Subsistence Farming

Definition

Subsistence farming is an agricultural practice where farmers grow crops and raise livestock primarily for personal consumption rather than for commercial sale. It is a type of economy focused on producing enough food and other necessities to meet the basic needs of a household or community, with little or no surplus for trade.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Subsistence farming is often practiced in developing countries and rural areas, where access to markets and resources for commercial agriculture may be limited.
2. Farmers engaged in subsistence farming typically use traditional tools and techniques, such as hand-held implements and animal-powered plows, rather than modern machinery.
3. Crop rotation, intercropping, and the use of organic fertilizers are common practices in subsistence farming to maintain soil fertility and biodiversity.
4. Subsistence farmers may supplement their food production with hunting, fishing, and gathering of wild plants and resources from the surrounding environment.
5. The lack of surplus production and limited access to markets can make subsistence farmers vulnerable to environmental and economic shocks, such as droughts, pests, and price fluctuations.

Review Questions

• Describe the key characteristics of subsistence farming and how it differs from commercial agriculture.
  • Subsistence farming is an agricultural practice where the primary goal is to produce enough food and other necessities to meet the basic needs of a household or community, rather than for commercial sale or profit. Unlike commercial agriculture, which focuses on maximizing production for the market, subsistence farming typically uses traditional tools and techniques, practices crop rotation and intercropping to maintain soil fertility, and may supplement food production with hunting, fishing, and gathering of wild resources. The lack of surplus production and limited access to markets can make subsistence farmers vulnerable to environmental and economic shocks.
• Explain the role of subsistence farming in the context of economic systems and how it relates to the concept of a subsistence economy.
  • Subsistence farming is closely tied to the concept of a subsistence economy, where the primary goal is to produce enough goods and services to meet the basic needs of the individual or community, rather than for profit or trade. In a subsistence economy, subsistence farming plays a crucial role in providing food, clothing, and other necessities for the household or community. This type of economic system contrasts with commercial or market-based economies, where the production and exchange of goods and services are driven by the pursuit of profit and trade. Subsistence farming is often found in developing countries and rural areas where access to resources and markets for commercial agriculture may be limited.
• Analyze the potential benefits and challenges of subsistence farming in the context of sustainable development and the transition towards more diverse and resilient food systems.
  • Subsistence farming can offer potential benefits for sustainable development and resilient food systems. By focusing on diversified crop production, the use of organic fertilizers, and the integration of hunting, fishing, and gathering, subsistence farming can help maintain soil fertility, biodiversity, and ecosystem services. This approach can also reduce the reliance on external inputs and fossil fuels, contributing to a more environmentally sustainable food system. However, the lack of surplus production and limited access to markets can make subsistence farmers vulnerable to environmental and economic shocks, potentially undermining their ability to meet their basic needs. Transitioning towards more diverse and resilient food systems may involve incorporating elements of subsistence farming, such as agroecological practices and the integration of traditional knowledge, while also improving access to markets, resources, and support services for subsistence farmers. This balanced approach can help address the challenges of subsistence farming while leveraging its potential benefits for sustainable development.

Related terms

Subsistence Economy: An economic system where the goal is to produce enough goods and services to meet the basic needs of the individual or community, rather than for profit or trade.

Slash-and-Burn Agriculture: A type of subsistence farming where land is cleared for cultivation by cutting and burning the existing vegetation, then abandoned after a few years of use.

Horticulture: A form of subsistence farming that involves the cultivation of small-scale, labor-intensive gardens and orchards to produce a variety of fruits, vegetables, and other crops.