Section A- Introduction to Agriculture

1. History of Agriculture

Definition Of Agriculture:
 Agriculture can be defined as the art, the science and the business of producing crops
and livestock for economic purposes.
 The art in agriculture is how skillful the farmer carries out the operations on the farm.
 The science is the pursuit and application of knowledge and understanding of the
natural world e.g. crop protection, land management.
 Agriculture as a business aims at combining the factors of production (land, labour,
capital, management) to make a profit.

What is the difference between Agriculture and Agricultural Science?

- The difference between agriculture and agricultural science is that agriculture is the
performance of farmers that grow crops and rare animals for human consumption
therefore, agricultural science is the study and biology in plants and animals.

History in Agriculture
The history in agriculture can be broken down into 3 sections: Pre – colonial era, colonial era
and Post – colonial era.

Pre- Colonial Era

Agriculture in pre-colonial times involved mainly hunting and gathering. These activities
included hunting for wild boar and fishing.
Root crops were the primary crops planted. These crops included cassava, dasheen and sweet
potato. During the pre-colonial era, farming was managed through methods such as shifting
cultivation and slash and burn.
‘Shifting Cultivation’ is where planters cleared the land by burning and used the land until it
became infertile then they shifted to a new location and carried out the same practice.
Colonial Era
In the colonial era, the approach to farming changed drastically with the introduction of crops
such as sugar cane and banana. Some crops were introduced to the Caribbean at this time, such
as ackee and breadfruit.
Slash and burn were also practiced in the colonial era as the main way to clear land, and
livestock was used to till the soil.
Coastal fishing was popular around the islands and people used simple boats and small fishing
vessels to fish.
Livestock rearing was introduced, and consisted mainly of cattle (beef and dairy) along with an
increasing reliance on poultry for eggs and meat.

Post- Colonial Era

This era saw more changes in the technology used following the ‘green revolution’, which
encouraged the widespread use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides to increase crop
production.
It also saw the introduction of crop rotation to minimize the negative impact of agriculture on
the soil and water.
Rearing poultry within confined spaces for both eggs and meat grew rapidly to replace the
dependence on beef.
The rearing of other animals, such as pigs for pork and bacon, and small ruminants (goats and
sheep) increased significantly.
The diversification of crops became more pronounced with the introduction of non-traditional
crops such as yam, banana, coffee, cocoa and coconut.
 2. Conventional VS Non- Conventional Systems

Conventional Farming Systems

These are traditional small, medium or large farms. They rely on the use of machinery and
equipment, fertilizer pesticides heavy irrigation systems and concentrate livestock feeding to
produce crops/ livestock products. Large number of resources are required +System can be very
productive.

Non- Conventional Systems

Involves new/ innovative farming systems that produce crop/ livestock using:
1. Little or no fertilizer/ pesticide
2. Smaller land space
3. Less water and non disruptive to the environment/ ecosystem

TYPES OF NON-CONVENTIONAL FARMING SYSTEMS: Hydroponics, Aquaponics, Grow

boxes, Trough culture, Urban and peri-urban farming.

Hydroponics System
Plants grown using a hydroponics system are grown in water. The water is full of nutrients,
which are taken up by the roots. In hydroponics you provide the exact nutrients your plants
need, so they can develop and grow. The nutrients are fed directly at the root base, never
stressing the plant due to lack for nutrients or water. Crops such as lettuce and tomatoes are
grown using hydroponics
Advantages of Hydroponics System
 The plants receive the nutrients they need, which speeds up their growth, and the
process is totally controlled by the grower.
 The plants can also be stacked to take up less space.
 the plants use less water than plants grown conventionally.
 Soil contains a lot of diseases and pathogens that can affect the crop. These diseases
and pathogens are eliminated by hydroponics.

The Disadvantages of Hydroponics System

 An important disadvantage is that the system is expensive to establish and run
 Requires extensive knowledge of hydroponics
 Requires constant monitoring

Aquaponics System
It is the marriage of aquaculture (raising fish, etc.) and Hydroponics (the soil-less growing of
plants) that grows fish and plants together in one integrated system. The fish waste provides an
organic food source for the growing plants and the plants provide a natural filter for the water
that fish live in. The wastewater is pumped from the fish tank into the grow bed. In the Grow
bed, the wastewater is filtered by the plant roots into clean water. The clean water is then sent
back to the fish tank.

Advantages of Aquaponics System

 Reduction in the use of water
 No harmful fertilizers or pesticide run-off
 There is no need for artificial fertilizers
 Reduction in labour costs
 Two incomes are gained – crop and fish
Disadvantages of Aquaponics System
 Requires electrical energy
 Cost of fish food and Start-up cost is high
 Limited to the production of certain types of crops - e.g., root crops cannot be grown

Grow- Box
The Grow Box system is the use of an enclosed box-like structure filled with a special mixed
medium inside the box. Soil is NOT used in making the medium inside the box. The material
used inside include: - bagasse, sharp sand, limestone and fertilizers are used instead.

