Difference between subsistence farming commercial farming …

Key Differences Between Subsistence and Commercial Farming

1. Subsistence farming is a system of farming that aims at growing that much amount of crops that fulfils all or almost all the needs of the farmer and his family, with little to no excess produce for marketing. Commercial Farming is the farming method in which crop production and cattle rearing are performed with an intention to sell the produce in the market.
2. Due to high labour inputs are required in subsistence farming, it is a labour-intensive technique. On the contrary, in commercial farming, huge capital investment is required, and that is why it is a capital-intensive technique.
3. Subsistence farming is performed in a small area only. As against, a large area is required to perform commercial farming.
4. To increase productivity, manure is added to the soil, in subsistence farming. In contrast, in commercial farming, the yield of crops can be increased by high doses of modern inputs, i.e. high yielding variety seeds, fertilizers, insecticides, pesticides, and so forth.
5. In subsistence farming, mainly food grains like wheat and rice, fruits and vegetables are grown. Conversely, in commercial farming mainly cash crops and cereals are grown.
6. While subsistence farming highly depends on the monsoon and simple methods of irrigation, commercial farming relies on modern irrigation methods such as surface irrigation, drip system, sprinkler, etc.
7. In subsistence farming, traditional methods of cultivation are used, whereas machines are used for the purpose of cultivating the land, in commercial farming.