What is the Difference Between Agriculture and Farming?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚The terms "agriculture" and "farming" are related and often used interchangeably, but they have subtle differences. Here are the key distinctions between the two:
- Scope: Agriculture is a broader term that encompasses various activities related to the cultivation of rearing of animals, and production of agricultural products. It includes farming as one of its components. Farming, on the other hand, refers specifically to the practice of cultivating crops and rearing animals for food, fiber, and other agricultural products.
- Activities: Agriculture covers a vast area, including production, research and development, and farming is the process of implementing agricultural activities. Research in agriculture includes genetic engineering, plant breeding, and plant protection, while farming techniques include transplanting, pruning, tilling, crop rotation, and selective harvesting.
- Types: Agriculture can be divided into two major groups: farming and husbandry. Farming can be categorized into different types, such as collective farming, factory farming, intensive farming, protected culture farming, and others.
In summary, agriculture is a broader term that includes farming as one of its components, and it encompasses the entire industry, including research, policies, and management of agricultural systems. Farming, on the other hand, is the practice of cultivating crops and rearing animals for various agricultural products.
Comparative Table: Agriculture vs Farming
The difference between agriculture and farming can be understood through the following table:
| Aspect | Agriculture | Farming |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | The science, art, and practice of producing crops and livestock | The act of cultivating the land and raising animals |
| Scope | Encompasses the entire process of food production from start to finish | Focuses on specific aspects of food production, such as crop cultivation or animal husbandry |
| Activities | Includes soil preparation, planting, growing, pest and disease control, fertilization, irrigation, harvesting, and post-harvest handling | Involves plowing, planting, spraying, and harvesting for farmers, and raising livestock for ranchers |
| Methods | Can involve various methods such as traditional farming, hydroponics, aeroponics, and more | Primarily focuses on traditional farming methods, although some practices like beekeeping, aquaculture, and mushroom cultivation can also be considered |
| Land Use | Maximizes land usage by rotating crops and animals, and using land unsuitable for farming | Utilizes fertile soil to cultivate crops and pastures to raise livestock |
| Diversification | Can encompass a wide range of activities, such as aquaculture, apiculture, mushroom cultivation, and more | Primarily focuses on specific crops or livestock, like grains, vegetables, fruit, nuts, or cotton |
In summary, agriculture is a broader term that encompasses the entire process of food production, including various methods and activities. Farming, on the other hand, is a specific aspect of food production, focusing on cultivating the land and raising animals.
- Agriculture vs Horticulture
- Farm vs Ranch
- Subsistence Farming vs Commercial Farming
- Agronomy vs Horticulture
- Traditional vs Modern Farming
- Subsistence Farming vs Intensive Farming
- Organic Farming vs Conventional Farming
- Biodynamic vs Organic Farming
- Crop vs Plant
- Sustainable vs Regenerative Agriculture
- Floriculture vs Horticulture
- Land Reform vs Agrarian Reform
- Rural vs Urban
- Fruit vs Vegetable
- Fruits vs Vegetables
- Hydroponics vs Aquaponics
- Urban vs Rural Communities
- Aquaculture vs Pisciculture
- Factory vs Industry