advantages and disadvantages of commercial agriculture. importance of commercial agriculture. Definition:
commercial agriculture is defined as the type of agriculture which is concerned with the production of food, animals and cash crops in large quantities for sole purpose of sales and export.
characteristics of commercial agriculture
The major characteristics of commercial agriculture are outlines as follows
Sole cropping system of agriculture is usually practiced
Commercial agric involves the cultivation of large hectares of land
Commercial farming involves huge capital investment or money
It involves the use hired labour
Most operations of commercial agriculture involves agricultural mechanization
Commercial farming employs the use of skilled labour
Output is usually very high
Only rich farmers are engaged in commercial agriculture
Improved varieties of crops and animals are used
Irrigation system may be practice where necessary
Because of high capital investment, records of daily activities are kept for the purpose of balancing profit chart
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In commercial agriculture, the use of agro-chemicals such as fertilizers, pesticides and insecticides are often used.
advantages of commercial agriculture
commercial farming has so many advantages which includes the following
Commercial agriculture increases yield: an added advantage of commercial growing of crops owing to the fact that a large area of land is cultivated, couple with the use of fertilizers and chemicals, these increase yield of crops and animals
Specialization of labour: commercial agriculture does lead to specialization of labour because all operation are mechanized
Encouragement of research work: commercial farming encourages research works into marketing and production
Provision of cheap products: as a result of mass production of livestock or crops, the sale prices of these products are usually very low and affordable
Provision of quality products: most products obtained from this type of farming are generally very high in quality
disadvantages of commercial agriculture
The problem or disadvantages usually associated with commercials are as follows
Inadequate supply of improved varieties of crops and animal is a major disadvantage of commercial agriculture, this simply to say, there is an inadequate supply of improved varieties of crops and some breeds of animals
Unfavourable land tenure system: unfavourable land tenure system in some parts of the world does not allow the practice of commercial agriculture.
it simply means that the land tenure system is a problem for commercial farming as it reduces the availability of land to commercial farmers
High capital investment: the high cost of most agricultural machinery makes commercial agriculture very difficult to be engaged in
Inadequate marketing channels: marketing channels for agricultural products are grossly inadequate in most developing countries
Inadequate technical know-how: inadequate technical know-how on the proper maintenance and usage of farm machinery makes commercial agriculture very difficult
High cost of spare parts: spare parts for farm machines such as tractors, harvesters, etc. Are very expensive to purchase
Inadequate processing facilities: processing facilities for agricultural products from farms are grossly inadequate
Inadequate skilled manpower: the skilled manpower needed to operate commercial agriculture is also in short supply or invariably not enough
Inadequate credit facilities: Commercial agriculture cannot strive very well as a result of inadequate credit facility or subsidies available to farmers
Inadequate storage and processing facilities: processing facilities are grossly inadequate in most developing countries of the world
Improved application of farm inputs: inputs such as fertilizers, herbicides and pesticides used for commercial farming could pose health hazards to man and the entire environment if not properly applied
Displacement of scale farmers: the practice of commercial agriculture could to the displacement of subsistence agricultural farmers from their land
Unfavourable government policies: unfavourable government policies directly or indirectly makes the practice of commercial agriculture very difficult in most cases which may result of TAX or direct CREDIT laws
Commercial agriculture can led to soil erosion: the practice of commercial agriculture can lead to soil erosion due to the use of heavy machines.
Conclusion on the importance of commercial agriculture
Commercial or mechanized farming is very important to the development and growth of the economy of any nation as it serves as a means for foreign exchange.
Another importance of commercial agric farming is that it provides employment for the teaming population of any country.
When we talk about commercial agriculture this is the form of Agriculture that provides solid employment for youth
it is also the backbone of any nation that wants to grow its economy in the sense that commercial farming helps to boost the export capacity of any economy
commercial agricultural science involved in plantation farming such as pineapple cocoa rubber tree coconut you can read details of the importance of agriculture here
You can also read my article on subsistence agriculture here.
Other relative relevant links to this post are listed below for more study on the subject of farming.
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the advantages and disadvantages of commercial agriculture are outlined in this article for schools and colleges
Commercial farming, also known as agribusiness or industrial farming, refers to the large-scale production of crops or livestock for profit.
It involves the use of advanced technologies, mechanization, and intensive management practices to maximize output and efficiency.
Commercial farming is prevalent in many countries around the world and plays a significant role in global food production.
Here are some key features and practices associated with commercial farming:
Scale: Commercial farms are typically large in size, covering vast areas of land. They focus on maximizing production and profitability by taking advantage of economies of scale.
Specialization: Commercial farms often specialize in specific types of crops or livestock, concentrating their efforts and resources on a limited range of agricultural products.
This specialization allows for the efficient allocation of resources and expertise.
Mechanization: Modern commercial farming relies heavily on machinery and equipment to streamline operations and increase productivity.
Tractors, combines, irrigation systems and other advanced tools are commonly used to carry out tasks such as planting, harvesting, and irrigation.
Intensive use of inputs: Commercial farms use large amounts of fertilizers, pesticides, and other inputs to optimize crop yields.
These inputs are carefully managed and applied based on scientific knowledge to enhance growth and protect against pests and diseases.
Genetic improvements: Commercial farming often incorporates genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and hybrid varieties to improve crop yields,
increase resistance to pests or diseases, and enhance desirable traits like drought tolerance or nutrient content.
Irrigation: Many commercial farms utilize irrigation systems to provide water to crops, particularly in areas with limited rainfall.
This ensures a consistent water supply and allows for higher yields in regions that would otherwise be unsuitable for farming.
Livestock management: Commercial farming of livestock involves intensive breeding, feeding, and housing practices to maximize meat, milk, or egg production.
Animals may be raised in confined spaces, such as feedlots or poultry houses, and fed specialized diets for rapid growth and efficient conversion of feed into marketable products.
Market-oriented approach: Commercial farmers are driven by market demand and focus on producing crops or livestock that have high market value.
They aim to optimize production and quality to meet consumer preferences and industry requirements.
