Question

Technological improvements have changed economies of scale in both commercial and subsistence agriculture.

A. Compare and contrast subsistence and commercial farming with regard to purpose, characteristics, and employment.
B. Describe two types of subsistence agriculture and identify geographic regions and climate zones where they are practiced.
C. Describe two types of commercial agriculture and identify geographic regions and climate zones where they are practiced.

Answer 1

Subsistence farming is aimed at family necessity with minimal employment beyond the household, while commercial agriculture focuses on mass production for profit, employing numerous workers. Shifting cultivation and pastoral nomadism are types of subsistence agriculture in tropical rainforests and arid regions, respectively. Plantation and grain farming are forms of commercial agriculture found in tropical and temperate climates.

Step-by-step explanation:

Comparing Subsistence and Commercial Farming

Subsistence farming is where farmers produce crops and livestock primarily for their family's consumption with little to no surplus for trade. Its main purpose is to satisfy the basic needs of the farmer's family. On the other hand, commercial agriculture is characterized by mass-production of food for profit, often involving advanced technology and economies of scale for large markets. Employment in subsistence farming usually involves family members, whereas commercial farming may employ large numbers of workers and professionals with specialized skills.

Types of Subsistence Agriculture

Two common types of subsistence agriculture are shifting cultivation, practiced in tropical rainforests such as the Amazon, and pastoral nomadism, found in arid regions like the Sahara Desert. Shifting cultivation involves clearing and using a plot of land until its resources are depleted and then moving to a new area. Pastoral nomadism is characterized by the movement of livestock according to seasonal patterns and vegetation availability.

Types of Commercial Agriculture

Examples of commercial agriculture include plantation agriculture, common in tropical climates of regions like Southeast Asia, and grain farming, which is widespread in the temperate zones of the Great Plains of the USA and the steppes of Russia. Plantation agriculture involves large-scale farms that specialize in one or two high-demand crops for export markets, while grain farming is characterized by extensive cultivation of cereal crops for both domestic consumption and export.