COMMERCIAL FARMING

Key Differences between Subsistence and Commercial Agriculture

The difference between subsistence agriculture and commercial agriculture can be developed on the basis of the following premises:
• 1. Subsistence agriculture is an agricultural system that aims to grow as many crops that meet all or almost all the needs of the farmer and his family, with little or no surplus products to market. Commercial farming is the farming method in which plant and livestock production is practiced with the intention of selling the products on the market.
• 2. Because of the high labour required in subsistence agriculture, it is a labour-intensive technique. On the contrary, in commercial agriculture, huge capital investments are needed, which is why it is a capitalistic technique.
• 3. Subsistence agriculture is practiced in a small area only. On the other hand, a large area is necessary to practice commercial agriculture.
• 4. To increase productivity, manure is added to the soil in subsistence agriculture. On the other hand, in commercial agriculture, crop yields can be increased by high doses of modern inputs, ie seeds of high yielding varieties, fertilizers, insecticides, pesticides, etc. .
• 5. In subsistence agriculture, mainly food grains such as wheat and rice, fruits and vegetables are grown. Conversely, in commercial agriculture, cash crops and cereals are mainly grown.
• 6. While subsistence agriculture is highly dependent on the monsoon and simple irrigation methods, commercial agriculture relies on modern irrigation methods such as surface irrigation, drip irrigation, watering, etc.
• 7. In subsistence agriculture, traditional methods of cultivation are used, while the machines are used for the purpose of cultivating the land, in commercial agriculture.