AGRICULTURE “Where did agriculture originate?”

AGRICULTURE: Case study Read case study on page 328. Compare and contrast the life of a farmer in Pakistan and Kansas. Are you surprised? Why or why not?

Definition Agriculture is the deliberate modification of Earth’s surface through the cultivation of plants and animals to obtain sustenance or economic gain.

Hunter and Gatherer Hunt animals, fish, gather plants (berries, nuts, fruits, roots) Live in small groups (~50 people) Men hunt and women collect berries Travel frequently (nomadic)

Hunter and Gatherer Approximately 0.005% of the world’s population still live as hunters and gatherers. For example, African Bushmen of Namibia and Botswana, Aborigines of Australia,

Agricultural Revolution People observed that seeds produced plants by accident and then deliberate experiment Domesticate animals for religion or sacrifices Dog domesticated for warmth?

Agricultural Revolution Some of the first types of domesticated plants were taro, yam, banana, palm that originated in SE Asia

Two Types of Cultivation Vegetative planting ~ origin in SE Asia Less hunting, more fish, therefore more time to experiment with planting. Diffused northward and eastward to China and Japan west through India, SW Asia, African, Mediterranean.

Vegetation Planting Look at figure 10-1 (page 330). Where were the three primary regions to begin vegetation planting? SE Asia  north to China, Japan, south to Africa, Indonesia West Africa  south NW South America  north and south

Two Types of Cultivation Seed agriculture Three hearths: West India  SW Asia, north China, Ethiopia,

Seed Agriculture Look at figure 10-2 (page 331). Where are the five primary regions to begin seed agriculture? Is there any similarity with vegetation agriculture? China, Pakistan, Ethiopia, Central America, Peru Similarities  close to equator, China, Pakistan (close to India), Africa, Central America In which directions did each diffuse?

Subsistence (LDC) Commercial (MDC) PURPOSE OF FARMING  Produce for own consumption  Some surplus sold to government or private firms  Grow crops and animals for sale  Sold to food processing companies PERCENTAGE OF FARMERS IN LABOUR FORCE  50%  Less than 1/10 th  Declined in 20 th century  Last two decades stabilizes USE OF MACHINERY  Use hand tools and animals  Use farm machinery - tractors, combines, corn pickers, planters…. FARM SIZE  Very small – a few hectares  Large ~ 171 hectares  Family owned – fewer farms, urbanization taking land RELATIONSHIP OF FARMING TO OTHER BUSINESS  None really  Agribusiness  Farms closely ties to food processing, packaging, storing, distributing, retailing, tractor manufacturer, fertilizer.

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