Commercial Agriculture

What is Commercial Agriculture?

Commercial Agriculture is a type of agriculture, which is concerned with the production of food, animals and cash crops in large quantities for sale.

Characteristics of Commercial Agriculture:

1. A large area of farmland is required for cultivation.

2. Requires large capital for effective continuity.

3. Involves the use of mechanized machines.

4. Labour is highly mechanical and not manual.

5. High output at the end of production.

6. Uses agrochemicals such as pesticides and insecticides.

7. Involves cultivation of mono-cropping and plantation (especially perennial crops).

8. Large and intensive animal production methods.

Advantages of Commercial Agriculture:

1. Specialization of Labour: It leads to specialization of labour because all the farm operations are mechanized. It involves using only skilled labour.

2. Encouragement of Research work: Encourages research and training in production, storage, processing and marketing of farm produce.

3. It increases yield/output: The farmer cultivates large areas of land which leads to an increase in farm output.

4. Provision of cheap products: As a result of the mass production of crops and animals, commercial farmers can afford to sell their produce at reasonable and low prices.

5. Provision of Quality Products: Most products produced by commercial agriculture are generally of high quality.

Disadvantages or Problems of Commercial Agriculture:

1. Problem of Land TenureLand tenure means the act of acquiring land either by an individual, family, community or government, temporarily or permanently. It determines who can use land, for how long and under what... More Systems: Land tenure system by inheritance does not encourage large-scale production.

2. Capital intensive: Highly expensive to operate, because most of the farm operations are mechanized.

3. Inadequate Processing Facilities: Processing facilities for agricultural products are usually inadequate.

4. Inadequate Skilled Manpower: The required skilled manpower to operate commercial agriculture is not always available or not enough.

5. Encourages Environmental Pollution: The use of machines to perform farm operations most of the time can lead to environmental pollution as a result of noise and smoke emitting from the engines.

6. Problems of Employment: Because most of the farm operations are mechanized commercial agriculture may cause unemployment.

7. Inadequate Technical Know-how: Inadequate technical know-how on the operations and maintenance of farm machinery makes commercial agriculture difficult.

8. Unfavourable Government Policies: This makes commercial agriculture fail in its operation

9. It can lead to soil erosion: Continuous use of heavy machines can lead to erosion.

10. Displacement of Small-Scale Farmers: This can lead to the displacement of small-scale farmers from their land.

11. Inadequate Marketing Channels.

12. High Cost of Spare Parts.