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Commercial Agriculture

Definition

Commercial agriculture involves farming primarily for profit. It's characterized by high levels of labor and capital inputs, and the use of modern technology.

Analogy

Think of commercial agriculture like a big factory production line but for food. Instead of producing cars or electronics, they're producing crops or livestock on a large scale to sell in markets.

Case Studies

case studies

Impact

Commercial agriculture transforms rural landscapes, encourages technological advancement in farming, and can lead to urbanization as smaller farms are bought out. It influences global trade patterns, often leading to migration as labor demands shift and impacting local economies either positively through increased GDP or negatively by reinforcing economic dependencies.

Related terms

Monoculture: This is when a single crop is grown on a large scale. It's like having an entire factory dedicated to making only one type of car model.

Agribusiness: This refers to the various businesses involved in food production, including farming, seed supply, agrichemicals, farm machinery, wholesale and distribution, processing, marketing, and retail sales. It's like all the different companies that work together to produce and sell a car - from those who make the parts to those who advertise it.

Cash Crop: A cash crop is any crop that is grown for the purpose of selling for profit rather than personal consumption. It's like creating products specifically to sell in stores rather than making them for your own use at home.