Agricultur

Agricultur, more commonly spelled agriculture, is the science, art, and practice of cultivating the land to produce food, fiber, and fuel. It includes crop production, animal husbandry, and the management of natural resources such as soil, water, and biodiversity. The field ranges from subsistence farming to large-scale commercial operations.

Historically, agriculture began with the domestication of plants and animals during the Neolithic era and has evolved with mechanization, chemical inputs, and advances in genetics. Key developments include crop rotation, irrigation systems, and the Green Revolution, which increased yields through improved varieties and farming practices.

Subfields include agronomy, soil science, horticulture, crop science, animal science, and agribusiness. Practices cover soil preparation, planting, fertilization, pest and disease control, irrigation, harvest, storage, and processing. Modern agriculture also relies on precision farming and data-driven decision making.

Technologies such as tractors, combines, drones, sensors, and biotechnology tools shape production. Sustainable approaches seek to balance productivity with environmental protection, soil health, water use efficiency, biodiversity, and climate resilience. Models such as organic farming and integrated pest management illustrate alternative approaches.

Agriculture supports rural livelihoods and global food security but faces environmental and social challenges, including soil degradation, water scarcity, emissions, and inequitable access to resources. Policy, markets, and research influence how innovations are adopted and how farmers adapt to changing climates and demographics.