Agriculture

Extracted Attributes

• Definition

  The science, art, or practice of cultivating the soil, producing crops, and raising livestock

• Global Food Loss

  14% before reaching retail level

• Global Food Production

  11 billion tonnes annually

• Global Wood Production

  4 billion m3 annually

• Global Fiber Production

  32 million tonnes annually

• Greenhouse Gas Emissions

  13% of anthropogenic global emissions (2011)

• Large Farm Land Occupancy

  Over 70% of world's farmland (farms > 50 hectares)

• Pennsylvania Sector Issues

  Punitive tariffs and critical labor shortages

• Small Farm Food Production

  Approximately one-third of the world's food

• Geographic Location (Uganda)

  Saka Road, Fort Portal City, Kabarole, Western Region

Timeline

• Humans begin gathering wild grains. (Source: Wikipedia)

  -103000-01-01

• Nascent farmers begin deliberate planting of crops. (Source: Wikipedia)

  -09500-01-01

• Domestication of sheep, goats, pigs, and cattle. (Source: Wikipedia)

  -08000-01-01

• Industrial agriculture based on large-scale monocultures begins to dominate output during the 20th century. (Source: Wikipedia)

  1901-01-01

• Publication of a specific edition of agricultural work. (Source: Wikidata)

  2009-01-01

• UNEP report attributes 13% of global GHG emissions to agriculture. (Source: Web Search)

  2011-01-01

• Statistics confirm small farms produce one-third of global food. (Source: Wikipedia)

  2021-01-01

Agriculture

Agriculture is the practice of cultivating the soil, planting, raising, and harvesting both food and non-food crops, as well as livestock production. Broader definitions also include forestry and aquaculture. Agriculture was a key factor in the rise of sedentary human civilization, whereby farming of domesticated plants and animals created food surpluses that enabled people to live in the cities. While humans started gathering grains at least 105,000 years ago, nascent farmers only began planting them around 11,500 years ago. Sheep, goats, pigs, and cattle were domesticated around 10,000 years ago. Plants were independently cultivated in at least 11 regions of the world. In the 20th century, industrial agriculture based on large-scale monocultures came to dominate agricultural output. As of 2021, small farms, of which the vast majority are one hectare (about 2.5 acres) or smaller, produce about one-third of the world's food. Moreover, five of every six farms in the world consist of fewer than 2 hectares (4.9 acres) and take up only around 12% of all agricultural land. In terms of total land use, large farms are dominant. While only 1% of all farms globally are greater than 50 hectares (120 acres), they encompass more than 70% of the world's farmland. Further, nearly 40% of all global agricultural land is found on farms larger than 1,000 hectares (2,500 acres). Farms and farming greatly influence rural economics and greatly shape rural society, affecting both the direct agricultural workforce and broader businesses that support the farms and farming populations. The major agricultural products can be broadly grouped into foods, fibers, fuels, and raw materials (such as rubber and timber). Food classes include cereals (grains), vegetables, fruits, cooking oils, meat, milk, eggs, and fungi. Global agricultural production amounts to approximately 11 billion tonnes of food, 32 million tonnes of natural fibers and 4 billion m3 of wood. However, around 14% of the world's food is lost from production before reaching the retail level. Modern agronomy, plant breeding, agrochemicals such as pesticides and fertilizers, and technological developments have sharply increased crop yields, but also contributed to ecological and environmental damage. Selective breeding and modern practices in animal husbandry have similarly increased the output of meat, but have raised concerns about animal welfare and environmental damage. Environmental issues include contributions to climate change, depletion of aquifers, deforestation, antibiotic resistance, and other agricultural pollution. Agriculture is both a cause of and sensitive to environmental degradation, such as biodiversity loss, desertification, soil degradation, and climate change, all of which can cause decreases in crop yield. Genetically modified organisms are widely used, although some countries ban them.

