Agriculture Agriculture A farmer in Germany working the land in the traditional way with a horse and plough
Agriculture is the process of producing food feed fiber and other desired products by the cultivation of certain plants and the raising of domesticated animals livestock The practice of agriculture is also known as farming while scientists inventors and others devoted to improving farming methods and implements are also said to be engaged in agriculture.
More people in the world are involved in agriculture as their primary economic activity than in any other yet it only accounts for four percent of the world's GDP.
Overview
Tea plantation in Java Indonesia
Agriculture can refer to subsistence agriculture the production of enough food to meet just the needs of the farmer agriculturalist and his her family.It may also refer to industrial agriculture often refered to as factory farming long prevalent in developed nations and increasingly so elsewhere which consists of obtaining financial income from the cultivation of land to yield produce the commercial raising of animals animal husbandry or both.
Agriculture is also short for the study of the practice of agriculture more formally known as agricultural science Agricultural students are known sometimes derisively as Aggies.
Increasingly in addition to food for humans and animal feeds agriculture produces goods such as cut flowers ornamental and nursery plants timber or lumber fertilizers animal hides leather industrial chemicals starch sugar ethanol alcohols and plastics fibers cotton wool hemp and flax fuels methane from biomass biodiesel and both legal and illegal drugs biopharmaceuticals tobacco marijuana opium cocaine Genetically engineered plants and animals produce specialty drugs.
In the Western world the use of gene manipulation better management of soil nutrients and improved weed control have greatly increased yields per unit area At the same time the use of mechanization has decreased labour requirements The developing world generally produces lower yields having less of the latest science capital and technology base.
Modern agriculture depends heavily on engineering and technology and on the biological and physical sciences Irrigation drainage conservation and sanitary engineering each of which is important in successful farming are some of the fields requiring the specialized knowledge of agricultural engineers.
Agricultural chemistry deals with other vital farming concerns such as the application of fertilizer insecticides see Pest control and fungicides soil makeup analysis of agricultural products and nutritional needs of farm animals.
Plant breeding and genetics contribute immeasurably to farm productivity Genetics has also made a science of livestock breeding Hydroponics a method of soilless gardening in which plants are grown in chemical nutrient solutions may help meet the need for greater food production as the world's population increases.
The packing processing and marketing of agricultural products are closely related activities also influenced by science Methods of quick freezing and dehydration have increased the markets for farm products see Food preservation Meat packing industry.
Mechanization the outstanding characteristic of late and century agriculture has eased much of the backbreaking toil of the farmer More significantly mechanization has enormously increased farm efficiency and productivity see Agricultural machinery Animals including horses mules oxen camels llamas alpacas and dogs however are still used to cultivate fields harvest crops and transport farm products to markets in many parts of the world.
Airplanes helicopters trucks and tractors are used in agriculture for seeding spraying operations for insect and disease control Aerial topdressing transporting perishable products and fighting forest fires Radio and television disseminate vital weather reports and other information such as market reports that concern farmers Computers 