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Chapter 12: Problem 1

Describe the differences between subsistence and modern agriculture. What are major components of the agricultural revolution. What are the environmental costs of each?

Short Answer

Expert verified
Subsistence agriculture involves small-scale farming for personal consumption while modern agriculture employs technology for large-scale farming primarily for profit. Major components of agricultural revolution include new crop rotation, selective breeding, technology use, and increased use of financial services and chemical inputs. Subsistence farming has lesser environmental costs when compared to modern agriculture, which frequently results in environmental degradation through deforestation, soil erosion, and chemical pollution.

Step by step solution

01

Define Subsistence and Modern Agriculture

Subsistence agriculture refers to a mode of farming in which the crops grown are used to feed the farmer and his family, with little or no surplus for sale. Modern agriculture, or industrial agriculture, is a more sophisticated form of farming that uses technology and mechanization to increase yield, labor efficiency, and profit.
02

Highlight Differences between Subsistence and Modern Agriculture

The primary difference lies in the scale of production and the level of mechanization. In subsistence farming, production is often small scale and the use of machinery is minimal or non-existent. Whereas in modern agriculture, there is a large scale use of machinery and advanced technologies.
03

Define Components of the Agricultural Revolution

The major components of the agricultural revolution include: new crop rotation systems, adoption of select breeding, extensive use of new technology and increased use of financial services and chemical inputs such as fertilizers and pesticides.
04

Analyze Environmental Costs

In subsistence farming, environmental costs are typically less since farming practices tend to be sustainable and manageable in scale. On the other hand, modern agriculture often leads to the degradation of the environment due to soil erosion, deforestation, and pollution from chemical inputs.

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