Project Work on the toPic Agriculture
ABSTRACT
Agriculture is a complex system of inputs,
processes, feedbacks and outputs. It is
influenced by physical, human and
economic factors. Bhutan practices
variety of farming systems including
arable, subsistence, shifting, nomad,
mixed, livestock, commercial and
plantation farming.
Sumita Rai
Geography project work
Contents
Introduction ................................................................................................................................................... 2
Farming System ............................................................................................................................................ 3
Ecological Zones and Farming Practices in Bhutan .................................................................................. 3
Types of Farming .......................................................................................................................................... 5
Factors Influencing Agriculture .................................................................................................................. 9
References .................................................................................................................................................... 10
Introduction
Agriculture is the practice of cultivating plants and livestock. It is one of the oldest and most
important human activities. Agriculture provides food, fiber, and other raw materials that are
essential for human survival and well-being.
Agriculture is a complex system that involves a variety of inputs, processes, feedbacks, and outputs.
The main inputs to agriculture are land, water, labor, capital, and technology. The main processes
in agriculture are planting, irrigation, fertilization, pest control, and harvesting. The main feedbacks
in agriculture are the effects of weather, pests, and diseases on crop yields. The main outputs of
agriculture are food, fiber, and other raw materials.
Figure. 1: Agriculture in Bhutan
Farming System
A farming system is a set of components and processes that interact to produce agricultural products.
The main components of a farming system are:
Inputs: Inputs are the resources that are used to produce agricultural products. Examples of inputs
include land, water, labor, capital, technology, seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides.
Process: Processes are the activities that are performed to produce agricultural products. Examples
of processes include planting, irrigation, fertilization, pest control, and harvesting.
Feedbacks: Feedbacks are the effects of the environment and the farming system on itself.
Examples of feedbacks include the effects of weather, pests, and diseases on crop yields.
Outputs: Outputs are the products that are produced by the farming system. Examples of outputs
include food, fiber, and other raw materials.
Ecological Zones and Farming Practices in Bhutan
Bhutan is divided into six ecological zones: the alpine zone, the cool temperate, warm temperate,
dry subtropical, humid subtropical, wet subtropical zone. Each ecological zone has its own unique
climate and vegetation. This diversity of ecological zones allows Bhutanese farmers to grow a wide
variety of crops.
The following are ecological zones and common farming practices in Bhutan:
The alpine zone which covers the northern region is characterized by alpine meadows and the
temperature is too low to grow food crops.
In the cool temperate zone, the most common way of living is rearing livestock with some dry land
farming. Some of the important crops grown are wheat, potato and buckwheat.
The warm temperate zone has moderately warm temperatures except during winter. In the wetland
areas, rice is the main crop while other crops grown are wheat, potatoes, seasonal fodder and
vegetables.
The dry subtropical zone is warm with moderate rainfall favoring the cultivation of a wide range
of crops. Rice, maize, different types of legumes and vegetables are cultivated.
The humid subtropical zone has a relatively higher rainfall and temperature. The main crops
cultivated are rice, wheat, orange and cardamom. In dry land areas, maize and millet are the
predominant crops.
The wet subtropical zone favors intensive subsistence farming through different forms of multiple
cropping. Rice is the main crop grown in summer while wheat and maize are grown in winter.
Figure 2. Different ecological zones and farming practices
Types of Farming
There are a variety of types of farming practiced in Bhutan, including:
Arable farming: Arable farming is the cultivation of crops on land that is suitable for plowing.
Examples of arable crops include rice, wheat, and maize.
Figure 3. Farming on arable land
Subsistence farming: Subsistence farming is usually practiced on a relatively small land holding
with simple farm tools for self-consumption. In this type of farming, farmers use farmyard manures,
indigenous seeds and simple tools. Productivity is usually low.
Figure 4. Subsistence farming in rural village
Tseri or shifting cultivation: Tseri or shifting cultivation is a traditional farming practice that
involves clearing a patch of forest, cultivating crops on the cleared land for a few years, and then
abandoning the land and moving on to a new patch of forest.
Figure 5. Shifting Cultivation
Nomad farming: Nomad farming is a type of farming that is practiced by nomadic herders. Nomad
herders move their livestock from pasture to pasture in search of food and wate
Figure 6. Nomads migrating
Mixed farming: Mixed farming is a type of farming that combines arable farming and livestock
farming. Mixed farmers typically grow crops and raise livestock on the same farm.
Figure 7. Mixed Farming, cultivating and rearing livestock
Livestock farming: Livestock farming is the raising of animals for food and other products.
Examples of livestock include cattle, goats, and sheep.
Figure 8. Livestock Farming
Commercial farming: Commercial farming is a type of farming that is practiced on a large scale
to produce crops or livestock for sale.
Figure 9. Farming in large scale
Plantation farming: Plantation farming is a type of commercial farming that is practiced on large
estates to produce a single crop. Examples of plantation crops include tea, coffee, and rubber.
Figure 10. plantation farming of Rubber and Tea
Factors Influencing Agriculture
Agriculture is influenced by a variety of factors, including physical factors, human factors, and
economic factors.
Physical factors: Physical factors that influence agriculture include climate, soil, and topography.
Climate factors such as temperature, precipitation, and sunshine can have a significant impact on
crop yields. Soil factors such as fertility and drainage can also affect crop yields. Topographic
factors such as slope and elevation can also influence agriculture.
Human factors: Human factors that influence agriculture include population growth, technology,
and culture. Population growth can lead to increased demand for food, which can put pressure on
agricultural resources. Technology can help farmers to increase crop yields and reduce costs
Economic factor; Modern farming inputs ranges from improved seed, fertilizer, crop protection
chemicals, machinery, irrigation and knowledge. Improved seeds increase farm production.
Fertilizers supply nutrients to the soil. Irrigation enables off-season farming, provides potential for
multiple harvests per year and brings additional land under cultivation. Chemicals such as
pesticides, herbicides, insecticides and fungicides control weed species, harmful insects and plant
diseases that afflict crops. Technical knowledge and machinery enhance labor efficiency and
increase farm production. The adoption of such technologies, techniques, methods and strategies
requires huge resources and investment.
References
Department of Curriculumn and Professional Development (DCPD). (2020). Intermediate Geography.
Thimphu: Ministry of Education.
Food and Agriculture Organization. (2020). 2 Bhutan. Retrieved from 2 Bhutan:
https://www.fao.org/3/ad103e/AD103E02.htm
