Discover on the 7M Boots website what extensive agriculture is and its main characteristics
At first, agriculture is the art of cultivating the land. In ancient times, this practice aimed to produce food to ensure the nourishment and, consequently, the survival of humans and animals. Today, the focus of the activity remains the same. However, beyond the issue of food supply, agriculture also works for industries and provides the raw materials necessary for the production of various products. The way production is carried out varies according to location, demand, and integrated resources. For example, when there is a large quantity of inputs used, which require the adoption of technologies and customized systems to increase productivity, we have Intensive Agriculture – a farming method that requires financial investment. However, no matter how profitable it may be, it cannot be applied in all situations. On the contrary, when there is some limitation or absence of investments, we have the opposite, which, in this case, is Extensive Agriculture.
Undoubtedly, extensive agriculture is a modality marked by the use of rudimentary or traditional techniques. Generally, the practice uses few or no technological tools and is characterized by the absence of financial resources. Additionally, contrary to what many people think, extensive agriculture is not limited to small properties and can also be conducted on large farms, usually in developing countries. Below are its main characteristics:
The rudimentary labor involves all stages of production. Typically, it has low qualification, and almost all stages are manual. In this agricultural system, the most modern techniques are not applied, precisely due to the scarcity of financial resources. Therefore, farmers do not have access to market innovations.
The preparation of the soil is carried out in a completely traditional way, without the use of correctors or fertilizers. In many situations, the soil is decompacted using animal-drawn plows, and the conditions of the land are decisive for the quality and quantity of the production.
In this modality, seed selection is not employed. Due to the high cost of selected or transgenic seeds, it is common for the farmer to reserve part of the previous production (such as grains like corn, soybeans, and beans) to be used as seed in the next plantings.
The destination of the extensive agricultural production generally involves the entire market. Competitiveness is compromised, both in the domestic and external markets, as the productivity and quality of the produced goods are much lower compared to modern agriculture.
Finally, it is important to highlight that farmers working in this modality are at the mercy of natural conditions. This is because factors such as climatic variations, high humidity levels, or scarcity can compromise plantings. Furthermore, the quality of the soil, as well as the presence of pests, can also negatively impact extensive agriculture. In short, did you enjoy learning more about extensive agriculture? Then tell us in the comments and keep an eye on the site of 7M Boots. We will have many new things coming soon. A big hug!
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