farming

Farming is the practice of cultivating crops and raising animals for human use, including food, fiber, fuel, and pharmaceuticals. It encompasses a range of activities from preparing soil and planting to breeding livestock and harvesting products. Farming systems vary by geography, climate, culture, and technology.

Historically, farming emerged around 10,000 years ago in multiple regions, with the domestication of plants and animals leading to settled communities. Mechanization and industrial agriculture developed in the 18th–20th centuries, increasing yields and changing labor patterns. In recent decades, advances in genetics, irrigation, and data-driven management have further transformed the sector.

Farm types include arable farming (crops), pastoral farming (livestock), mixed farming (both crops and livestock), and horticulture (fruits, vegetables, ornamental plants). Practices such as soil preparation, planting, irrigation, fertilization, weed and pest control, and animal husbandry are common. Agricultural systems may be conventional, organic, or near-organic, and may use technologies like tractors, drones, and sensors.

Sustainability concerns focus on soil health, water use efficiency, biodiversity, greenhouse gas emissions, and resilience to climate change. Approaches include conservation tillage, integrated pest management, crop rotation, agroforestry, and precision agriculture. The farming sector supports rural livelihoods and food security but faces challenges such as climate variability, water scarcity, land degradation, pests, and market fluctuations.