots. nuts, and roots. This division of labor sounds like a stereotype but is based on This division of labor sounds like a stereotype but is based on

evidence from archaeology and anthropology. evidence from archaeology and anthropology. The group traveled frequently, establishing new home bases or The group traveled frequently, establishing new home bases or

camps. camps. The direction and frequency of migration depended on the The direction and frequency of migration depended on the

movement of game and the seasonal growth of plants at various movement of game and the seasonal growth of plants at various locations.locations.

CONTEMPORARY HUNTING AND GATHERINGCONTEMPORARY HUNTING AND GATHERING

Today perhaps a quarter-Today perhaps a quarter-million people, or less million people, or less than 0.005 percent of the than 0.005 percent of the world’s population, still world’s population, still survive by hunting and survive by hunting and gathering. gathering.

Contemporary hunting Contemporary hunting and gathering societies and gathering societies are isolated groups living are isolated groups living on the periphery of world on the periphery of world settlement, but they settlement, but they provide insight into human provide insight into human customs that prevailed in customs that prevailed in prehistoric times, before prehistoric times, before the invention of the invention of agriculture.agriculture.

THE INVENTION OF AGRICULTURETHE INVENTION OF AGRICULTURE

Agriculture evolved into two types of Agriculture evolved into two types of cultivation.cultivation.• Vegetative PlantingVegetative Planting• Seed AgricultureSeed Agriculture

TWO TYPES OF CULTIVATIONTWO TYPES OF CULTIVATION

Over thousands of years, plant cultivation Over thousands of years, plant cultivation apparently evolved from a combination apparently evolved from a combination of accidental and deliberate experiment. of accidental and deliberate experiment.

The earliest form of plant cultivation, The earliest form of plant cultivation, according to Carl Sauer, was vegetative according to Carl Sauer, was vegetative planting, direct cloning from existing planting, direct cloning from existing plants, such as cutting stems and plants, such as cutting stems and dividing roots. dividing roots.

Coming later, according to Sauer, was Coming later, according to Sauer, was seed agriculture. Seed agriculture is seed agriculture. Seed agriculture is practiced by most farmers today.practiced by most farmers today.

VEGETATIVE PLANTING HEARTHSVEGETATIVE PLANTING HEARTHS

There were several main hearths, or centers of origin, for There were several main hearths, or centers of origin, for vegetative crops (roots and tubers, etc.), from which the vegetative crops (roots and tubers, etc.), from which the crops diffused to other areas.crops diffused to other areas.

LOCATION OF FIRST LOCATION OF FIRST VEGETATIVE PLANTINGVEGETATIVE PLANTING

Dr. Sauer believes that vegetative planting Dr. Sauer believes that vegetative planting probably originated in Southeast Asia. probably originated in Southeast Asia.

The region’s diversity of climate and topography The region’s diversity of climate and topography encouraged plants suitable for dividing. encouraged plants suitable for dividing.

The first plants domesticated in Southeast Asia.. . The first plants domesticated in Southeast Asia.. . probably included roots such as the taro and probably included roots such as the taro and yam, and tree crops such as the banana and yam, and tree crops such as the banana and palm. palm.

The dog, pig, and chicken probably were The dog, pig, and chicken probably were domesticated first in Southeast Asia. domesticated first in Southeast Asia.

Other early hearths of vegetative planting also Other early hearths of vegetative planting also may have emerged independently in West Africa may have emerged independently in West Africa and northwestern South America.and northwestern South America.

SEED AGRICULTURAL HEARTHS

Seed agriculture also originated in several Seed agriculture also originated in several hearths and diffused from those elsewhere. hearths and diffused from those elsewhere.

DIFFUSION OF SEED DIFFUSION OF SEED AGRICULTUREAGRICULTURE

Seed agriculture diffused from Seed agriculture diffused from Southwest Asia across Europe and Southwest Asia across Europe and through North Africa. through North Africa.

Seed agriculture also diffused eastward Seed agriculture also diffused eastward from Southwest Asia to northwestern from Southwest Asia to northwestern India and the Indus River plain. India and the Indus River plain.

Again, various domesticated plants and Again, various domesticated plants and animals were brought from Southwest animals were brought from Southwest Asia, although other plants, such as Asia, although other plants, such as cotton and rice, arrived in India from cotton and rice, arrived in India from different hearths. different hearths.

Rice has an unknown hearth. Rice has an unknown hearth. Sauer identified a third independent Sauer identified a third independent

hearth in Ethiopia, where millet and hearth in Ethiopia, where millet and sorghum were domesticated early. sorghum were domesticated early.

However, he argued that agricultural However, he argued that agricultural advances in Ethiopia did not diffuse advances in Ethiopia did not diffuse widely to other locationswidely to other locations

DIFFUSION OF SEED DIFFUSION OF SEED AGRICULTURE IN THE AGRICULTURE IN THE

WESTERN HEMISPHEREWESTERN HEMISPHERE Two independent seed agriculture hearths Two independent seed agriculture hearths

originated in the Western Hemisphere: originated in the Western Hemisphere: southern Mexico and northern Peru. southern Mexico and northern Peru.

Agricultural practices diffused to other parts Agricultural practices diffused to other parts of the Western Hemisphere. of the Western Hemisphere.

This diversity derives from a unique legacy of This diversity derives from a unique legacy of wild plants, climatic conditions, and cultural wild plants, climatic conditions, and cultural preferences in each region. preferences in each region.

