Page 163 - SST Class 08

Transportation Facilities : In commercial type TYPES OF FARMING
of farming transportation facilities play a signifi- Due to variable environmental conditions in the
cant role. Indeed they determine its genus. In world, various types of farming have developed.
regions far flung from markets and ill-equipped The different types of farming may also be
with transportation facilities commercial farming modified due to changing geographical condi-
is a remote possibility. The term 'truck farming' tions or historical background. On the basis of
bears the unmistakable influence of transporta- geographical conditions, demand of the prod-
tion facilities on agriculture. ucts, labour and level of technology, farming can

The economic history of the world records the be classified into the following main types :
changes in agriculture patterns as induced by Subsistence Farming
transportation facilities. Improvements in the
This type of farming is practised to meet the
realm of transportation and communication have
needs of the farmer’s family. Traditionally, low
rendered possible regional specialisation and thus
levels of technology and household labour are
made feasible fuller utilisation of the peculiar used to produce on small output. Subsistence
features of the specific soils and climates. farming can be further classified as intensive
Labour : Labour supply determines the charac- subsistence and primitive subsistence farming.
ter of agriculture. Intensive agriculture is essen- In intensive subsistence agriculture, the farmer
tially labour-intensive and exemplifies the human cultivates a small plot of land using simple tools
pressure on land. and more labour. Climate with large number of
Agriculture requires skilled labour that can days with sunshine and fertile soils permit grow-
appreciate the subtle relations of seasons and ing of more than one crop annually on the same
soils with crops and adopt the requisite cultural plot. Rice is the main crop. Other crops include
practices. Again, it is the supply of agricultural wheat, maize, pulses and oilseeds. Intensive
labour that determines the timely sowing, har- subsistence agriculture is prevalent in the thickly
vesting and other cultural practices and ensures populated areas of the monsoon regions of
good returns. South, Southeast and East Asia.
Primitive subsistence agriculture includes shifting
cultivation and nomadic herding.

Shifting Cultivation
Shifting cultivation is practised in the thickly
forested areas of Amazon Basin, Tropical Africa,
parts of Southeast Asia and Northeast India.
These are the areas of heavy rainfall and quick
regeneration of vegetation. A plot of land is
cleared by felling the trees and burning them.
Labour The ashes are then mixed with the soil and crops
Capital : The modern mechanised farming has like maize, yam, potatoes and cassava are
become capital-intensive to a large extent. The grown. After the soil loses its fertility, the land is
farmer has to invest large amount of capital in abandoned and the cultivator moves to a new
agriculture because he has to buy agricultural plot. Shifting cultivation is also known as ‘slash
machinery and chemical fertilizers. and burn’ agriculture.

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