As the world’s population continues to grow, so does the demand for food. Agriculture is the science and art of cultivating plants and animals for human use. It is a vital part of our society, providing us with food, fiber, fuel, and many other products we use on a daily basis. This article answers the question “what are the 6 branches of agriculture?”
What are the 6 branches of agriculture?
The 6 branches of agriculture are the following:
- Arable Farming
- Livestock Farming
- Horticulture
- Dairy Farming
- Forestry
- Fishing
Each branch has its own unique set of skills and knowledge that helps contribute to the overall goal of producing food and other products for humans to use.
What is Arable Farming?
Arable farming is the branch of agriculture that deals with growing crops. This includes preparing the soil, planting seeds or seedlings, caring for the crop as it grows, harvesting the crop when it is ready, and storing or marketing the crop.
Arable farmers grow crops like wheat and barley. These farmers must be able to effectively manage soil fertility levels and weeds. They also need to have a good understanding of crop rotations to maximize yields.
Arable farming is a vital part of the global food system and plays an important role in food security. It is characterized by the use of mechanized equipment, chemical fertilizers, and pesticides.
With a growing global population and the effects of climate change becoming more apparent, there is an increasing need for sustainable and efficient agricultural practices. Arable farming plays a critical role in meeting this demand.
Arable farmers work tirelessly to ensure that their crops are of the highest quality possible. They use the latest technology and advances in agricultural practices to produce food that is both safe and nutritious.
In addition, arable farmers are constantly innovating and seeking new ways to increase yields and improve efficiency. In the 21st century, farmers are utilizing cutting-edge technology and innovative approaches to increase yields and decrease environmental impact.
Some of the latest trends and technologies in 21st-century arable farming include precision agriculture (all about using technology to improve yields and decrease inputs) no-till farming (a type of conservation tillage that helps reduce soil erosion), GPS mapping of fields, yield monitors, and soil sensors as well as cover crops, vertical farming, and aquaponics.
What is Livestock Farming?
Livestock farming is a system of managing and breeding domestic, livestock or farm animals for the purpose of obtaining their meat, milk, and other important commodities for human consumption.
Livestock farming is an agricultural process that involves raising animals for food, fiber, or other products. The first and most important thing to consider when starting a livestock farm is choosing the right location.
The climate and terrain of the chosen site will determine what types of animals can be raised there and how they will be managed. There are many factors to consider when choosing a location for a livestock farm, but if done correctly, it can lead to a successful and profitable operation.
The most common types of animals raised are cows, pigs, chickens, and goats. There are many factors to consider when deciding what type of animals you want to raise.
Some people choose based on the amount of land they have available, while others decide based on which animal they prefer the taste of meat from. Cattle ranching requires a large amount of pastureland and can be expensive to get started in.
Livestock farming also involves selecting the right animals for the climate and terrain, providing them with food and water, and keeping them healthy. Proper fencing, shelters, and other infrastructure are essential to successful livestock farming.
What is Horticulture?
Horticulture is the art and science of growing plants. It includes the cultivation of fruits, vegetables, flowers, and ornamental plants. The word horticulture is derived from the Latin words hortalus, meaning “garden,” and cultus, meaning “cultivation. “
This type of gardening involves more than simply planting a few seeds in the ground and watering them; it is about knowing which plants will thrive in what conditions, how to care for them properly, and when to harvest them.
Horticulturists are responsible for the care and management of gardens and landscapes. They may work in private residences, public parks, zoos, or botanical gardens.
They use their knowledge of plant science to grow healthy, beautiful plants that can be used for food, medicine, decoration, or simply to enjoy nature.
There are many different aspects to horticulture, such as planting, watering, fertilizing, and pest control. It is important to have knowledge about all of these things in order to be successful.
Knowing which plants will thrive in what conditions, how to care for them properly, and when to harvest them are all important aspects of horticulture.
What is Dairy Farming?
Dairy farming is the branch of agriculture that practices the raising of mother animals such as cows, buffalo, donkeys, goats, and other livestock for the long-term production of milk for human consumption.
There are a lot of myths and misconceptions about dairy farming. Some people believe that cows are treated poorly on dairy farms when in reality, they are some of the most cared-for animals on the farm.
Dairy farmers have a vested interest in keeping their cows healthy and happy. That’s because healthy, happy cows produce more milk—and that means more money for the farmer.
What is forestry?
The forestry industry has long been associated with sustainable management and environmental protection, but the meaning of forestry has become more complex in recent years.
Forestry today encompasses a wide range of activities, including ecosystem management, conservation biology, landscape architecture, recreation management, and urban planning.
These activities are important for sustainable development and the stewardship of our natural resources.
The forest industry is an important part of the economy, generating billions of dollars in revenue and employing hundreds of thousands of people across the country.
What is Fishery?
An activity known as fishing is an organized effort, recreation, occupation, commercial, and industry by humans to catch fish or also called the season of taking fish and other aquatic species.
Fishery or fishing has been around for thousands of years and its primary purpose for humans is for survival but now it has evolved as well for the purpose of sports, entertainment, and other commodities.
Fish is one of the most important food supplies and diets for humans. There are more than 28,000 different fish species in estimation existing worldwide.
China is considered the biggest fishing industry in the world followed closely by Japan, the US, Peru, Chile, India, Russia, Thailand, Iceland, and Norway.
The different types of fishing are the following:
- Deep-Sea Fishing
- Saltwater Fishing
- Freshwater Fishing
- Catch and Release Fishing
- Bow Fishing
- Specie Specific Fishing
Conclusion
Agriculture is the inclusion of diverting nature’s normal food assets from the sun giving light to plants to plants giving food to plant-eating animals or herbivores and the herbivores giving food to meat-eating animals or carnivores. Decomposers or microbes, separate plants or creatures that have passed on. Supplements from the plants and creatures return into the dirt and the entire cycle begins once again. Agriculture purposes this multitude of realities to ensure that there is sufficient inventory of nourishment for people.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): what are the 6 branches of agriculture?
Who is known father of agriculture?
An American agricultural scientist and humanitarian, Norman Ernest Borlaug (25 March 1914 – 12 September 2009) is considered to be the “father of modern agriculture”.
What are the other branches of agriculture?
Other branches of agriculture include but are not limited to:
- Animal husbandry
- Agricultural Engineering
- Home Science
- Plant Breeding
- Agriculture Genetics
- Hydroponics
What is the study of agriculture called?
The science and technology of using and producing plants by agriculture for fuel, fiber, chemicals, recreation, food, or land conservation is called Agronomy
Reference
Lichtenberg, E. (2002). Agriculture and the environment. Handbook of agricultural economics, 2, 1249-1313.
Flannery, K. V. (1973). The origins of agriculture. Annual review of Anthropology, 271-310.
Branches of agriculture – 2022. Retrieved from https://stoplearn.com/branches-of-agriculture/
Branches of Agriculture | 7 Agriculture Branches – Paper Tyari. Retrieved from https://www.papertyari.com/general-awareness/agriculture/branches-of-agriculture/
What are the branches of chemistry and their definition? | Socratic. Retrieved from https://socratic.org/questions/what-are-the-branches-of-chemistry-and-their-definition
