Question

Difference between subsistence and commercial farming

Answer 1

Subsistence Agriculture

(i) Farming practices in which crops are cultivated for local consumption.

(ii) Farms are small and food crops are cultivated such as rice and wheat.

(iii) Old tools and implements are used by the farmers.

(iv) Depends on monsoon and there is greater use of manpower.

Commercial Agriculture

(i) Farming practice in which goods produced are mainly for the market to get cash.

(ii) Farms are larger and cash crops are cultivated. Such as cotton, sugar-cane, jute.

(iii) Better implements are used and there are proper irrigation fa­cilities.

(iv) Less of manpower is used.

Answer 2

Intensive Subsistence Farming

Commercial Farming

In this type of farming, crops produced by the farmers are mainly consumed by their families. Surplus production is sold in the near by local markets.

Crops mainly grown are: wheat, rice etc

In this kind of farming, crops are grown for commercial purposes, i.e. for selling in the local and international markets.

Crops mainly grown are: tea, coffee, jute etc.

It is labour intensive farming.

Farming is mechanised and is prevalent in areas where farms are large and market economy is well developed.

In this kind of farming, more than one crop is cultivated in the agricultural field.