Different Types of Farming Systems

Introduction: Farming systems around the world:

Specified land, area or structure which is being used for growing crops, rearing livestock and agricultural products is called farming.

Around the world there are several factors that are independent, inter-related to each other or have direct effect on different types of farming systems.

Farming systems around the world are as diverse as the climates and cultures where they are found. They range from small, subsistence farms to large commercial operations. Some farmers use traditional methods, while others have adopted modern techniques.

Whatever the system, all farmers face the same basic challenge: to produce enough food to feed themselves and their families.

Principles of farming:

There are different principles that interlinked with farming. In farming, having ecological balance is one of the important things. It is your responsibility that you do not affect the indigenous creatures of that place.

During this system you must have different enterprises involved. This will increase the revenue as well as the market demand of needed commodities.

Your aim should be to achieve maximum profit and yield from the farming system. This will not only motivate you financially but also others to apply these effective farming systems.

Wastages of resources can affect your yield and productivity. Recycling resources is a very good initiative for the best farming system.

Do not take too many risks. Going to a certain point to have the best farming system is highly recommended but going beyond your capacity can be very risky.

 

Factors involved in the farming system:

There are many factors that can be involved in the farming system.

• Farm capacity
• Soil type
• Topography
• Income
• Yield
• Availability of market
• Demand
• Labor
• Preferences

Types of farming system:

Farming system has many types. Each farming system has its own credibility to be successive or failure.

Traditional farming system:

Traditional farming systems are the basic way of farming that has been used for a long time. It is simple and easy to use. The main advantage is it can increase yield with lesser investment in terms of money and labor. It causes less harm to the environment.

Specialized farming:

Specialized farming is a type of agriculture where farmers focus on growing one specific type of crop. Benefits of specialized farming include increased production and higher profits for farmers.

However, specialized farming can also lead to decreased crop diversity and increased dependency on pesticides and other chemicals.

Specialized farming is out of reach for the small farmers, only big companies are able to grow a farming system that is based on only one crop.

Big firms such as K&Ns are responsible for the chicken rearing. Firms like these have huge poultry farms.

Peasant farming:

In peasant farming, crops are grown by subsistence farmers who live off of the land they farm. The main benefit of peasant farming is that it allows farmers to produce enough food to feed themselves and their families.

Peasant farming is a type of subsistence agriculture, which is the traditional form of agriculture in many parts of the world. In peasant farming, farmers grow crops such as wheat, barley, and rice.

They also keep livestock, such as chickens and goats. Peasant farming is labor-intensive, and farmers often work long hours to produce enough food for their families.

Diversified farming:

A type of agriculture where more than one crop is grown on a piece of land is called diversified farming.

The main objective of this type of farming is to get the best possible returns from the land by growing a mix of crops that complement each other. There are many benefits that a farmer can reap by diversifying their farm.

It helps to spread the risk. If a farmer plants just one crop and there is a disease that affects that particular crop, then the farmer will likely lose their entire harvest.

However, if the farmer has diversified their farm and is growing multiple crops, then they will still be able to harvest some crops even if one or two are affected by disease. Another benefit is that it can lead to increased production.

Subsistence farming:

Subsistence farming is a type of agriculture where a farmer grows crops primarily to feed themselves and their family.

Subsistence farming includes being able to provide for oneself and not having to rely on others for food.

Subsistence farmers often have little to no surplus production, meaning they cannot sell their crops for profit.

As a result, subsistence farmers typically live in poverty and have little opportunity to improve their standard of living.

Mixed farming:

Mixed farming is a type of farming that involves growing both crops and livestock. This type of farming has many benefits, including providing farmers with a source of income from both crop and livestock production.

Mixed farming also has some downsides, such as the potential for lower crop yields due to competition from livestock for resources.

Large scale farming:

As the world’s population continues to grow, the demand for food also increases. Large-scale farming is a type of agriculture that involves a large amount of land and labor to produce crops on a commercial scale.

This type of farming has several benefits, including increased production and efficiency, as well as economies of scale. However, large-scale farming also has some downsides, such as negative environmental impacts and extensive use of the resources.

Small scale farming:

Small scale farming is a type of agriculture where farmers utilize a small amount of land to grow crops.

Although the production is not as high as that of large commercial farms, small scale farming has many bright sides. One benefit is that small scale farmers are able to have a direct relationship with the consumers.

This allows them to sell their products at a higher price and receive more profit. Small scale farming also allows farmers to be more environmentally sustainable. They are able to use less chemicals and fertilizers, which can lead to healthier soil and water.

Small scale farming is that it is often very labor intensive. Farmers may have to work long hours with little help. This can make it difficult for small scale farmers to compete with larger commercial farms.

Dry farming:

Dry farming is a type of agriculture where farmers rely on rainfall to water their crops, as opposed to irrigation.