Web Search Results

• Agriculture

  Agriculture is the practice of cultivating the soil, planting, raising, and harvesting both food and non-food crops, as well as livestock production. Broader definitions also include forestry and aquaculture. Agriculture was a key factor in the rise of sedentary human civilization, whereby farming of domesticated plants and animals created food surpluses that enabled people to live in the cities. While humans started gathering grains at least 105,000 years ago, nascent farmers only began planting them around 11,500 years ago. Sheep, goats, pigs, and cattle were domesticated around 10,000 years ago. Plants were independently cultivated in at least 11 regions of the world. In the 20th century, industrial agriculture based on large-scale monocultures came to dominate agricultural output. [...] Agriculture is both a cause of environmental degradation and sensitive to environmental degradation, such as biodiversity loss, desertification, soil degradation and climate change, which cause decreases in crop yield. Agriculture is one of the most important drivers of environmental pressures, particularly habitat change, climate change, water use and toxic emissions. Agriculture is the main source of toxins released into the environment, including insecticides, especially those used on cotton. The 2011 UNEP Green Economy report stated that agricultural operations produced some 13 percent of anthropogenic global greenhouse gas emissions. This includes gases from the use of inorganic fertilizers, agro-chemical pesticides, and herbicides, as well as fossil fuel-energy inputs. [...] ## Etymology and scope Further information: Horticulture § Scope The word agriculture is a late Middle English adaptation of Latin agricultūra, from ager 'field' and cultūra 'cultivation' or 'growing'. Agriculture is defined with varying scopes, in its broadest sense using natural resources to "produce commodities which maintain life, including food, fiber, forest products, horticultural crops, and their related services". Thus defined, it includes arable farming, horticulture, animal husbandry and forestry, but horticulture and forestry are in practice often excluded. It may also be broadly decomposed into plant agriculture, which concerns the cultivation of useful plants, and animal agriculture, the production of agricultural animals.

• The Art and Science of Agriculture - National Geographic Education

  Agriculture provides most of the world’s food and fabrics. Cotton, wool, and leather are all agricultural products. Agriculture also provides wood for construction and paper products. These products, as well as the agricultural methods used, may vary from one part of the world to another. Start of Agriculture Over centuries, the growth of agriculture supported the development of cities. Before agriculture became widespread, hunting and gathering was how people fed themselves. Between 10,000 and 12,000 years ago, people gradually learned how to grow cereal and root crops, and settled down to a life based on farming. [...] ## ARTICLE leveled # The Art and Science of Agriculture # The Art and Science of Agriculture Agriculture is the art and science of cultivating the soil, growing crops and raising livestock. ### Grades 3 - 12+ ### Subjects Geography, Human Geography, Physical Geography, Social Studies, World History ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ###### Loading ... Leveled by Selected text level Agriculture is the art and science of cultivating the soil, growing crops, and raising livestock. It includes the preparation of plant and animal products for people to use and their distribution to markets. [...] the land, water, and air, and by sharing knowledge and resources, people may yet find solutions for the problems of world hunger and industrial agriculture.

• Understanding Types of Agriculture: Principles, Practices, & Benefits

  ## FAQs ### What Are the Types of Agriculture? Agriculture includes various methods. Traditional farming relies on manual labor and natural resources. Industrial agriculture uses technology and chemicals for large-scale production. Other types of agriculture include organic, urban, permaculture, and more specialized forms like aquaculture and vertical farming. ### What Are the Six Sectors of Agriculture? Agriculture comprises several sectors. Crop production and livestock rearing are primary. Forestry, fisheries, and agricultural services support these core activities. Agro-processing converts raw farm products into finished goods. ### What Are the Benefits of Agriculture? [...] From the vast, mechanized fields of commercial agriculture to the small-scale subsistence farms supporting rural communities, the world of farming is multifaceted. It’s a system that feeds billions and shapes economies, cultures, and environments. ## What is Agriculture? Agriculture is the cornerstone of human civilization. It is a complex interplay of science, art, and practice dedicated to cultivating the earth, producing sustenance, and raising livestock. It’s the foundation upon which societies have risen, economies have flourished, and cultures have thrived. At its core, agriculture is about harnessing nature’s potential. It involves carefully managing soil, water, and living organisms to produce food, fiber, fuel, and other valuable products. [...] ### What Are the Benefits of Agriculture? Agriculture is crucial for human life. It provides food, supports economies, and supplies raw materials. Sustainable practices can also benefit the environment. ### Which of the Following Types of Agriculture is Used Most Widely Throughout the World? Industrial agriculture dominates global food production due to its focus on high yields. However, there’s a growing shift towards more sustainable methods. ### What Distinguishes Organic Agriculture From Other Types of Sustainable Agriculture? Organic agriculture has strict standards and a complete ban on synthetic inputs. It prioritizes soil health and natural processes, differentiating it from other sustainable approaches. ### Why Was Agriculture Important to the Development of Civilization?