Trough Culture
Trough culture involves growing crops in shallow troughs. Troughs can be filled with an inert,
soil-free medium such as rock wool and are connected to a drip system that supplies water and
nutrients in solution. Once the troughs have been set up, they are easy and inexpensive to
maintain. They can be used for vegetables and flowers and the gardener can put them in
greenhouses or anywhere convenient. Both grow boxes and trough culture enable plants to be
grown where space is limited or the soil is poor. Modifications can be made to suit the
circumstances, for example, the number of units and their arrangement, the use of different
types of inert material and temperature and lighting control (if needed). Commercial systems
have many units, but both methods can be used on a smaller scale.

Urban and Peri- Urban Farming

This is the cultivation of small areas of land, usually less than two hectares, in or near cities,
towns or villages. Vegetables, fruits and meat are produced for urban consumers.
Urban Farms
it is a mixed farm (both plants and animals) with small animals and the manure is used as
fertilizers. Grows crops that ripen within 3 months e.g. tomatoes, lettuce, pakchoi, celery. They
use pots, troughs, grow boxes and hydroponics to grow crops.
 3. Organic Farming

Organic Farming
Organic farming is an approach that seeks to limit or eradicate the introduction of synthetic
elements into agriculture. It is the production of plants and animals without using synthetic or
inorganic chemicals. No synthetic pesticides, fertilizers, antibiotics or growth hormones are
used.

Principles of Organic Farming

Organic farming restricts the use of herbicides and pesticides to increase biodiversity.
Biodiversity is the variety of living organisms in a specific habitat or area.
Organic farming benefits the environment in many ways. Different weed species growing in an
organic crop attract insects, which then feed on plant pests. In turn, these insects provide food
for birds and mammals.
Farmyard manure is used to add organic matter to the soil, which encourages soil micro-
organisms to break down the manure and increase the soil fertility.
Overall, there are 30% more species found on organic farms than on conventional farms.

Soil Management on Organic Farming

Since artificial (inorganic) fertilizer is not used, the farmer uses soil management to ensure a
supply of the essential nutrients (N.P.K).
Instead of relying on artificial fertilizers, the farmer can use some of the methods:
 Crop rotation
 Green manuring
 Intercropping
Use of organic manure and composts such as crop residues (sugar cane waste, spent mushroom
compost)
Crop- Rotation

Crop Rotation is a sequence of different crops being grown from year to year (cereals, root
crops, legumes). The sequence is planned so that crops are grown on different plots each year.

Benefits of Crop- Rotation

 Life cycles of pests and pathogens are broken (different types of crops attract different
types of pests and pathogens).
 Inclusion of a legume increases soil nitrogen.
 Different crops need different methods of cultivation so this improves soil texture.
Green Manure
Green Manure is the ploughing in of a cover crop into the soil. This adds organic matter to the
soil. It Improves soil fertility by increasing soil nitrogen.

Intercropping
Intercropping is where two or more crops grown at the same time on the same land.
This results in:
 Reduces competition from weeds
 The cover from the vegetation reduces run-off. Saves on space
 Crops are harvest at different times

Organic Manure/ Compost

It can either be spread or ploughed into the soil, Used as a mulch and it helps with aeration and
drainage in clay soils, Retains water in sandy soils, Releases nutrients slowly over time.
Provides food for soil animals e.g. Earthworms

Weed Controls on Organic Farms

No chemicals are used therefore weeds are controlled by:
 hand-weeding
 Hoeing
 Mulching with compost / plastic film
In rice-growing areas-- ducks and fish introduces to eat weeds and insects.
Pest Controls on Organic Farms
It is difficult to control insects and other pests without chemicals. Pests can cause serious losses
but organic farmers are not permitted to use any chemical pesticides. If they do, their farms are
not considered truly organic.
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) involves pest control using a range of complementary
approaches, including natural predators and other biological and environmental control
practices, instead of chemicals.

Biological Control
Biological control is a method of controlling pest populations naturally, without the use of toxic
chemicals.

Certification of Organic Farms

Farmers who want to sell their produce as ‘organic’ must first obtain certification. At the
moment, there is no organic certification in the Caribbean, so a farmer who wants to be
accredited as an organic farmer needs to decide which country to use to obtain the
certification.
The application form requires details about:
 soil fertility planning
 seeds and seed planting
 weed and pest management practices
 storage and handling of produce
 the crops grown and the fields used (a map of the farm has to be supplied)
 the plans for monitoring how the farm will be managed to avoid contamination with
non-organic products
When the farm is inspected, the fields, implements and buildings are reviewed.
The farmer provides the inspector with records of the crops planted, the sources of seeds used,
the harvesting and storage practices, the transportation methods for the produce and the sales.
Before a certificate can be granted, the land has to be free from prohibited pesticides and
fertilizers for three years.
If livestock are involved, the conditions in which they are kept, their feed and their medication
have to be inspected. The inspectors have to be convinced that the producer uses techniques
that conserve and build soil resources, produce little pollution and support natural pest
management.
In addition, the inspectors make sure that there is no contamination from pesticides and
fertilizers used on neighboring farms. Becoming ‘organic’ can be expensive and time-consuming
for a small farmer.
There is usually a fee to be paid for inspection and certification, and a lot of recordkeeping and
paperwork. However, the principles of organic farming encourage the maintenance of
ecological balance and biodiversity.
Many consumers are prepared to pay more for organically produced food.
 4. Importance of Agriculture in National, Regional and International Economies

