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).*
Baltimore Has Poe; Philadelphia Wants Him Sat, 06 Sep 2008 10:05:09 -0000 An Edgar Allan Poe scholar is arguing that Poe’s remains belong in Philadelphia, where he wrote many of his most noteworthy works.
Paralympic Athletes Add Equality to Their Goals Sat, 06 Sep 2008 07:38:02 -0000 Many Paralympians criticize the U.S. Olympic program for giving them fewer benefits than Olympians receive.
Highway Fund Shortfall May Halt Road Projects Sat, 06 Sep 2008 08:29:41 -0000 An important account in the federal Highway Trust Fund will run out of money this month, which could hamper road and bridge projects, the transportation secretary said.
Jamesway Incubator Company Ltd. - Manufacturer and supplier of poultry incubation systems and accessories.
Meta Description: [ Jamesway Incubator Company Ltd. is the world's leading manufacturer and supplier of poultry incubation systems and accessories. ]
Ontario Holsteins - Non-profit association representing 5400 Ontario Holstein breeders and working to further breeder education and the promotion of identified cattle.
Meta Description: [ Information on the Ontario and Canadian Holstein industry, provincial judging schools and judging competitions, Holstein show dates and results, scholarship and award programs, The Ontario Dairy Youth Trust Fund and a great deal more. Holstein Ontario is the Provincial Branch of the Holstein As... ]
cultural richness of the humid tropics is at risk due to social marginalization, irresponsible agriculture, and poor ...