Agriculture is one of the most important industries in the world. Aside from producing nutritious food, farms are sources of other products we use and consume daily. Farming also provides places to go for leisure or entertainment.
The structure of the agricultural world has really shifted in the past century. These days, it has become more popular to found a farm business even if you were not born into a farming family.
Here, we are going to discuss how to start a successful farm. We will also cover some important information regarding types of farms, how much farmers make, and more.
Agriculture is increasingly called upon to address a wide range of critical needs: nutritious food for 9 billion people by 2050, higher and more resilient incomes, and environmental services. If we want to feed a rapidly growing world population, global productivity needs to increase.
There are more than 570 million farms in the world. More than 90% of the farms are managed by an individual or a family and rely primarily on family labor. Family farms occupy a large share of the world’s agricultural land and produce about 80% of the world’s food.
Why agricultural farming is important today?
Civilization began with agriculture, and though humanity has changed significantly, agriculture still remains very important. In certain countries, its significance is more obvious, but the reality is that every country in the world depends on agriculture for one thing or another.
It’s the main source of raw materials
Many raw materials, whether it’s cotton, sugar, wood, or palm oil, come from agriculture. These materials are essential to major industries in ways many people aren’t even aware of, such as the manufacturing of pharmaceuticals, diesel fuel, plastic, and more. In fact, raw materials are so important in production that the economic health of a country strongly depends on how many raw materials it possesses.
It’s important to international trade
Raw materials from agriculture make up a huge portion of what’s traded internationally. Countries with plenty of those supplies export them and trade for materials they don’t have. If a country’s agriculture suffers for some reason, prices can go up and it disrupts the flow of trade. Currently, the EU is the first trader of agricultural products in the world, both for imports and exports.
It plays a big role in a nation’s revenue
Speaking of trade, developing countries still get most of their national income from agricultural exports. While developed countries don’t depend on agriculture as much as they used to, their economies would definitely take a hit if all exports suddenly stopped.
Where should farmers establish a farm?
Where you start your small farm will depend on what you want to produce. When it comes to plants, where you live will play a major role in the types of crops you can grow on a small farm. Some fruits and vegetables are suited for temperate climates while others are suited for hot and dry climates.
If you’re raising animals, it is a bit easier to choose a location since the most popular livestock—like chickens, cows, and pigs—can grow in a wide variety of climates. However, you’ll still want to research the ideal climate for each type of animal for your farm business.
Things to consider:
- Soil management; to have fertile soil and a good crop yield, it is necessary to use adequate soil conservation techniques such as timely and proper tillage, crop rotation, and regular monitoring of soil pH.
- Water management; sufficient water amount during the growth stages in which water is the most crucial to achieving planned yield.
- Cropping system management; agroforestry system integrates, on the same farmland, crops, and trees together for farming, producing fruit and raising livestock.
- Fertilization; regular addition of manure and other biological fertilizers to enhance soil matter; adding of plant nutrients (N, P, K, and micronutrients) according to crop needs and phenophases.
- Planting/sowing; the sowing of certified seeds, resistant varieties, and proper planting time and care.
Key takeaway
Economic development is tied to a country’s agriculture sector. When trade, national revenue, and employment are combined in a positive way, a country enjoys reduced poverty and boosted economic growth. Because strong agriculture results in benefits fairly quickly, focusing on it is one of the best ways to speed up development and improve a country’s standing in the world.