Farming Techniques Edited by Joe Naumann

Agriculture Agriculture includes both subsistence agriculture, which is producing enough food to meet the needs of the farmer and family, but no more) and also (almost universally in the "developed" nations and increasingly so in other areas) the production of financial income from cultivation of the land or commercial raising of animals (animal husbandry) In the Western world, use of improved genetics, better management of soil nutrients, and improved weed control have greatly increased yields per acre. At the same time, use of mechanization has decreased labor requirements, releasing most of the populace from intense agricultural labor.

Crop Rotation Some of the general purposes of rotations are to improve or maintain soil fertility, reduce erosion, reduce the build-up of pests, spread the workload, reduce risk of weather damage, reduce reliance on agricultural chemicals, and increase net profits.

Terrace Farming Terrace farming consists of building a series of step like benches. These benches are supported by either sod or stone walls. Each level slows the flow of water runoff, slowing the erosion process. They also bring into tillage areas that formerly could not be farmed. Much of the rice that comes from Vietnam, Thailand, and other Southeast Asian countries is grown on terraces. This is a very labor- intensive method used where level land is scarce.

Slash and Burn Agriculture Small-scale, tropical, subsistence farming has sustained people for centuries Large-scale conversion of forests for agricultural lands, however, is the most important cause of deforestation in the tropics.

Paddy Farming Is labor intensive and is conducted mostly by East Asian countries.

Large-scale, Machine-intensive Agriculture It is practiced on grasslands like the North American Great Plains, Russian steppes, Pampas of Argentina, etc. Hybrid seeds, chemical insecticides, fungicides, and fertilizers are used in this farming technique. Successful farms are large and have large investments in capital equipment.