Types of Agriculture (Cambridge International IGCSE Environmental Management)

What are the different types of agriculture?

• Agriculture refers to the practice of growing crops or raising animals for food and other products

• Farming methods vary depending on climate, land, technology and the farmer’s purpose

• The main types of agriculture include:

  • Arable, pastoral, or mixed farming
  • Subsistence or commercial farming
  • Intensive farming
  • Monoculture farming

Arable, pastoral and mixed farming

Arable farming

• Involves growing crops such as cereals, vegetables or fruits
• Common in areas with fertile soils, gentle slopes and good rainfall

Pastoral farming

• Involves rearing animals such as cattle, sheep or goats
• Often used where growing crops is difficult, such as mountains or dry regions

Mixed farming

• Combines crop growing and animal rearing on the same farm
• Allows natural recycling of nutrients, such as using manure to fertilise fields

Subsistence and commercial farming

Subsistence farming

• Farmers grow crops or rear livestock mainly to feed themselves and their families

• Uses simple tools, small plots of land and low inputs

  • This means low levels of labour, machines, technology or money

• Any surplus is small and usually sold locally

Commercial farming

• Farmers grow crops or rear livestock mainly for sale and profit

• Uses large areas of land, machinery and high levels of inputs

  • This means large amounts of labour, machines, technology or money

• Aims for high yields to supply national or international markets

Intensive farming

• Intensive farming involves producing as much food as possible on a particular area of land
• Uses high inputs of labour, capital, or both
• Often includes fertilisers, pesticides, irrigation and machinery
• Increases yield per hectare to maximise profit

Monoculture farming

• Monoculture means growing a single crop species over a large area
• Makes planting and harvesting easier and more efficient
• Allows farmers to specialise in one crop
• However, monoculture increases the risk of pest outbreaks and disease, as all plants are genetically similar

Exam Hint Remember, farms often fit into more than one of these categories. For example, many commercial arable farms use intensive monoculture practices.

What is sustainable food production?

Definition of sustainable food production

• Sustainable food production means:

  • Producing enough food for the present generation, using methods that ensure future generations can grow enough food from the same land
  • Protecting soil, water, biodiversity and natural resources so they remain healthy and productive over time
  • Balancing food supply, environmental protection and long-term farm productivity

What sustainable food production involves

• Maintaining healthy soils

  • Using crop rotation to prevent nutrient loss
  • Adding organic matter (compost or manure) to support soil structure

• Reducing chemical use

  • Using fewer pesticides to protect wildlife and soil organisms
  • Applying fertilisers carefully to avoid water pollution

• Conserving water

  • Using efficient irrigation systems such as drip irrigation
  • Collecting rainwater for farm use

• Protecting biodiversity

  • Maintaining hedgerows, trees and natural habitats around fields
  • Encouraging pollinators such as bees

• Using energy wisely

  • Choosing energy-efficient machinery
  • Reducing reliance on fossil fuels where possible

• Reducing waste

  • Preventing food loss during growing, harvesting and storage
  • Recycling farm materials where possible

• Choosing suitable crops for local conditions

  • Growing crops that match the local climate, soil and water availability
  • Reducing need for irrigation, chemicals and energy

• Supporting farmers and communities

  • Ensuring farming methods are affordable and help build long-term livelihoods

Exam Hint Students often forget to mention future generations in their definition of all sustainable food production. Examiners look for this in your answers, as it shows you understand that sustainability is about long-term protection of land, not just producing food today.