Dry farming has a number of benefits, including being more water-efficient and requiring less labor. Dry farming can face some challenges, such as being more susceptible to drought.

Rainfed farming:

Rainfed farming is a type of agriculture where crops are grown without irrigation. This means that farmers rely on rainfall to water their crops. There are both benefits and downsides to this type of farming.

Rainfed farming requires less investment than irrigation-based farming. This means that it can be more accessible for small-scale farmers who may not have the resources to invest in an irrigation system.

Additionally, rainfed farming can be less labor-intensive than other types of agriculture since farmers don’t have to worry about operating an irrigation system.

However it is more difficult to predict crop yields since they will be dependent on the amount of rainfall each year. This uncertainty can make it harder for farmers to plan for their production needs.

Aquatic farming:

Aquatic farming is a type of agriculture that involves the cultivation of aquatic plants or animals in freshwater or saltwater environments.

Aquaculture is one of the fastest-growing sectors of the agricultural industry, and it plays an important role in food security and global food production. 

Aquatic farming can be used to produce a variety of crops, including fish, shellfish, seaweed, and algae.

Aquaculture is often seen as a sustainable alternative to traditional methods of fishing and farming, as it can help to reduce pressure on wild fish stocks and provide a source of healthy seafood. 

Aquatic farming, including the potential for pollution and the spread of disease. Aquaculture operations need to be carefully managed in order to minimize these risks.

Shifting farming:

Shifting cultivation is a type of farming in which farmers clear a piece of land, burn the vegetation, and then plant crops in the ashes. After a few years, the farmer moves on to another piece of land, allowing the first piece of land to recover.

Shifting cultivation has been practiced for thousands of years by many cultures around the world. It is an important form of agriculture in many tropical countries where other forms of farming are not possible.

There are both benefits and downsides to shifting cultivation. On the plus side, it is a very efficient way to use land resources.

Farmers can grow a variety of crops on the same piece of land over time, and no expensive equipment or inputs are required. On the downside, shifting cultivation can lead to soil erosion and loss of fertility if not done properly. It can also be labor-intensive.

Capitalistic farming:

Capitalistic farming is a type of farming where farmers own the means of production and they benefit from the profits of their production.

In capitalistic farming, farmers may not be able to invest in new technology or may not be able to keep up with the changing times.

Extensive farming:

Extensive farming is a type of agriculture where farmers rely heavily on natural resources to produce crops and rear animals.

The main benefit of extensive farming is that it requires less investment than other types of agriculture, such as intensive farming. Extensive farming generally results in lower yields than other types of agriculture.

Intensive farming:

Intensive farming is a type of agriculture where farmers use high levels of inputs, such as fertilizers and pesticides, to achieve maximum production.

This type of farming can have benefits, such as higher yields, but it can also have negative impacts on the environment.

Crop rotation:

Crop rotation is a technique used by farmers to grow different types of crops in succession on the same piece of land. The main purpose of crop rotation is to improve soil fertility and yield, but it also has other benefits and drawbacks. 

Crop rotation can help to improve soil fertility because different crops require different inputs. For example, legumes such as beans and peas add nitrogen to the soil while plants like wheat and corn remove it. This can help to maintain or improve soil quality over time. 

But it can be expensive and time-consuming for farmers to constantly change their equipment and inputs. Additionally, crop rotation may not always be successful in improving yields, particularly if the wrong crops are chosen for the specific piece of land.

Ranching or pastoral farming:

Ranching, or pastoral farming, is a type of agriculture that involves the raising of livestock. Farmers who engage in ranching typically raise cattle, sheep, goats, and horses.

The main goal of ranching is to produce meat, milk, and other animal products for human consumption. 

There are several good things about ranching. First, it provides farmers with a source of income. Second, it helps to conserve open space and wildlife habitat. Third, it can provide local communities with a source of food. 

It requires a lot of land. Another is that it can be difficult to get the right mix of inputs (e.g., feed, water, shelter) for the animals.

Irrigated or garden land farming:

Irrigated or garden land farming is a type of farming where farmers use irrigation to water their crops.

This type of farming can be very useful for farmers because it can help them increase their production.

However, there are also some downsides to this type of farming. For example, farmers need to use more inputs in order to irrigate their crops. This can sometimes lead to lower yields.

Organic farming:

Organic farming is a type of agriculture that relies on naturally occurring inputs and processes, rather than the use of synthetic inputs and processes.

Organic farmers rely on crop rotation, cover crops, and other natural methods to maintain soil health and fertility, as well as to control pests and diseases.

Advantages of organic farming include improved soil health, increased biodiversity, and reduced reliance on synthetic inputs.

Organic farming can have some downsides, including lower yields and higher production costs.