Question

Name the factors influencing agriculture.

Answer 1

Hint:Agriculture is an economic activity that is focussed on growing plants and rearing livestock. Agriculture has played an important role in the evolution and civilization of human beings. Humans began to lead sedentary lives, leaving behind their nomadic lifestyle, because of the development of agriculture. However, geographical as well as human factors are not the same everywhere and thus we find different types of agriculture in different regions of the world.

Complete Answer:
Agriculture is influenced by both human and geographical factors. Some geographical factors that influence agriculture are
1)Soil : For agriculture to develop, the soil needs to have depth as well as nutrients. Texture of soil is important as it determines if the soil can hold water or not. Sandy soil is not fit for agriculture as it does not retain water. On the other hand, loam soils are good for agriculture. Agriculture develops in fertile land that is rich in organic matter.

2)Climate : Sunshine, humidity and rainfall are important factors that influence agriculture. Agriculture doesn’t develop in extreme climates. It is difficult to grow crops in areas that have temperatures beyond 45 degree celsius or below 1 degree celsius.

3)Topography : Relief of the land and terrain influence agriculture as they determine level of soil erosion, ease in tilling and mechanization of farms. Farms mostly develop in plains and valleys as the level of soil erosion is less. On the mountain, the hill has to be cut into terraces to practice farming. This makes tilling of the land as well as use of machinery difficult.

4)Human factors : Agriculture is also influenced by human factors like market, labour and political aid. If there is availability of cheap labour, then labour intensive crops are grown. Places near markets grow perishable goods. Government aid in agriculture is an important factor too. In the 1960's the government aided Green Revolution in India changed the agricultural scene of states like Punjab and Haryana.

Note:A huge part of the world is still dependent on agriculture as the primary source of income. Around 60% of Indian population still depend on agriculture. However the matter of concern is that despite a huge number of people working in this industry, the contribution of agriculture to our GDP is just 18%.