Gourt > Regional > Africa > Science and Environment > Agriculture
Agriculture (a term which encompasses farming) is the art, science or practice of producing food, feed, fiber and many other desired goods by the systematic raising of plants and animals. Agri is from Latin ager ("a field"), and culture is from Latin cultura, meaning "cultivation" in the strict sense of tillage of the soil. Thus a literal reading of the English word yields tillage of the soil of a field. In actual usage, Agriculture denotes a broad array of activities essential to food and material production, including all techniques for raising and processing livestock (see Animal husbandry) no less than those essential to crop planting and harvesting.
Continual improvement in agricultural methods from pre-history to the present has been the key factor in the extreme specialization of human activity during the historical epoch. Many of these specializations have nothing to do with food production, but when specialists such as scientists, inventors and mechanical and chemical engineers devote their efforts to the improvement of farming methods, resources and implements they too, along with those who work the fields and pens, are said to be "in agriculture".
42% (2002 estimate) of the world's population is employed in agriculture, making it by far the most common occupation, yet it accounts for only 4.4% (2005 estimate) of the Gross World Product (an aggregate of all Gross Domestic Products).*
More on [ Agriculture ]
Water Resources :: Science and Environment
Rural Development :: Aid and Development
Agriculture :: Science
Drought :: Weather Phenomena
RT @100Miles: "Issues facing agriculture today are more complicated than lining up behind labels such as "local" and "organic." http://t ...
valeriecomer (valeriecomer) Thu, 07 Jan 2010 20:47:41 -0000
RT @100Miles: "Issues facing agriculture today are more complicated than lining up behind labels such as "local" and "organic." http://t ...
RT @postpolitickr: McCall Family Business Chastised By Department Of Agriculture http://bit.ly/554Pbk
Kleinheider (A.C. Kleinheider) Thu, 07 Jan 2010 20:45:29 -0000
RT @postpolitickr: McCall Family Business Chastised By Department Of Agriculture http://bit.ly/554Pbk
Congrats! RT @PorkMag: Students Bring Agriculture to Life. http://tinyurl.com/y86gpt5
animalag (Animal Ag Alliance) Thu, 07 Jan 2010 20:40:20 -0000
Congrats! RT @PorkMag: Students Bring Agriculture to Life. http://tinyurl.com/y86gpt5
Eastern MA folks: RT @Bosrunner: Community supported agriculture, at the library http://bit.ly/90wq31 #Somerville #FarmShare
yardhalf (yardhalf) Thu, 07 Jan 2010 20:39:38 -0000
Eastern MA folks: RT @Bosrunner: Community supported agriculture, at the library http://bit.ly/90wq31 #Somerville #FarmShare
no i would like to no Explain some of the recent developements in the research into fertility problems : the applications in agriculture of
randomD (catherine marsden) Thu, 07 Jan 2010 20:39:22 -0000
no i would like to no Explain some of the recent developements in the research into fertility problems : the applications in agriculture of
Agriculture Today: Great Plains Diagnostic Network, 2 parts. An extended visit with the director of the Great... http://fb.me/4dWVQHa
kstatenews (K-State News) Thu, 07 Jan 2010 20:35:43 -0000
Agriculture Today: Great Plains Diagnostic Network, 2 parts. An extended visit with the director of the Great... http://fb.me/4dWVQHa
AfricaBiotech.com - News and science-based information on agricultural biotechnology in the region, including potential relevance to African agriculture, biosafety, intellectual property rights, biodiversity and capacity building.
Meta Description: [ Biotechnology in Africa, for agriculture, human health and the environment. ]
African Crop Science Journal - Publishes research, short paper, and a book review abstracts concerning tropical science and agriculture as they affect the region. From the Makerere University, Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry, African Crop Science Society, in Kampala, Uganda.
Drylands - Summarizes the research work of Michael Mortimore and Mary Tiffen on agriculture policies and related issues. Articles pertain to the African countries of Niger, Nigeria, Kenya and Senegal. Page includes articles (in PDF) and abstracts.
Meta Description: [ Drylands Research writes and co-ordinates policy-related research on rural livelihoods and environmental management in semi-arid tropical countries. ]
IDRC - Cover Crops in West Africa - Online book (1998) examines the potential for using cover crops to maintain and improve soil fertility in West Africa. Documents past experiences with cover cropping in Africa and is intended to stimulate future research on priority socioeconomic and biophysical aspects of this topic. [English, French]
IDRC - Farming Systems in the African Savanna: A Continent in Crisis - Online book (1995) examines selected case studies, highlighting some of the problems facing farmers in the African savanna and suggesting some possible approaches toward solutions.
Journal of Food Technology in Africa - Features topics covering food engineering, production management, nutrition, safe storage, economy and environmental aspects. From the year 2001 onwards.
Lost Crops of Africa: Volume I: Grains - Online book from National Academic Press.
UN FAO - Aquastat: Africa - Compares renewable water resource and irrigation use data between 7 major climate regions within Africa. Page includes charts and summaries. Published by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.
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