Meaning of Subsistence Agriculture
Subsistence agriculture is defined as the type of agriculture which involves the production of crops and animals by a farmer to feed himself and his family. He produces food for the consumption of the family with little or nothing left for sale.
Characteristics of Subsistence Agriculture
- It requires small capital/finance.
- Mixed cropping is mostly practiced.
- There is limited used of agro-chemicals e.g. pesticides and fertilizers.
- Unimproved varieties of crops and breeds of animals are used.
- There is little or no surplus for sale.
- It involves the use of crude/traditional tools such as hoes, machetes/cutlasses.
You are viewing an excerpt of this lesson. Subscribing to the subject will give you access to the following:
- The complete lesson note and evaluation questions for this topic
- The complete lessons for the subject and class (First Term, Second Term & Third Term)
- Media-rich, interactive and gamified content
- End-of-lesson objective questions with detailed explanations to force mastery of content
- Simulated termly preparatory exams
- Discussion boards on all lessons and subjects
- Guaranteed learning
- Win great prizes for topping the Primacy Ebooks