What is subsistence farming

Subsistence Farming: When farming is done to meet the needs of the farmer’s family, it is called subsistence farming. In subsistence farming, low levels of technology and household labour are generally utilised. Farming is done on smaller plots and output is also small. Subsistence farming can be further categorized as intensive subsistence and primitive subsistence farming.

1. Intensive Subsistence Farming: In this type of farming, the farmer cultivates on a small plot of land. He uses simple tools and more labour. Places which have fertile soils and where the climate allows a large number of days with sunshine are suitable for this type of farming. In favourable climates, farmers are able to grow more than one crop in a year. Rice is the main crop in this type of farming. However, wheat, maize, pulses and oilseeds are also grown. This type of farming is prevalent in densely populated areas of the monsoon regions of south, southeast and east Asia.
2. Primitive Subsistence Farming: Shifting cultivation and nomadic herding come under this type of farming.
   • Shifting Cultivation: In shifting cultivation, a small patch of land is cleared by felling the trees and burning them. Then the ashes are mixed with the soil and seeds are broadcast. After a couple of years, the patch of the land is left fallow and the farmer moves on in search of a new patch of land. Shifting cultivation is practiced in thickly forested areas of Amazon basin, tropical Africa, parts of southeast Asia and Northeast India.
   • Nomadic Herding: In this type of farming, cattle, sheep, goat and camel are reared. The herdsmen move from place to place with their animals in search of new pastures. Nomadic herding is practiced in the semi-arid and arid regions of Sahara, Central Asia and some parts of India (like Rajasthan and Jammu & Kashmir).