Welcome to class!
In today’s class, we will be talking about the types of agriculture: subsistence and commercial agriculture. Enjoy the class!

Types of Agriculture: Subsistence and Commercial Agriculture

CONTENT:
Subsistence Agriculture
Commercial Agriculture

Subsistence Agriculture

Subsistence agriculture is defined as the type of agriculture that is concerned with the production of food (cultivation of crops and rearing of animals) by the farmer to feed himself and his family only. It is also known as peasant farming because it is practised by poor farmers. It is done on a small scale and involves the use of crude tools (e.g. cutlass, hoe, axe, etc.) only.

Commercial Agriculture

Commercial agriculture is the type of agriculture which is concerned with the production of food and cash crops in large quantities for sale. It is done on a large scale because commercial farmers are rich farmers. Complex farm machines like
tractors, bulldozers, planters, harvesters, etc. are used.

Evaluation

1. Define the two types of agriculture.
2. Who is a peasant farmer?
3. State ten examples of simple farm tools used by subsistence farmers.
4. State ten examples of complex farm machines used by commercial farmers.

Characteristics/differences between subsistence agriculture and commercial agriculture

Subsistence agriculture 

1. Produce mainly for the family with little or no excess. Products are principally for sale
2. Practised on a small area of land. Practised on a large area of land.
3. Family labour is used Skilled and mechanized labour is employed
4. Traditional management is employed. Modern or scientific management is employed.
5. Production is on a small scale Production is on large scale
6. Cost of production is low. Cost of production is high.
7. Does not need an organized market for the sales of its products. Need a well-organized market for sales of its
products.
8. Operation results in low environmental degradation. Operation results in high environmental
degradation.
9. Provide direct employment for many citizens. Skilled labour employed for different tasks.
10. Engages in mixed-cropping. Often engages in mono-cropping.
11. No specialization, since the farmer produces different types of crops and rears different classes of farm animals.
12. Has no access to credit facilities. 

Commercial Agriculture

1. Products are principally for sale

2. Practiced on a large area of land

3. Skilled and mechanized labour is employed

4. Modern or scientific management is employed

5. The cost of production is high

6. A well-organized market is required for the sales of the product

7. The operation results in high degradation of the environment

8. Skilled labour employed for different tasks

9. Often engage in monocropping

10. Has to access credit facilities.

General evaluation

1. What is agriculture?
2. List and explain five important of agriculture
3. Mention five agro-based industries and their raw materials.
4. Define subsistence and commercial agriculture.
5. State five characteristics of each of subsistence and commercial agriculture.

 
Theory

1. List out five agro-based industries and their raw materials.
2. State five characteristics for each of (a) subsistence agriculture (b) commercial agriculture

In our next class, we will be talking about the Problems of Agricultural Development in Nigeria and their Possible Solutions. See you in next class.

.
Should you have any further questions, feel free to ask in the comment section below, and trust us to respond as soon as possible