Definition and Branches of Agriculture

The term, agriculture is derived from two Latin words “ager” meaning field and “cultum” meaning cultivatum.

What is Agriculture?

Agriculture can be defined as the science and art of cultivating the soil, production and management of crops and livestock, preparation and processing of their products and by-products, for man’s use and other purposes.

Branches of Agriculture:

Below are the branches of agriculture;

1. Agricultural Extension and Education: It is the informal out-of-school training of farmers to adopt improved methods of farming in order to increase their productivity.

2. Agricultural Science or Animal Husbandrythe care, cultivation, breeding and production of crops and animals. More or Animal Production: It focuses on modern scientific development through breeding, production of farm animals and processing and preservation of the products.

3. Agricultural Economics and Farm Management: It focuses on the production, distribution and consumption of agricultural goods and services.

4. Crop Production or Crop Science: It embodies all studies designed to improve crop yield and quality, such as Agronomy: the study of crops, Pathology: the study of crop diseases and Entomology: the study of insect pests of crops.

5. Soil Science: It is the study of soils in relation to crop production.

6. Animal Health or Veterinary: It focuses on animal health management and the control of pests and diseases of farm animals.

7. Agricultural Engineering: It concentrates on the development and efficient management of farm infrastructures.

8. Forestry and Wildlife Conservation: It is concerned with the study of forest trees and forest environment and wildlife.

9. Fishery: The study of the management of capture fisheryCapture fishery involves catching fish directly from water bodies i.e. lakes, seas, ponds, etc. It involves the natural development of fishes i.e. No need for growing or taking care of fish.... More and culture fishery.

10. Apiculture or Beekeeping: Rearing of bees to produce honey.

11. Heliculture or Snailry: Rearing of snails or snail production.