HKDSE Geography/M5/Types of Agriculture

There are several ways to classify agriculture: Output type Arable farmingCrop cultivation only Pastoral farmingLivestock rearing only Mixed farmingBoth crop cultivation and livestock rearing Output use Subsistence farmingFarm outputs are for own consumption Commercial farmingFarm outputs are for sale in the market Input-land ratio Intensive farmingHigh input-land ratio Extensive farmingLow input-land ratio Input proportion Labour-intensive farmingLabour is the most important input Capital-intensive farmingCapital and technology are the most important inputs Permanance of site Sedentary farmingThe farmland or pastureland is permanent Non-sedentary farmingThe farmland or pastureland is temporary and constantly moves Technology level High-technology farmingHigh technology and a lot of energy is used Low-technology farmingLow technology and little energy is used Output variety MonocultureOnly one type of crop is grown on the land PolycultureMultiple crop types are grown on the land Specialised farmingA farm specialises in certain types of crops Water use Irrigation farmingFarming that requires irrigation of crops Rain-fed farmingFarming that relies mainly on rainfall as a water source Important Examples Wheat-sheep farming in Australia is an example of extensive mixed farming. Greenhouse cultivation is an example of intensive commercial farming. Nomadic herding and shifting cultivation (more about that in M7) are examples of non-sedentary farming. Important Relationships Also note these relationships: Arable farming is preferred in areas with favourable physical inputs like high rainfall and temperature. Irrigation farming and pastoral farming are practiced in areas with more severe conditions. Areas with large and low-cost labour supply generally practice intensive farming. Areas with favourable cultural factors are more likely to practice commercial farming. Areas far away from markets with limited technology and capital tend to practice subsistence farming.