Resource Provision » Farming Types and Systems

What you'll learn this session

Study time: 30 minutes

Different types of farming systems around the world
Characteristics of subsistence and commercial farming
Intensive vs extensive agricultural methods
Arable, pastoral and mixed farming systems
Case studies of farming in different regions
Factors affecting farming types and distribution
Modern farming technologies and sustainable practices

Introduction to Farming Types and Systems

Farming is one of humanity's oldest and most important activities. Around the world, farmers use different methods and systems to grow crops and raise animals based on their environment, available resources and economic needs. Understanding these different farming types helps us see how food production varies globally.

Key Definitions:

Agriculture: The practice of cultivating plants and rearing animals to produce food, fibre and other products.
Farming System: The organisation of farming that includes what is produced, how it's produced and why it's produced in a particular way.
Yield: The amount of crops produced per unit of land.

Major Farming Classifications

Farming systems can be classified in several ways. The main distinctions are between subsistence and commercial farming and between intensive and extensive methods.

🌾 Subsistence Farming

Farming where crops and livestock are produced mainly to feed the farmer's family, with little or no surplus for sale. Common in developing countries, especially in parts of Africa and Asia.

Key features:

Small farm size (often less than 2 hectares)
Simple tools and techniques
Family labour
Low inputs (fertilisers, pesticides)
Low yields
Limited technology

💰 Commercial Farming

Farming where crops and livestock are produced primarily for sale. Common in developed countries and increasingly in developing nations.

Key features:

Larger farm size
Modern machinery
Hired labour
High inputs
High yields
Market-oriented production

Intensive vs Extensive Farming

Another important classification is based on how intensively the land is used:

🌶 Intensive Farming

Uses a lot of labour, capital and inputs on relatively small areas of land to maximise yield.

Examples:

Market gardening in southeast England
Rice farming in Southeast Asia
Factory farming of livestock

🐒 Extensive Farming

Uses less labour, capital and inputs over larger areas of land, with lower yields per hectare.

Examples:

Sheep farming in the Scottish Highlands
Cattle ranching in Australia
Wheat farming in Canada

Types of Farming Systems

Farming systems can be further classified based on what is produced:

🌽 Arable Farming

Growing crops like wheat, rice, maize and vegetables. Common in fertile lowlands with good soil and adequate rainfall.

🐄 Pastoral Farming

Raising livestock such as cattle, sheep, goats and pigs. Often found in areas less suitable for crops, like uplands or drier regions.

🍎 Mixed Farming

Combining crop growing and livestock raising on the same farm. Common in temperate regions like the UK and parts of Europe.

Specific Farming Systems Around the World

Shifting Cultivation

A traditional subsistence farming system practised in tropical regions, especially in parts of Africa, Southeast Asia and South America.

Key characteristics:

Forest is cleared and burned (slash and burn)
Crops grown for 2-3 years until soil fertility declines
Land is abandoned to regrow (fallow period)
Farmers move to a new plot of forest
Return to original plot after 10-20 years when fertility has recovered

Plantation Agriculture

A commercial farming system found in tropical and subtropical regions, growing cash crops for export.

Key characteristics:

Large estates (often over 1,000 hectares)
Single cash crop (monoculture) like tea, coffee, rubber, or bananas
Often owned by multinational companies
Labour-intensive with many workers
High use of technology and inputs
Export-oriented production

Case Study Focus: Rice Farming in Southeast Asia

Rice farming in countries like Vietnam, Thailand and Indonesia represents one of the world's most intensive farming systems:

Small plots (often less than 1 hectare) intensively farmed
Labour-intensive with much work done by hand
Terraced fields in hilly areas to manage water
Irrigation systems carefully maintained
Multiple crops per year in some areas (double or triple cropping)
Often integrated with fish farming in paddies
Vital for food security - rice provides over 20% of global calorie intake

In Vietnam's Mekong Delta, farmers have adapted to climate change by alternating rice with shrimp farming during the dry season when saltwater intrusion occurs.

Factors Affecting Farming Types and Distribution

Several factors influence what type of farming occurs in different regions:

🌞 Physical Factors

Climate (temperature, rainfall)
Soil quality and type
Relief (slope, altitude)
Water availability

🏢 Human Factors

Level of economic development
Population density
Technology available
Transport infrastructure

📈 Economic Factors

Market access
Government policies
Land ownership patterns
Capital availability

Modern Farming Developments

Farming continues to evolve with new technologies and approaches:

💾 Precision Farming

Uses GPS, sensors, drones and computer systems to optimise field-level management. Allows farmers to apply exact amounts of inputs (water, fertiliser, pesticides) where and when needed, reducing waste and environmental impact while maximising yields.

🌿 Sustainable Farming

Practices that maintain soil health, minimise water use, reduce pollution and promote biodiversity. Examples include organic farming, agroforestry (combining trees with crops) and conservation agriculture (minimal soil disturbance, permanent soil cover, crop rotation).

Case Study Focus: Commercial Farming in East Anglia, UK

East Anglia is one of the UK's most productive agricultural regions:

Large, flat fields ideal for mechanisation
Fertile soils from ancient glacial deposits
Relatively dry climate (for the UK) with long summer days
Highly mechanised arable farming
Main crops include wheat, barley, sugar beet and vegetables
High levels of technology - GPS-guided tractors, yield mapping, drone surveys
Intensive use of fertilisers and pesticides
Increasing adoption of precision farming techniques
Growing concerns about soil degradation and water management

Farmers in this region face challenges including climate change, Brexit-related policy changes and pressure to adopt more sustainable practices.

Challenges and Future of Farming Systems

Global farming systems face several challenges:

Climate change: Changing rainfall patterns, extreme weather events and rising temperatures
Population growth: Need to increase food production by 60% by 2050
Environmental concerns: Soil degradation, water pollution, biodiversity loss
Resource constraints: Limited land, water and energy
Economic pressures: Price volatility, rising input costs, competition

The future of farming will likely involve a mix of approaches:

More sustainable practices to protect natural resources
Increased use of technology to improve efficiency
Development of climate-resilient crop varieties
Better integration of traditional knowledge with modern science
More equitable food systems that support both small and large farmers

Understanding different farming systems helps us appreciate the complexity of global food production and the challenges of feeding a growing population sustainably.

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