5.1 Introduction to Agriculture

Physical Geography and Agricultural Practices 

Physical geography is the study of the natural features of the Earth's surface, including landforms, bodies of water, and the atmosphere. It includes the study of processes such as erosion, weathering, and plate tectonics, which shape and reshape the Earth's surface over time. Agricultural practices refer to the ways in which crops and livestock are grown and managed on a farm or ranch. These practices can be influenced by a variety of factors, including the physical geography of the area where the agriculture is taking place. For example, the type of crops that can be grown may be limited by the climate and soil conditions in a particular region, and the location of a farm or ranch may influence the availability of water for irrigation.

How are they related?

Physical geography and agricultural practices are related in a number of ways. The physical features of a region, such as its climate, soil type, and topography, can have a significant impact on the types of crops that can be grown and the methods of agriculture that are used. For example, a region with a hot, dry climate may be well suited for growing crops like cotton or wheat, while a region with a cold, wet climate may be better suited for growing crops like potatoes or hay. The availability of water for irrigation can also be influenced by physical geography, with farms and ranches in areas with access to rivers or groundwater sources being more likely to use irrigation to support crop growth. In addition, physical geography can also influence the type of livestock that can be raised in a particular region. For example, cattle may be more suited to regions with grassy pastures, while sheep may be more adapted to regions with hilly or rocky terrain.

Intensive Farming Practices 

Intensive farming is a type of agricultural production that involves the use of high levels of inputs, such as chemicals, fertilizers, and irrigation, in order to maximize crop yields. Intensive farming practices are designed to make the most efficient use of land, labor, and capital in order to produce large quantities of food at a low cost. These practices can involve the use of high-yielding crop varieties, the application of chemical fertilizers and pesticides to promote plant growth and control pests, and the use of irrigation to ensure that crops have a consistent supply of water.

Intensive farming practices are often used in areas with high population density, where there is a high demand for food and a limited amount of land available for agriculture. These practices can be successful in increasing crop yields and meeting the food needs of a growing population, but they can also have negative impacts on the environment and human health. The use of chemical inputs can lead to soil degradation and water pollution, and the intensive confinement of animals in factory farms can have negative impacts on animal welfare.

Some examples of intensive farming practices include:

1. Monoculture: This is the practice of growing a single crop over a large area. Monoculture can be efficient in terms of land use and labor, but it can also be risky, as the crops are vulnerable to pests and diseases that can spread easily in a monoculture system.
2. Irrigation: This is the practice of artificially providing water to crops in order to supplement natural rainfall. Irrigation can be used to support crop growth in areas with limited rainfall or during times of drought.
3. Chemical fertilizers: These are substances that are applied to soil to provide plants with the nutrients they need to grow. Chemical fertilizers can be used to improve soil fertility and increase crop yields, but they can also have negative impacts on the environment if they are not used carefully.
4. Pesticides: These are chemicals that are used to control pests, such as insects, weeds, and fungi, that can damage crops. Pesticides can be effective at controlling pests, but they can also have negative impacts on non-target species and the environment if they are not used responsibly.
5. Factory farming: This is a type of intensive animal production that involves confining large numbers of animals in small spaces and providing them with a highly controlled diet and environment. Factory farming can be efficient in terms of producing meat, milk, and eggs, but it can also have negative impacts on animal welfare and the environment.

Mixed crop/livestock systems and plantation agriculture are two intensive farming practices you should remember for the AP Exam: 

Mixed crop/livestock systems are agricultural systems that involve the production of both crops and livestock on the same piece of land. This type of agriculture can be more sustainable than intensive monoculture systems, as the crops and livestock can benefit from each other and help to build soil fertility and reduce the need for external inputs such as chemical fertilizers. 

One example of a mixed crop/livestock system is a small-scale diversified farm that raises a variety of crops and animals. On such a farm, the farmer might grow a mix of crops, such as vegetables, grains, and legumes, and raise animals such as cows, chickens, and pigs. The animals may be used for meat, milk, eggs, and draft power, and the manure they produce may be used to fertilize the crops. The crops, in turn, may provide feed for the animals and diversify the farm's income streams. This type of farming system can be more sustainable than monoculture systems, as the different crops and animals can help to build soil fertility and reduce the need for external inputs such as chemical fertilizers. It can also provide the farmer with a diverse range of products to sell, helping to reduce the risks associated with relying on a single crop or animal.

Plantation agriculture is a type of large-scale, monoculture farming that involves the cultivation of a single crop, typically a tropical export crop such as coffee, cocoa, or bananas, on a large piece of land. Plantation agriculture is often characterized by the use of large amounts of chemical inputs, such as fertilizers and pesticides, and the use of mechanization to maximize efficiency. Plantation agriculture can be a lucrative form of agriculture for the growers, but it can also have negative impacts on the environment and local communities, including soil degradation, water pollution, and negative impacts on small farmers.

An example of plantation agriculture is a large-scale farm that grows a single crop, such as cocoa, for export. On such a farm, the land is typically cleared of natural vegetation and planted with a single variety of cocoa trees, which are spaced closely together and pruned to a specific height to facilitate harvesting. The cocoa trees may be fertilized with chemical fertilizers and protected from pests with pesticides. The farm may also use mechanical equipment such as tractors and combine harvesters to plant, cultivate, and harvest the cocoa. The harvested cocoa beans are typically processed and sold to chocolate manufacturers or other buyers. This type of agriculture can be highly profitable for the growers, but it can also have negative impacts on the environment and local communities, including soil degradation, water pollution, and negative impacts on small farmers.

Extensive Farming Practices

Nomadic Herding, Ranching, and Shifting Cultivation are three types of extensive farming practices that you should be familiar with for the AP Exam: 

Extensive farming is a type of agricultural production that involves the use of relatively low levels of inputs, such as labor, capital, and chemicals, in order to produce crops or livestock. Extensive farming systems are often characterized by large land holdings, low levels of mechanization, and a reliance on natural resources such as sunlight and rainfall to support crop growth. These systems are typically found in areas with low population density and abundant land, where the cost of inputs such as fertilizers and irrigation water is high.

Examples of extensive farming practices include:

1. Pastoralism: This is the practice of raising livestock, such as cattle, sheep, or goats, on large areas of land, often in a nomadic or semi-nomadic way. Pastoralists may move their animals from place to place in search of fresh pasture and water.
2. Subsistence farming: This is a type of agriculture that is carried out to produce food and other necessities for the farmer and their family, rather than for sale on the market. Subsistence farmers may grow a variety of crops and raise animals for their own consumption, and may rely on traditional farming methods and local resources.
3. Shifting cultivation: This is a type of agriculture that involves clearing a small area of land, planting crops for a few years, and then moving on to a new plot of land when the soil fertility declines. Shifting cultivation is often practiced by small-scale farmers in tropical regions.
4. Extensive animal husbandry: This is a type of animal production that involves raising large numbers of animals on large areas of land, often with relatively low levels of inputs such as feed and veterinary care. Extensive animal husbandry systems may be found in areas with abundant natural pasture or grassland.

🎥 Watch: AP HUG - Types of Agriculture