Types of Agriculture (Cambridge (CIE) IGCSE Environmental Management): Revision Note

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

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