The first farmers were able to produce enough food to feed only themselves. They used their own skills and the resources around them in order to produce food for their family. Today, modern agriculture has changed the way we live by making it possible for us to have food from all over the world. In this article, we will learn about the 7 branches of agriculture.
What are the 7 Branches of Agriculture?
The 7 branches of Agriculture are the following:
- Horticulture
- Entomology
- Forestry
- Agronomy
- Nematology
- Agricultural Engineering
- Animal Science
What is Agriculture?
Agriculture is the process of raising, growing, and harvesting crops to produce raw materials for food, feed, fiber, and other products. It is one of the most important economic sectors in the world, contributing more than 10% of the world’s GDP.
Agriculture has been essential to the development of human civilization and societies have traditionally been dependent on it for their food. Food production and cultivation are often said to be at the very heart of human society.
Farmers use various practices such as crop rotation, fertilizing, and irrigation to produce the food and fiber that their communities need. Agriculture has been around for thousands of years and is one of the most important human endeavors.
To make agriculture sustainable, farmers and ranchers use renewable resources like soil, water, and sunlight to grow crops and raise livestock.
Agriculture relies on a combination of science, technology, and natural resources. It is the third-largest economic sector in the world after industry and services.
Agriculture is the most important way in which humans have improved the Earth’s natural environment, producing more food and living space than any other species.
The word agriculture is derived from the Latin “agricultura,” which means “growing crops.” Agriculture has allowed humans to live longer, healthier lives, with a higher standard of living.
Horticulture
Horticulture is the art and science of growing plants. It is a broad term that encompasses the study, production, and use of plants for food, fuel, fiber, and beauty.
There are many horticultural practices that vary according to their environment and the type of plant being grown. For example, gardening and farming are horticultural practices that take place in an open environment.
Horticulture also deals with the production and utilization of horticultural products such as fruits, vegetables, flowers, ornamental plants, cut flowers, turf, garden plants, and others.
Horticulture is also a key component of agriculture which includes the cultivation of plants and animals. Horticulture is a very important field in our society because it helps to provide food and beauty for people to enjoy. Horticulture is also a major commercial industry in most parts of the world.
Entomology
Entomology is the study of insects. They are characterized by the fact that they have three body parts: an outer covering, a middle section, and an inner section.
The outer covering is called the exoskeleton and is made up of a hard shell called the exoskeleton which protects the insect’s soft body. The middle section of the insect is called the thorax and it has six legs that are used for walking, flying, or swimming.
The inner section of the insect is called the abdomen and it contains organs such as the heart, lungs, and digestive system. Entomology also deals with the study of the structure, development, behavior, and classification of insects.
It is a broad term that includes the study of arthropods in general. Entomologists typically use a combination of methods including fieldwork, laboratory studies, and imaginal disc systems to study insects.
Entomology is a very important field of study in agriculture. Knowing what types of insects are attacking your crops can help you know what type of pesticides you need to use, how long they will work, and what time of the year you should use them.
There are two main types of pesticides that are used to control insects, insecticides, and parasiticides. Insecticides kill all insects, while parasiticides only kill the insects that feed on your crops.
Forestry
Forestry is the management of the natural resources of a forest, including its plants, animals, soil, and minerals. Forestry is the science and art of using forests to make products for human use.
Forests are important for the oxygen they produce and for their role in the carbon cycle. Forests are also a habitat for many species of animals and plants.
Forests are managed for timber, fuel, and wildlife habitat, as well as recreation and landscape aesthetics. Forests are also used for carbon sequestration, erosion control, and water quality.
Agronomy
Agronomy is the science and technology of plants and soils. Agronomists study plant growth, crop production, soil fertility, and plant protection.
It is the study of how plants grow, how to maintain soil fertility, and how crops are grown. In other words, it is the science of plants and soil.
Agronomy can be used to help people grow more food, produce more crops, and make their farms more productive. There are many different types of agronomists including plant geneticists, horticultural scientists, and soil scientists.
Nematology
Nematology is the study of nematodes, which are microscopic worms that live in soil and water. Nematodes are plant and animal parasites, which means they feed on plants and animals.
Nematodes can be found in almost every type of environment, including human and animal intestines. Nematologists study the distribution, population, life cycle, and interactions between nematodes and their hosts.
Nematology is usually grouped into three divisions; plant nematology, animal parasitology as well as free-living nematology. This field is an important part of agriculture because it helps farmers produce healthy plants and crops.
Nematologists study nematodes in order to protect plants and crops from harmful nematodes while utilizing these worms since they are very useful to agriculture because they help break down plant material and release nutrients to the soil.
Agricultural Engineering
Agricultural engineering is the application of science and engineering principles to the design, development, and management of agricultural systems.
Agricultural engineers are experts in designing and implementing solutions for the improvement of agricultural production and environmental quality.
Agricultural engineers are also involved in such areas as food processing, food science, animal production, crop production, water management, soil science, and plant science.
Animal Science
Animal Science is the study of animals and their use in agriculture. It is an interdisciplinary field of science that deals with the care, breeding, nutrition, management, and health of animals used in agriculture.
Animal scientists work with farmers to improve the welfare of farm animals, which can include poultry, cattle, pigs, sheep, goats, and horses. Animal scientists are also involved in research on animal disease and food safety.
Conclusion
Agriculture is the production of food, fiber, and other crops and livestock for human consumption. It includes plant and animal breeding, crop and animal management, and the study of production.
We have come a long way since the beginning of agriculture. Agriculture today is a billion-dollar industry, which has made it possible for people to live a more comfortable life. The farmers work hard to produce enough food for everyone to eat.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): What are the 7 Branches of Agriculture?
What is the most important agricultural process?
The most important part of the agricultural process is the soil process. Soil contains the nutrients that plants need to grow, and without good soil, there would be no plants.
What are the 6 types of agriculture?
6 main types of commercial agriculture are the following:
- Livestock ranching.
- Dairy farming
- Commercial gardening and fruit farming.
- Mixed crop and livestock.
- Mediterranean agriculture.
- Grain farming
What is the importance of agriculture?
The importance of agriculture is evident in the economic growth of developed countries. Agriculture also creates jobs and helps maintain a sustainable world.
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.
Kiers, E. T., Leakey, R. R., Izac, A. M., Heinemann, J. A., Rosenthal, E., Nathan, D., & Jiggins, J. (2008). Agriculture at a crossroads. Science, 320(5874), 320-321.
King, A. (2017). Technology: The future of agriculture. Nature, 544(7651), S21-S23.
7 BRANCHES OF AGRICULTURE – Notes Read. Retrieved from https://notesread.com/7-branches-agriculture/
Branches of Agriculture | 7 Agriculture Branches – Paper Tyari. Retrieved from https://www.papertyari.com/general-awareness/agriculture/branches-of-agriculture/
What are the 7 sectors of agriculture ❤️ Updated 2022. Retrieved from https://agrifarmingtips.com/what-are-the-7-sectors-of-agriculture/
