"Agriculture encompasses crop and livestock production, aquaculture, fisheries and forestry for food and non-food products."
Examines global agricultural issues, such as food security, rural development, trade barriers, and the impact of globalization on agriculture markets and production.
Agronomy: Agronomy is the study of crop production, soil management, and the cultivation of crops for food, fuel, and fiber. It encompasses the science and practice of crop planting, management, and harvesting.
Agribusiness: Agribusiness refers to the business of farming, including everything from the production of crops and livestock to the processing, marketing, and distribution of agricultural products.
Agricultural Development: Agricultural development refers to the implementation of strategies, programs, and policies that promote sustainable development in the agricultural sector. It encompasses a range of activities, including research and development of new agricultural technologies and practices, training and education programs for farmers, and policies and programs that promote access to markets and financial resources.
Agricultural Economics: Agricultural economics is the study of the economic principles that underlie the production, consumption, and distribution of agricultural products. It deals with issues such as production costs, market prices, government policies, and the impacts of technology on the agricultural sector.
Agriculture and the Environment: Agriculture has a significant impact on the environment, and this topic explores the relationship between agricultural practices and environmental sustainability. It focuses on issues such as the use of pesticides and fertilizers, soil erosion, water conservation, and the impact of agriculture on biodiversity.
Biotechnology in Agriculture: Biotechnology has revolutionized the agricultural sector, changing the way crops are cultivated, processed, and marketed. This topic explores the use of biotechnology in agriculture, including genetic engineering, plant breeding, and the use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs).
Food Security: Food security is the ability of individuals, communities, and countries to access enough safe and nutritious food to meet their dietary needs. This topic explores the factors that impact food security, including climate change, population growth, and economic development.
International Trade: International trade plays a critical role in the agricultural sector, with many countries relying on agricultural exports to support their economies. This topic explores the challenges and opportunities associated with international trade in agricultural products, including trade agreements, tariffs, and import/export regulations.
Land Use in Agriculture: Land use is a critical issue in agriculture, as the availability and quality of land directly impacts crop yields and food production. This topic explores the various types of land use in agriculture, including crop production, grazing, and forestry.
Livestock Production: Livestock production refers to the cultivation and management of farm animals for the production of meat, dairy, and other animal products. This topic explores the various types of livestock production systems, including industrial farming, pastoralism, and agroforestry.
Plant Genetics and Breeding: Plant genetics and breeding play a critical role in the agricultural sector, with new crop varieties developed to help farmers meet the increasing demands for food. This topic explores the science of plant genetics and the methods used to breed crops with desirable traits such as disease resistance, drought tolerance, and improved nutritional content.
Soil Science: Soil science is the study of soil properties and their impact on crop growth and fertility. This topic explores the physical, chemical, and biological properties of soil, as well as the factors that impact soil health, including erosion, salinization, and nutrient depletion.
Sustainable Agriculture: Sustainable agriculture refers to the use of farming practices that are environmentally sound, economically viable, and socially responsible. This topic explores the principles of sustainable agriculture, including crop rotation, conservation tillage, and integrated pest management.
Water Resources in Agriculture: Water is a critical resource in agriculture, and its availability and quality directly impact crop yields and food production. This topic explores the various ways water is used in agriculture, as well as the challenges associated with water management, including drought, water pollution, and irrigation efficiency.
Crop Farming: Crop farming is the most common type of commercial agriculture, which involves the cultivation of crops for sale in local, national, or international markets. Crops like wheat, rice, corn, soybeans, and cotton are commonly grown in crop farming.
Animal Husbandry: Animal husbandry is the raising and breeding of animals for commercial purposes. This type of agriculture includes the production of meat, dairy products, and eggs.
Aquaculture: Aquaculture is the farming of aquatic organisms such as fish, crustaceans, and mollusks in controlled environments for commercial purposes. This type of agriculture has gained increasing popularity in recent years as a way to meet the growing demand for seafood.
Forestry: Forestry involves the cultivation, management, and conservation of forested lands for commercial purposes such as the production of lumber, paper, and other wood products.
Agroforestry: Agroforestry integrates trees with crop, livestock, or aquaculture production to create more productive and sustainable agricultural systems. The trees provide shade and protection for the crops and animals, while the livestock and crops help to maintain the health of the trees.
Organic Agriculture: Organic agriculture involves the cultivation of crops and the raising of livestock without the use of synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, or genetically modified organisms. This type of agriculture is becoming increasingly popular due to concerns about the environmental and health impacts of conventional agriculture.
Urban Agriculture: Urban agriculture refers to the cultivation of crops and the raising of animals in urban or peri-urban areas for commercial purposes. This type of agriculture is often used to improve access to fresh, healthy food in urban areas.
Precision Agriculture: Precision agriculture involves the use of advanced technologies such as GPS, sensors, and drones to optimize crop and livestock production, reduce waste, and minimize environmental impacts.
Greenhouse Agriculture: Greenhouse agriculture involves the cultivation of crops in controlled environments such as greenhouses or other structures. This type of agriculture allows for year-round production and protection from pests and other environmental threats.
Hydroponic Agriculture: Hydroponic agriculture involves the cultivation of crops in nutrient-rich water solutions without soil. This type of agriculture is becoming increasingly popular due to its potential to produce high yields in small spaces with minimal water use.
"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 twentieth century, industrial agriculture based on large-scale monocultures came to dominate agricultural output."
"Today, small farms produce about a third of the world's food."
"Nearly 40 percent of agricultural land is found on farms larger than 1,000 hectares."
"However, five of every six farms in the world consist of less than two hectares..."
"The major agricultural products can be broadly grouped into foods, fibers, fuels, and raw materials."
"Global agricultural production amounts to approximately 11 billion tonnes of food..."
"However, around 14 percent 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..."
"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."
"Agriculture encompasses... forestry for non-food products."
"Global agricultural production amounts to... 4 billion m3 of wood."