Extenzív

Extenzív is a term used in several European languages to describe practices or systems characterized by large area and relatively low input per unit of production. In agriculture, the concept corresponds to extensive farming, where production relies on natural resources such as rainfall, soil fertility, and grazing rather than high external inputs like fertilizers, irrigation, or intensive mechanization. The defining feature is the broad geographic scope and lower intensity of management, which often results in lower yields per hectare but can reduce capital costs and be more feasible on large landscapes.

Extenzív systems are common in pastoral and grazing regions, on arable land managed with minimal inputs, and in agroforestry or land-use schemes that prioritize sustainability over short-term output. They may benefit biodiversity and soil structure when well designed and monitored, but they can also be vulnerable to climate variability, overgrazing, and land degradation if not properly managed. Economic viability often depends on scale, land accessibility, and local ecological conditions, as the total output may require extensive land areas to meet demand.

In contrast to intensive farming, which emphasizes high inputs and high yields per area, extensive farming emphasizes area and resource stewardship. The term is widely used in agronomy, rural development, and ecological management, with regional variations in definition and practice. See also extensive farming and pastoralism.