agriculture “where did agriculture originate?”. agriculture: case study read case study on page...
TRANSCRIPT
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 consumptionSome surplus sold to government or private firms
Grow crops and animals for saleSold to food processing companies
PERCENTAGE OF FARMERS IN LABOUR FORCE
50% Less than 1/10th Declined in 20th 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 hectaresFamily owned – fewer farms, urbanization taking land
RELATIONSHIP OF FARMING TO OTHER BUSINESS
None really AgribusinessFarms closely ties to food processing, packaging, storing, distributing, retailing, tractor manufacturer, fertilizer.
THE END