AP Human Geography: Chapter 10, Key Issue 1 - Origin of Agriculture

Introduction to Agriculture

• Agriculture: Deliberate modification of Earth's surface through cultivation of plants and rearing animals for sustenance and economic gain.
• Origins of agriculture are unclear due to its emergence before recorded history.

Hunter-Gatherers

• Early humans were hunter-gatherers, living in small groups to avoid depleting resources.
• Less than 0.005% of the world's population are hunter-gatherers today.
• Examples include: Australia's Spinifex people, India's Sentinelese people, Botswana and Namibia's Bush people.

Agricultural Revolution

• Occurred when humans first domesticated plants and animals, moving away from hunting and gathering.
• Led to permanent settlements and increased population growth due to stable food supply.

Origins and Hearths of Crops

• Southwest Asia: Barley, wheat, lentil, olive (10,000 years ago), spreading to Europe and Central Asia.
• East Asia: Rice along the Yangtze River, millet along the Yellow River (10,000 years ago).
• Sub-Saharan Africa: Sorghum, yams, millet, rice (10,000 years ago).
• Latin America: Beans, cotton (Mexico), potato (Peru), maize (4,000-5,000 years ago).

Spread of Crops

• Crops diffused across regions and continents over time, adapting to diverse climates and cultural preferences.
• Examples include maize spreading north to North America and south to South America.

Animal Hearths

• Southwest Asia: Domestication of cattle, goat, pigs, sheep (8,000-9,000 years ago).
• Dogs: Domesticated about 12,000 years ago in Southwest Asia, East Asia, and Europe.
• Horses: Originated in Central Asia, linked to the spread of the Indo-European language.

Subsistence vs. Commercial Agriculture

• Subsistence Agriculture:
  • Practiced in developing countries.
  • Food is produced for consumption by the farmer's family.
  • Small plot of land, limited resources.
• Commercial Agriculture:
  • Found in developed countries.
  • Food is produced for sale to a large market.
  • Involves fewer farmers, extensive use of machinery, and large farm sizes.
  • Efficient transportation systems support market delivery.

Farm Size and Machinery

• In commercial agriculture, few farmers use machinery to manage large areas of land.
• In subsistence agriculture, many farmers work small plots manually.

Conclusion

• Agriculture's origins are diverse and influenced by various factors, including climate and cultural preferences.
• The differences between subsistence and commercial agriculture highlight disparities in technology and land use.