Final answer:
Intensive agriculture maximizes output from small land plots with labor-intensive methods like plowing and irrigation, leading to high efficiency and the ability to support larger populations. It contrasts with extensive farming, which spreads over a larger area with diversified crops. Intensive methods help create a societal surplus supporting various non-farming professions.
Step-by-step explanation:
“Intensive agriculture” is a form of farming that differs from other types of agriculture by focusing on maximizing the output from smaller plots of land through the use of labor-intensive methods. Unlike “extensive farming”, which uses large areas of land to cultivate different crops, intensive farming applies various techniques to enhance productivity on the same plots repetitively. This method supports higher populations through larger yields, producing a surplus that allows for specialized roles within societies, such as craft production, trade, religion, and government.Key techniques used in intensive agriculture include plowing, which turns over the upper layer of soil bringing fresh nutrients to the surface; irrigation, a crucial addition to ensure plants receive the necessary water for growth, particularly important in regions where rainfall is insufficient or variable; and the strategic use of fertilizers, which provide essential nutrients to crops. These methods contribute to the high efficiency of intensive agriculture.Plows and other mechanized tools such as tractors play a vital role in modern intensive farming, often powered by fossil fuels which have increased efficiency but also have environmental impacts. The application of artificial fertilizers alongside these methods further promotes the high productivity of intensive agricultural systems, which is crucial for the mass-production of commodities. While these technologies have led to a decrease in the manual labor required, they have also led to an interdependency on various sectors involved in the agriculture industry, including machinery manufacture, fertilizer production, and transportation.