Subsistence Farming

Definition

Subsistence farming is an agricultural practice where farmers grow crops and raise livestock primarily for their own consumption, with little to no surplus for trade or sale. It is a self-sufficient system focused on meeting the basic needs of the farmer and their family, rather than producing goods for a larger market.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Subsistence farming is typically found in developing or underdeveloped regions, where access to technology, infrastructure, and markets is limited.
2. Farmers engaged in subsistence farming often use traditional, labor-intensive methods of cultivation, such as manual tilling and the use of simple tools.
3. Crop diversity is a common feature of subsistence farming, as farmers grow a variety of crops to ensure a balanced diet and mitigate the risk of crop failure.
4. Subsistence farmers generally have a strong connection to the land and their local environment, as they rely on natural resources and weather patterns to sustain their way of life.
5. Subsistence farming is often associated with a lack of economic development and limited participation in the broader market economy.

Review Questions

• Explain how subsistence farming differs from commercial farming in terms of its primary goals and production methods.
  • The primary goal of subsistence farming is to meet the basic needs of the farmer and their family, rather than producing goods for a larger market. Subsistence farmers typically use traditional, labor-intensive methods of cultivation, such as manual tilling and the use of simple tools, in contrast to the mechanized and technology-driven approaches of commercial farming. Additionally, subsistence farmers often grow a diverse array of crops to ensure a balanced diet and mitigate the risk of crop failure, while commercial farmers tend to specialize in a smaller number of high-yield crops for sale.
• Analyze the relationship between subsistence farming and economic development, and discuss the potential challenges and opportunities it presents for developing regions.
  • Subsistence farming is often associated with a lack of economic development, as it is typically found in regions with limited access to technology, infrastructure, and markets. This can present significant challenges for communities engaged in subsistence farming, as they may have difficulty generating surplus income and participating in the broader market economy. However, subsistence farming can also provide opportunities for sustainable development, as it promotes the use of traditional, environmentally-friendly farming practices and a strong connection to the local environment. By supporting the transition from subsistence to more commercially-oriented agriculture, while preserving the benefits of traditional farming methods, developing regions can potentially achieve a balance between economic growth and environmental sustainability.
• Evaluate the role of subsistence farming in the context of the broader economic systems discussed in the chapter on 'How to Organize Economies: An Overview of Economic Systems', and discuss how it might fit within different types of economic systems.
  • Subsistence farming, with its focus on self-sufficiency and limited participation in the market economy, can be viewed as a form of traditional or command-based economic system, where the primary goal is to meet the basic needs of the population rather than maximize profits or economic growth. In this context, subsistence farming may be more compatible with centralized, state-controlled economic systems, where the government plays a role in coordinating and supporting subsistence-based agricultural practices. Conversely, in market-based economic systems, subsistence farming may face greater challenges, as the emphasis is on specialization, efficiency, and participation in the broader market. However, some proponents of sustainable development argue that incorporating elements of subsistence farming, such as crop diversity and environmentally-friendly practices, can contribute to the development of more balanced and resilient economic systems, even in market-based economies.

Related terms

Subsistence Economy: An economic system where production and consumption are primarily for self-sufficiency, with little to no participation in the broader market economy.

Shifting Cultivation: A type of subsistence farming where land is cleared for cultivation and then abandoned after a few years, allowing the soil to regain fertility through natural processes.

Pastoral Nomadism: A subsistence strategy where people move from place to place with their herds of domesticated animals, such as sheep, goats, or cattle, in search of food and water.