Subsistence Farming and Commercial Farming

Subsistence Farming

Farming is done to satisfy the basic needs of the farmer and his family without any profit from the farming.

Features 

• Most of crop production is consumed by the farmers and families.
• Subsistence farming is done in small land and use of primitive tools.
• In this farming farmer will not use fertilizer and high yielding variety of seeds as they are poor.
• There is no require of human labour
• In this type of farming we need ordinary tools of agriculture.

Advantages

• Subsistence farming is Cheapest farming, it not require huge investment.
• In subsistence farming hiring labour is not required. 
• It provide food for the family

Disadvantages

• Subsistence farming is fully depend on the rain to do well. 
• It is limited production of the crops
• In subsistence farming there is no financial profit.
• This framing is not attractive for the investors to invest in the farming. 

Commercial Farming

Commercial farming is all about the growing of crops and/or the rearing of domestic animals for economic activity. It is done for profitable reasons.

This practice is also known as agribusiness.

Features

• Commercial farming require large surface of area.
• In commercial farming we need high technology and expertise to meet target of production.
• Commercial farming require heavy capital.
• It requires large number of skilled and unskilled labours.
• Commercial farming requires machines to meet the target to earn profit.

Types of commercial farming

• Dairy farming: It is farming of milk and milk products.Dairy farms specialize in products other than milk such as butter and cheese.

• Grain farming: It is type of commercial farming it grows grain such as corn, barley and wheat for human consumption and exports.

• Plantation Farming: In Plantation farming crops are grown for the purpose of making profits.This form of farming is mainly found in tropical climate. Plantation farming is very sensitive farming. eg tea, coffee, sugarcane, cashew etc.

• Livestock Ranching: This is the raising of domestic animals for their meat products. The most commonly animals are cattle and sheep, although you can find pigs and chicken reared in large numbers as well.

• Mediterranean Agriculture: It is a type of commercial farming it is practiced in Mediterranean countries.for example olives, pomegranates, mandarin oranges, fig, pistachio, pears, grapes, etc.

• Mixed Crop and Livestock Farming: In this type of farming both crops and livestock are farmed in the same piece of land. The crops are grown to feed the animals, and the animals sold to make  profit. Vise versa animal waste can be used to grow crops. 

• Commercial Gardening and Fruit Farming (truck farming): In type of farming, crops that are high in demand are grown. Examples apples, lettuce, cherries and asparagus.

Advantages

• Commercial farming helps to improvement in local infrastructure.
• Commercial farming help to decrease the cost of agriculture products.
• Commercial farming help to reduce unemployment in surrendering areas.
• Commercial farming helps to increase production and to make profit.
• Commercial farming also help countries to make trade in foreign countries.

Disadvantages

• Availability of land.
• Lake of government support.
• In commercial farming using lot of chemicals to control diseases, it will harmful to environment.