Improved communications in recent Improved communications in recent centuries have encouraged the diffusion of centuries have encouraged the diffusion of some plants to varied locations around the some plants to varied locations around the world.world.

DIFFERENCES BETWEEN COMMERCIAL AND

SUBSISTENCE AGRICULTURE

The most fundamental differences in agricultural practices The most fundamental differences in agricultural practices are between those in less developed countries and those in are between those in less developed countries and those in more developed countries. more developed countries.

Subsistence agriculture is the production of food primarily Subsistence agriculture is the production of food primarily for consumption by the farmer’s family. for consumption by the farmer’s family.

Commercial agriculture is the production of food primarily Commercial agriculture is the production of food primarily for sale off the farm. for sale off the farm. • Five principal features distinguish commercial from Five principal features distinguish commercial from

subsistence agriculture: subsistence agriculture: purpose of farming; purpose of farming; percentage of farmers in the labor force; percentage of farmers in the labor force; use of machinery; use of machinery; arm size; arm size; (and) relationship of farming to other businesses.(and) relationship of farming to other businesses.

LABOR FORCE IN AGRICULTURELABOR FORCE IN AGRICULTURE

A large proportion of workers in most LDCs are in agriculture, A large proportion of workers in most LDCs are in agriculture, while only a small percentage of workers in MDCs are engaged in while only a small percentage of workers in MDCs are engaged in agriculture.agriculture.

FARM SIZEFARM SIZE The average farm size is relatively The average farm size is relatively

large in commercial agriculture, large in commercial agriculture, especially in the United States and especially in the United States and Canada. Canada.

Commercial agriculture is Commercial agriculture is increasingly dominated by a increasingly dominated by a handful of large farms. handful of large farms.

In the United States the largest 4 In the United States the largest 4 percent of farms account for more percent of farms account for more than one half of the country’s total than one half of the country’s total output. output.

One half of U.S. farms generate less One half of U.S. farms generate less than $10,000 a year in sales. than $10,000 a year in sales.

Large size is partly a consequence Large size is partly a consequence of mechanization. of mechanization.

As a result of the large size and the As a result of the large size and the high level of mechanization, high level of mechanization, commercial agriculture is an commercial agriculture is an expensive business.expensive business.

RELATIONSHIP OF FARMING TO RELATIONSHIP OF FARMING TO OTHER BUSINESSESOTHER BUSINESSES

Commercial farming is closely tied to other Commercial farming is closely tied to other businesses. businesses.

Commercial farming has been called Commercial farming has been called agribusiness, integrated into a large food agribusiness, integrated into a large food production industry. production industry.

Although farmers are less than 2 percent Although farmers are less than 2 percent of the U.S. labor force, more than 20 of the U.S. labor force, more than 20 percent of U.S. labor works in food percent of U.S. labor works in food production related to agribusiness: food production related to agribusiness: food processing, packaging, storing, processing, packaging, storing, distributing, and retailing.distributing, and retailing.

AGRICULTURAL REVOLUTIONS

First Agricultural RevolutionFirst Agricultural Revolution• Dating back 10,000 years, this achieved plant Dating back 10,000 years, this achieved plant

domestication and animal domestication. domestication and animal domestication. Second Agricultural RevolutionSecond Agricultural Revolution

• Witnessed improved methods of cultivation, Witnessed improved methods of cultivation, harvesting, and storage of farm produce. harvesting, and storage of farm produce.

Third Agricultural RevolutionThird Agricultural Revolution• Currently in progress, its principal orientation is Currently in progress, its principal orientation is

the development of Genetically Modified the development of Genetically Modified OrganismsOrganisms

FIRST AGRICULTURAL REVOLUTIONFIRST AGRICULTURAL REVOLUTION

Studied by geographer, Dr. Carl SauerStudied by geographer, Dr. Carl Sauer• Believed that agriculture would only flourish Believed that agriculture would only flourish

in a land of plenty in a land of plenty

Key area: Tigris and the Euphrates Rivers Key area: Tigris and the Euphrates Rivers (Fertile Crescent)(Fertile Crescent)

SECOND AGRICULTURAL REVOLUTIONSECOND AGRICULTURAL REVOLUTION

Coincided with the Industrial RevolutionCoincided with the Industrial Revolution Surpluses of food needed to feed those Surpluses of food needed to feed those

working in factoriesworking in factories New technologies developed to improve New technologies developed to improve

crop yieldscrop yields Supported by governments of EuropeSupported by governments of Europe

• Enclosure Act of Great Britain – enforced the Enclosure Act of Great Britain – enforced the increase in the size of farms; created large increase in the size of farms; created large scale farmsscale farms

THIRD AGRICULTURAL REVOLUTIONTHIRD AGRICULTURAL REVOLUTION

Also known as the Green RevolutionAlso known as the Green Revolution Dates back to the 1930sDates back to the 1930s Manipulation of seed varieties to Manipulation of seed varieties to

increase crop yieldsincrease crop yields 1960s – focus of the Green 1960s – focus of the Green

Revolution turned to IndiaRevolution turned to India Crops impacted: corn, wheat, riceCrops impacted: corn, wheat, rice Decreased famine in numerous areasDecreased famine in numerous areas ““Hunger Areas” greatly impactedHunger Areas” greatly impacted