Subsistence agriculture

Definition

Subsistence agriculture is a farming system in which families grow food primarily for their own consumption rather than for sale or trade. This method is characterized by small-scale production, reliance on traditional techniques, and a focus on local resources. Subsistence agriculture is often practiced in communities where people have a strong connection to their land and where the emphasis is on sustainability and self-sufficiency.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Subsistence agriculture was common among Indigenous communities before colonial contact, with practices that varied based on local climate and resources.
2. This type of agriculture often includes a diverse range of crops and livestock, which helps maintain ecological balance and provides nutritional variety for families.
3. Subsistence farming techniques include the use of hand tools, crop rotation, and planting native species to sustain soil fertility and resist pests.
4. Communities practicing subsistence agriculture typically prioritize food security, ensuring that their families have enough to eat throughout the year.
5. The transition to market-oriented farming brought challenges to subsistence agricultural systems, including loss of traditional practices and dependency on external markets.

Review Questions

• How does subsistence agriculture reflect the cultural values of Indigenous communities?
  • Subsistence agriculture embodies the cultural values of Indigenous communities through its emphasis on sustainability, respect for nature, and community well-being. These farming practices are often tied to traditional ecological knowledge, which informs how crops are grown and harvested in harmony with the environment. Additionally, subsistence agriculture fosters community ties as families work together to cultivate their land, share resources, and pass down agricultural traditions through generations.
• Discuss the environmental implications of subsistence agriculture compared to industrial farming practices.
  • Subsistence agriculture tends to have a lower environmental impact than industrial farming because it focuses on small-scale production using traditional methods that maintain biodiversity and soil health. Unlike industrial agriculture, which often relies on monocultures and synthetic fertilizers, subsistence farming promotes crop rotation and diverse plantings that help sustain ecosystems. This approach reduces reliance on chemical inputs and minimizes soil degradation, thus supporting long-term environmental health in contrast to the short-term productivity focus of industrial methods.
• Evaluate the challenges faced by subsistence agriculture in the context of globalization and market-driven economies.
  • The challenges faced by subsistence agriculture amid globalization include increased competition from large-scale commercial farms and shifting market demands that can undermine traditional practices. As market-driven economies prioritize high-yield crop production, small-scale farmers may struggle to compete, leading to economic pressures that force them to abandon subsistence methods. Additionally, global climate change poses threats to the stability of local ecosystems crucial for subsistence farming, further endangering food sovereignty and cultural practices tied to agricultural traditions.

Related terms

Traditional Ecological Knowledge: A body of knowledge built up by a group of people through generations of living in close contact with the environment, which informs their agricultural practices and resource management.

Crop Rotation: The practice of growing different crops in the same area across a sequence of seasons to improve soil health and reduce pest and weed pressure.

Food Sovereignty: The right of peoples to healthy and culturally appropriate food produced through ecologically sound and sustainable methods, emphasizing local control over food systems.