Arable Farming This is the growing of crops, usually on flatter land where the soils are a higher quality. Globally, there are few areas left with a potential for arable farming. There has been a decrease in the existing amount of arable land, particularly in parts of Africa that are affected by drought and soil erosion.

Livestock Farming This is the raising of animals and usually takes place in areas less favourable to arable farming (wetter, steeper, colder, higher).

Mixed Farming This is the growing of crops and the rearing of animals together. It usually takes place on a commercial scale in more developed countries, where it reduces the financial risk of relying on a single crop or animal.

Extensive Farming This occurs when the amounts of labour and capital are small in relation to the area being farmed. It is large-scale farming. E.g. Amazon Basin has low yields per farmer and hectare LABOUR CAPITAL LAND OUTPUT E.g. Canadian Prairies has low yields per hectare but high output per farmer LABOUR CAPITAL LAND OUTPUT Models after Briggs

Intensive Farming This occurs when inputs of capital, fertilizers, labour or machinery are high in relation to the area being farmed. It is usually small-scale farming which maximise return from the land. LABOUR CAPITAL LAND OUTPUT E.g. Ganges Valley has high yields per hectare but low output per farmer LABOUR CAPITAL LAND OUTPUT E.g. Netherlands has high yields per hectare and high output per farmer Models after Briggs

Subsistence Farming This is where a plot of land produces only enough food to feed the family working it or the local community (e.g. tribe) and pay taxes. There is usually no surplus, except in good years. The main priority is self-sufficiency, which is achieved by growing/rearing a wide range of crops/animals. Subsistence farmers are rarely able to improve their output due to a lack of capital, land and technology.

Commercial Farming This takes place on a large, profit-making scale. Commercial farmers, or the companies they work for, seek to maximise yields per unit of land. This is often achieved by growing a single crop or rearing one type of animal. Commercial farming develops in places where there are good communications and markets are large. Types of farming include cattle ranching, grain farming and intensive cultivation of fruits, flowers and vegetables.