Agriculture Abbreviations

What is agriculture?

Agriculture is a term that refers to the art of cultivating the fields, also representing the work and techniques used to obtain agricultural products.

Economist Colin Clark, responsible for dividing a country’s economy into three categories, said that agriculture, along with forestry, livestock and fisheries, constitute the primary sector of the economy.

As plant development is closely related to soil characteristics (structure, texture, content of mineral substances, humus and microorganisms), water table level and climate (temperature, precipitation, wind), maximum yields are obtained by cultivating the plants that best adapt to the conditions of a particular place.

Climatic conditions can only be improved in special circumstances, for example by artificial irrigation or protection against adverse agents. However, the characteristics of the soil can be improved in a fruitful way, through the use of fertilizers, pH correctors or resorting to the drainage of very humid soils.

Agronomy is the science that analyzes the properties of soils and plants to improve techniques used in agriculture. Given the increase in population density, measures to increase yields through the control of climatic and soil conditions are increasingly important. The practice of cultivation in greenhouses and the development of methods that prevent animals from destroying crops were very important.

Agricultural land use began in the Neolithic period. In the different degrees of evolution that followed until the present development, the use of the hoe and the plow, of draft animals (cargo), the obtaining of artificial fertilizers and the introduction of agricultural machines were essential.

For several millennia, agriculture was the main economic activity in the world. Despite this, in the last two centuries, and especially in more industrialized societies, there has been a reduction in the number of individuals engaged in agriculture. This can be explained by the phenomenon of migration to cities. Despite this, technological advances allow the production of more agricultural goods with fewer people working in this area.

Agricultural incomes are quite fluctuating according to economic cycles, which implies constant state intervention in agricultural prices.

A farmer is a person who dedicates himself to agriculture, whether he is the owner, tenant or administrator of an agricultural holding, without the need to have specific studies, since agricultural studies are not a precondition for exercising this profession.

Family farming

It is not easy to conceptualize family farming, because as a concept it has changed over time. Family farming is seen as the cultivation of land by a family, where farmers are managers and workers of their own land.

However, family farming may not represent a small production, small farmer or subsistence agriculture. Many of these terms imply that the farmer lives in a precarious situation, which may not be true.

Family farming differs from subsistence farming because in the latter all the products are used for the survival of the farmer and his family. Unlike commercial agriculture, in subsistence agriculture products are not sold.

Organic agriculture

Also known as organic farming, organic farming refers to production without the use of pesticides, with the aim of obtaining healthier, natural and longer-lasting products. In many cases, agriculture is closely related to sustainable agriculture.

Agriculture in Brazil

Considered by many people as the breadbasket of the world, Brazil is one of the largest agricultural producers in the world. The main products are sugarcane, coffee, soybeans and corn. Agriculture is one of the main bases of Brazil’s economy, representing about 14% of the national GDP.

List of Acronyms Related to Agriculture