Importance of Agriculture in National, Regional and International Economies:

 Food Security
 Imported Food compared to locally produced food
 Foreign Exchange Earnings
 Contribution to GDP
 Employment
 Land Area in Agriculture
 National and regional plans for agricultural development
 Trade Liberalization

Food Security
Food Security is where all people, at all times, have physical, social, and economic access to
sufficient, safe, and nutritious food that meets their food preferences and dietary needs for
an active and healthy life.
Countries can achieve food security by encouraging agricultural production.

Imported Food Compared to Locally Produced Food

Locally grown foods are fresher: Fruits and vegetables begin to lose their nutrients within 24
hours of being picked, so fresher produce is more nutritious. locally grown food is picked at its
peak ripeness, when it’s most dense with nutrients.
Most produce in the grocery store is harvested before it’s fully ripe so it can make the trip to
store shelves without rotting. Air, artificial lights and temperature changes during transport
lower a food’s nutritional value as well
By comparison, local food is healthier because it’s only transported short distances and isn’t
exposed to chemicals, gasses or waxes used to preserve food for long-distance transport.

Foreign Exchanges Earnings

Foreign exchange is earned when Caribbean agricultural goods and services are sold to other
countries. For example, the export of bananas and coffee earns foreign currency. However,
when foreign agricultural goods and services are imported, Caribbean currency is converted
into foreign exchange. Importing agricultural machinery from abroad is therefore a loss to the
local community.

Contribution to Gross National Product

The Gross National Product (GNP) is a measure of the current value of goods and services from
all sectors of the national economy. Agriculture is a vital sector of the Caribbean national
economy and contributes to the GNP.

Employment
The agriculture sector provides employment from unskilled labourer to the professional soil
scientist. When agriculture is developed in a country, many jobs will be created • E.g..
Labourers, farmers, managers, extension Officers, Overseers, Research workers, Veterinarians,
Agricultural Engineers, Viticulturists, Soil Scientists, Teachers.

Land Area in Agriculture

With rising population levels, housing, industry, agriculture, urban development and
infrastructure, competes for land use.
National and Regional Plans for Agriculture
Agricultural plans are policy documents prepared by governments, private firms or
international organizations, which set out plans for agricultural development. Normally, local or
national plans are prepared by the government of each Caribbean country for a five-year
period.
The plan for each country identifies:
The areas of agriculture that need attention and may specify the current status, constraints,
strategies and resources required for the development of each area.
Carefully prepared plans can result in agricultural development and national development.

Trade Liberalization
Trade liberalization helps global competitiveness. A fair trade in goods and services develops
when tariffs and non-tariff barriers are removed. A tariff is a tax levied by a government on
imports (or occasionally exports).
A government uses a tariff to protect a local industry or product to help its balance of payments
or to raise revenue.
The aim of global trade liberalization initiatives is to encourage greater efficiency in marketing
and trade. The initiatives focus on restructuring trade policies to reduce any barriers set up to
protect producers and service providers from competition.
Trade liberalization does not just depend on the removal of barriers and the negotiation of
better access to markets. It requires rules that control how each government forms its trade
policies. This should result in each country being encouraged to improve productivity in
agriculture and make greater efforts to improve the quality of agricultural products.
 5. Agricultural Enterprise

What are Agricultural Enterprises?

Agricultural enterprises mean those small business concerns engaged in the production of food
and fiber, ranching, and raising of livestock, aquaculture, and all other farming and agricultural
related industries. Agricultural Enterprises can be small eg; subsistence farming, and it can also
be large eg; Blue Mountain Coffee in Jamacia, Primary Product Processed into Product.
Agricultural Enterprises: Farming, Processing, Sales and Marketing
Farming
Rearing livestock or growing of crops. Includes plant propagation. Products can be sold at the
farm gate, at the market or to suppliers who process the primary product into other products
for resale locally /export.
Processing
Argo processing involves turning the raw materials into other products. E.g., tomato processed
into ketchup, guava/strawberry processed into jams, jellies, etc.
These can be sold locally and internationally. Argo processing provides employment
opportunities from skilled to unskilled labour.
How Tomato Ketchup Is Made, Tomato Harvesting and Processing Process with Modern
Technology.
Sales and Marketing
Agricultural produce Is sold in shops, roadside stalls, markets, supermarkets. Produce is moved
from the farms to the wholesalers and then to retailers/vendors. Transportation involves
loaders and drivers. Produce may be stored at the wholesalers, employment opportunities such
as storekeepers, clerks, security officers are created. At shops, jobs such as managers, cashiers,
sales personnel are needed.