Question

Agriculture has experienced dramatic transformation over the past 50 years as it has become increasingly industrialized through technological, political, social, and economic forces. Despite this transformation, there are geographical differences in agricultural systems because certain places continue to practice subsistence agriculture. Using different sources in addition to your textbook, evaluate the two dominant forms of subsistence agriculture – shifting cultivation and intensive subsistence agriculture.

Consider these questions in your response:

Where in the world are they practiced and why? You should include specific examples.

What crops are grown with these methods?

What are the advantages for the environment?

What are the challenges for the human population?

How do these methods of farming compare to organic farming as well as urban agriculture in other parts of the world?

Answer 1

• Shifting agriculture refers to shifting of land for the purpose of agriculture. A part of land is temporarily cultivated for few years and the left abandoned so the land can restore its natural properties.

It is practiced by people of Amazon and south Africa.

• Intensive subsistence agriculture is where people use large inputs in form of fertilizers, pesticides, and labor. It is kind of self-sufficiency farming where one grows crop to fulfil need of their family.

This type of agriculture is practiced in India, China, Vietnam etc.

• Rice, Maize, vegetables and many other crops can be grown with shifting agriculture.
• Paddy, wheat, pulses, and vegetables can be grown with intensive subsistence agriculture.

Advantages of shifting and intensive subsistence agriculture is maintenance of the fertility of soil. But excess use of land can lead to destruction of fertility of soil as well.

As human population is increasing alarmingly, so it is necessary to fulfil needs of them. To produce sufficient and quality food for the increasing population is major challenge.

Organic farming do not harm soil on this level as this above mentioned methods do. Organic farming is beneficial for not only humans but also for environment.