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In this lesson we are going to discuss about the types of agriculture

Answer Text:
Types of Agriculture
1. Arable Farming
- Cultivation and management of crops.
Types
a) Subsistence Arable farming
- Growing crops to provide for the farmer and his family.
Types
i) Shifting
Cultivation/Simple Subsistence Farming
- Farming in which a plot in a virgin forest is cultivated for 3-5 years after which its left fallow to regain fertility and a new section of forest is
cultivated.
- Areas where it’s practiced - D.R.C, Zambia and Malaysia.
Method of Cultivation
a) A plot is sited in a virgin forest on well drained hill slopes.
b) Land is slashed and vegetation put on fire for ashes provide potash which improves fertility.
c) The land is dug using simple tools such as hoes or digging stick.
d) Staggered planting is done throughout the year to have a continuous supply of food.
e) The plot is cultivated for a period of 3-5yrs after which it’s abandoned and a new section of forest is cleared.

Characteristics
a) There is migration from one plot to another when the former plot loses fertility.
b) Cultivated areas are usually small (1-3 acres).
c) Very little attention is given to land and crops.
d) Short periods of crop occupancy alternate with long periods of fallowing.
e) Mainly uses manual labour provided by the immediate family.
f) Use of simple tools.
g) Crops are mainly starchy foods e.g. cassava, yams, millet, etc.
h) Land is cultivated by slash and burning.

Disadvantages
a) Exposes land to soil erosion on the plots which have been left fallow.
b) Doesn’t guarantee sufficient food production.
c) Extensive destruction of vegetation when fires get out of control.
d) Wasteful because sections of land stay fallow for a very long time.
e) Only practicable in areas with sparse population and plenty of land.
f) There are hardly any monetary gains because the produce is only enough for home consumption.

ii) Sedentary Subsistence Agriculture
- Farming in which the community permanently stays in one place.
- Areas where it’s practiced – tropical lowlands, C. America and S.E Asia.

Characteristics
a) The community occupies a permanent dwelling spot.
b) Fallowed fields are frequently reused.
c) Crop rotation is practiced in some areas.
d) More attention is given to the land and crops sown.
e) More labour is used in the field.
f) Can support a larger population compared to shifting cultivation.

iii) Intensive Subsistence Agriculture
- Farming which involves maximum utilization of all cultivable land.
- Carried out in areas experiencing population pressure so as to grow sufficient food to feed the population e.g. Japan, China,
Srilanka, Pakistan, Kakamega, Nyeri, Kisii, etc.
Types
a) Dominated by other types of crops
b) Dominated by wet paddy
Characteristics
a) Very small plots resulting from years of fragmentation.
b) Intensive use of land.
c) Most work is carried out by hand.
d) Simple implements e.g. hoes, ploughs etc.
e) Several crops are grown on the same piece of land during the course of the year.
f) Crops vary from region to region e.g. Kenya - maize, beans, potatoes, Asia - rice in some areas, others-wheat, soya beans and barley.
g) Livestock rearing is almost nonexistent because there is no land for growing pasture.
h) Use of manure and chemical fertilizers to sustain high soil fertility for maximum yields.
i) Use of Irrigation to make up inadequacy of moisture.