What are the 10 Branches of Agriculture?

Agriculture is vital to the health of the global ecosystem. It provides livelihoods for around three billion people and contributes to the economy in both developing and developed countries. Agriculture is not limited to farming, it also includes different branches. Keep reading to find out about the 10 branches of Agriculture.

What are the 10 Branches of Agriculture?

The 10 Branches of Agriculture are the following:

• Agronomy
• Agriculture Biotechnology
• Agricultural Chemistry
• Agricultural Economics
• Agriculture Engineering
• Agricultural Microbiology
• Entomology
• Forestry
• Horticulture
• Soil Science

What is Agriculture?

Agriculture is the process of growing food. It is the cultivation of plants, animals, fungi, and other life forms to produce food for people, animal feed, and biofuel. 

Agriculture has been around for thousands of years and is still a very important part of our everyday lives. The first agriculture was thought to have started in Mesopotamia when the fertile crescent was settled by the first farmers.

Agriculture has been an important part of human history for thousands of years. From the domestication of plants and animals to the cultivation of crops, humans have relied on agriculture for survival. 

This is because it allows us to grow our own food, and allows us to provide for our families and tribes. Agriculture has helped improve our lives in so many ways, from how we are able to live in cities, to how we are able to feed the world.

History of Agriculture

The history of agriculture is very interesting because it tells us about the beginning of one of the most important human civilizations. It started with our ancestors in the hunter-gatherer days who would gather fruits and vegetables from the land and hunt for wild animals to eat. 

They then began to domesticate plants and animals which led to the development of farming. The first farmers planted crops in fertile fields, which meant they had to clear the land and plow it. 

In some parts of the world, these early farmers began to use irrigation systems to water their crops. This process led to a more stable food supply which allowed people to settle down in one place instead of roaming the land in search of food.

Innovations in Agriculture

Agriculture has been around for thousands of years and has seen many changes in the last few decades. From the discovery of the plow to the invention of tractors, agriculture has been constantly evolving. In the past, animals were used to help with agriculture. 

However, in the 1900s, tractors were invented. The invention of tractors was a huge advancement in agriculture because it allowed farmers to harvest their crops much faster and more efficiently. 

The invention of tractors also allowed farmers to have more land available for growing crops and more innovations. From genetically modified crops to the invention of new farming techniques, agriculture is constantly changing. 

In recent years, there have been some incredible inventions that have impacted the future of agriculture. One of these inventions is called vertical farming which is a method of growing crops in large towers or skyscrapers that are stacked on top of each other. 

This system allows for the production of a large amount of food in one location which can greatly reduce transportation costs and environmental damage.

Branches of Agriculture and their Definitions

Agronomy

Agronomy is the study of plants and how they grow. It is the science of understanding how plants take in water, nutrients, and energy from the soil, and use that to grow. 

Agronomists are experts in plant growth and development, including seed selection, plant propagation, crop management, pest control, and disease prevention.

Agriculture Biotechnology

Agriculture Biotechnology is the application of modern biotechnology to agriculture. It includes the use of genetically modified organisms, or GMOs, and genetic engineering to help grow crops. 

The idea behind this type of technology is to increase crop yields and reduce costs by making plants resistant to disease, drought, and insects. The goal of Agriculture Biotechnology is to increase food production while also reducing the environmental impact of agriculture.

Agricultural Chemistry

Agricultural Chemistry is the study of the chemical processes involved in the production of food and feed, including the production of vitamins, proteins, enzymes, carbohydrates, lipids, and other substances that are essential for human health. 

Agricultural Chemists study these substances to determine how they are produced and how they can be used to improve the quality of food and feed.

Agricultural Economics

The field of agricultural economics is concerned with the production, distribution, and consumption of agricultural goods and services. It deals with the application of economic theory to the production and consumption of food, fiber, and other agricultural goods. 

It is a branch of economics that is concerned with the efficient use of resources in a changing environment.

Agriculture Engineering

Agriculture engineering is a field that is concerned with the research, development, and application of technology to improve agricultural production and the quality of life for people. 

This field can be applied to any type of farming, but it is most often applied to crop production. Agriculture engineers are involved in all aspects of production, including crop selection, planting, irrigation, harvesting, and processing. 

They also work with farmers to develop crop-specific technologies that can increase the yield and quality of the final product.

Agricultural Microbiology

Agricultural microbiology is the study of microscopic organisms that live in and on plants, animals, and soil. These organisms are important for a variety of reasons. 

For example, they break down and process organic matter, which is then used by the plant or animal for nutrition. These organisms also help protect the plants from disease, and they can even help control pests.

Entomology

Entomology is the study of insects. It is also the branch of agriculture that studies insects. This field of study is important because insects are vital to the ecosystem. 

They help in pollination, which is important for agriculture. There are many other benefits to insects as well, including pest control and habitat restoration. Insects are also used in research and medicine.

Forestry

Forestry is the science and management of growing, harvesting, and managing forests. It is practiced by both the public and private sectors and encompasses a range of activities, from the sustainable management of existing forests to the planting of new forests. 

Forestry is practiced in plantations, natural forests, and urban areas. Forests are managed to provide food, fiber, fuelwood, timber, resin, medicinal plants, recreation, and more.

Horticulture

Horticulture is the practice of growing plants, flowers, and vegetables. The word “horticulture” comes from the Latin “Hortus,” meaning garden. Horticulture can be broken down into two categories: landscape horticulture and vegetable horticulture. 

Landscape horticulture is the practice of designing and maintaining a garden for the beauty of its aesthetic appearance and for the use of plants as ornamental plants. Vegetable horticulture, on the other hand, is the practice of growing food crops, such as fruits, vegetables, and herbs.

Soil Science

Soil science is the study of the properties, structure, chemistry, and physical properties of soils. There are many different types of soil, which can be classified by their texture, and the types of minerals present in them. Soil science also deals with how soil is formed and how it responds to various factors such as climate, topography, and vegetation.

Conclusion

Agriculture is the practice of cultivating, growing, and harvesting food crops, raising farm animals, rearing livestock, and extracting natural resources such as wood or water. It includes Agronomy, Agriculture Biotechnology, Agricultural Chemistry, Agricultural Economics, Agriculture Engineering, Agricultural Microbiology, Entomology, Forestry, Horticulture, and Soil Science. Agriculture is practiced by all societies in all parts of the world.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): what are the 10 branches of agriculture?

What is the top agricultural country?

China is the world’s top agricultural producing country, producing more than 10% of the world’s food. The country is also the second-largest agricultural producer in the world, accounting for over 17% of the global food supply. 

What are the 10 crops?

The top 10 crops are rice, wheat, corn, soybeans, sugarcane, potatoes, cassava, wheat, barley, and sorghum.

What are Agriculture products?

Agriculture products are goods and services produced by farmers for the purpose of feeding people, providing raw materials for manufacturing, or supporting the production of other goods. The term includes livestock, dairy products, fruits, vegetables, grains, and seeds.

Reference

Flannery, K. V. (1973). The origins of agriculture. Annual review of Anthropology, 271-310.

Steiner, R., & Creeger, C. E. (1993). Agriculture. SteinerBooks.

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