• 5.2 Types of Agriculture – People, Places, and Cultures

  The most abundant type of agriculture practiced around the world is intensive subsistence agriculture, which is highly dependent on animal power, and is commonly practiced in the humid, tropical regions of the world. This type of farming is evidenced by significant efforts to adapt the landscape to increase food production. As the word implies, this form of subsistence agriculture is highly labor-intensive on the farmer using limited space and limited waste. This is a widespread practice in East Asia, South Asia, and Southeast Asia where population densities are high, and land use is limited. The most common form is wet rice fields, but could also include non-wet rice fields like wheat and barley. In sunny locations and long growing seasons, farmers may be able to efficiently get two [...] Subsistence agriculture is the production of food primarily for consumption by the farmer and mostly found in less developed countries. In subsistence agriculture, small-scale farming is primarily grown for consumption by the farmer and their family. Sometimes if there is a surplus of food, it might be sold, but that is not common. In commercial agriculture, the primary objective is to make a profit. [...] One of the reasons why only 2 percent of the United States workforce can feed the entire nation has to do with machinery, which can harvest crops at a large scale and very quickly. MDCs also have access to transportation networks to provide perishable foods like dairy long distances in a short amount of time. Commercial farmers rely on the latest scientific improvements to generate higher yields, including crop rotation, herbicides and fertilizers, and hybrid plants and animal breeds.

• AGRICULTURE Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

  Est. 1828 Definition Definition Synonyms Example Sentences Word History Phrases Containing Rhymes Entries Near + Cite this EntryCitation + Kids DefinitionKids + More from M-W Show more Show more + Citation + Kids + More from M-W + To save this word, you'll need to log in. Log In # agriculture ## noun ag·​ri·​cul·​ture ˈa-gri-ˌkəl-chər How to pronounce agriculture (audio)") Synonyms of agriculturenext : the science, art, or practice of cultivating the soil, producing crops, and raising livestock and in varying degrees the preparation and marketing of the resulting products cleared the land to use it for agriculture agriculturist ˌa-gri-ˈkəl-ch(ə-)rist How to pronounce agriculture (audio)") noun or agriculturalist [...] agriculturist See all Nearby Words ## Cite this Entry “Agriculture.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, Accessed 19 Mar. 2026. Copy Citation ## Kids Definition agriculture noun ag·​ri·​cul·​ture ˈag-ri-ˌkəl-chər How to pronounce agriculture (audio)") : the science or occupation of cultivating the soil, producing crops, and raising livestock : farming agriculturist ˌag-ri-ˈkəlch- (ə-)rəst How to pronounce agriculture (audio)") noun or agriculturalist -(ə-)rə-ləst How to pronounce agriculture (audio)") ## More from Merriam-Webster on agriculture Nglish: Translation of agriculture for Spanish Speakers Last Updated: - Updated example sentences Love words? Need even more definitions? [...] noun or agriculturalist ˌa-gri-ˈkəl-ch(ə-)rə-list How to pronounce agriculture (audio)") ## Synonyms of agriculture Relevance farming See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus ## Examples of agriculture in a Sentence They cleared the land to use it for agriculture. the forest was cut down, and the land given over to agriculture Recent Examples on the Web Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

• Instance Of

  Q3331189