12 Importance Of Agriculture To Man, World Economy, and Environment

What is agriculture?

Agriculture is the basis of all civilizations. The importance of agriculture can be revealed from the fact that It is part of everything from the food we eat to the clothes we wear. Man has learned the importance of agriculture in feeding his tribes from ancient times and started collecting and cultivating seeds of cereals.  Agriculture forms many of the traditions and values on which this world is built up off.

Definition: Agriculture is the science, art, and occupation of crop production, livestock breeding, and soil cultivation.

Important agricultural products or Importance of Agriculture

Agriculture has great importance in our daily life. The clothing we wear to the houses we live in all is formed directly or indirectly from agricultural products. Without agriculture, life on this planet will not be survived. Agricultural products are divided into four main groups: Food, fuel, fiber, and raw materials:

1- Importance of Agriculture in Food Production

Agriculture, the oldest profession of humans, continued from Adam A.S. ( the first human on earth) to up till now. The importance of agriculture can be understood from the fact that our all food is produced by this profession and without it we can not feed such a large world population.

Cereals and cereal crops are grown in more than half of the world’s cultivated area, according to the US Department of Agriculture (USDA). But food crops include more than just grains such as wheat, barley, barley, oats, rice, beans, grams, etc. Meat and dairy products such as milk are also agriculture-based food products, such as honey and farmed fish.

2- Importance of Agriculture in Production of Fuel

Ethanol, made from corn, sugar cane, or sorghum, is the most widely used agricultural fuel product. However, agricultural by-products such as sugar cane are burned to produce energy. Jatropha oil from the seeds of Jatropha Curcas is an excellent source of biodiesel, the fuel that can be used in motor vehicles.

3- Importance of Agriculture in Providing Industrial Raw materials

Examples of agricultural raw materials which are used in various industries are the following.

• raw latex
• crude oil
• cotton
• raw biomass
• Rubber
• Raw Herbs
• Gums
• Raw cereals
• jute

List of Industries that use agricultural raw materials 

Modern man is producing important agriculture-based products by various industries.  industries that use agricultural materials are following

• The Coffee Industry
• The Sugar Industry
• Fruits and Vegetable-Based Industry
• The Cotton Textile Industry
• The Vegetable oil industry
• The Tea Industry
• Floriculture Based Industry
• The Jute Textile Industry

4- Agriculture Provides Employment

The agriculture industry is still one of the biggest sources of employment and in many areas, it is booming. Whether working as a farmer, harvester, agricultural equipment technician, scientist, etc., there are many jobs available in this field. In developing countries, agricultural jobs help reduce high unemployment rates. When it comes to reducing poverty, the evidence shows that focusing on agriculture is far more effective than investing in other areas.

5- Agriculture is Crucial for the Development of a Country

Economic development is linked to the agricultural sector of a country. When trade, national income, and employment are positively combined, a country benefits from reduced poverty and stimulates economic growth. Because strong agriculture generates profits fairly quickly, focusing on it is one of the best ways to accelerate development and improve a country’s position in the world.

6- Agriculture Can help heal the environment

Agriculture has the power to harm or to heal. When farmers prioritize biodiversity on their land, it benefits the land. Having more biodiversity translates into healthier soil, less erosion, better water conservation, and healthier pollinators. This is good news for the environment as a whole, making agriculture an important part of the life cycle.

7- Agriculture Helps in the Creation of infrastructure

Agricultural development subsequently requires the development of other national infrastructures such as roads, storage units, transport railways, market prices, postal services, etc. For an infrastructure that creates a strong demand for industrial products, the agricultural sector also requires the development of the commercial sector.

 8- Agriculture Causes Growth in World Economy

According to the US Department of Agriculture, food and its related industries, all contribute more than $ 1,000 billion to the country’s GDP. This vast industry also provides US citizens with over 22 million full-time and part-time jobs. Whenever the agricultural sector is able to meet the supply and demand curve for food and other agricultural products, their prices fall.

9-  Agriculture And Health

Most crops are still cultivated for food and for their raw materials. However, the health sector benefits equally from agriculture. Some crops are grown more for their minerals and other nutrients that they are rich in. Other plants are cultivated specifically for medicinal purposes such as yarrow, plantain, sage, elderberry, and common mallow. Most farmers also grow fruits and vegetables, which are great for maintaining a healthy diet and adding essential nutrients to the body.

10-  Agriculture stimulates innovation in technology

Because healthy agriculture is so essential to the well-being of a country, it has been the scene of some of the most exciting technological innovations. Through artificial intelligence, blockchain software, gene manipulation, etc., scientists and farmers have found ways to increase crop productivity, use less water, and reduce negative impacts. on the environment. For scientists and tech companies, agribusiness is one of the most fascinating and productive fields in which to work.

11- The state of agriculture reflects our future

When it comes to pollution and climate change, the environment and agriculture suffer the fastest and with the most obvious consequences. If effective changes are not made, the impact of climate change on agriculture will decimate a country’s economy and ultimately wipe out the food supply. To get a better idea of ​​where humanity is going, look at agriculture. What are we doing to adapt to a rapidly changing climate? What will our food supply look like? The state of agriculture is a good litmus test of what we can expect for the future.

12-  It can help heal the environment

Agriculture has the power to harm or to heal. When farmers prioritize biodiversity on their land, it benefits the land. Having more biodiversity translates into healthier soil, less erosion, better water conservation, and healthier pollinators. This is good news for the environment as a whole, making agriculture an important part of the life cycle.

The job description of Agriculturist

• Processing, financing, marketing, and distribution of agricultural products
• Managing and look after agricultural supply and services industries
• Give plans and their implementation in the use and conservation of land and water resources
• Focus on food consumption and its effect on health and nutrition
• Development and maintenance of recreational resources
• Research and give policies regarding economic, political, social, environmental, and cultural characteristics related to the food and fiber system