Introduction to Environmental Agriculture (ES 105)

Study Notes

Introduction to Environmental Agriculture

Course: ES 105 (Environmental Agriculture)
Instructor: Elma B. Clacio
Topic: Basic Concepts of Agriculture & Environment

Objectives

Define agriculture
Determine the importance of agriculture
Identify the different branches and sectors of agriculture
Define basic agricultural terminologies

Agriculture (Latin Roots)

Agr(er) - Field
Cultura - Cultivation
Agriculture - Field or land tillage

Definition of Agriculture

Agriculture is the science and art of cultivating the soil, including gathering crops and raising livestock (Oxford Dictionary, 1971).
Agriculture is also the art, science, and business of cultivating crops and livestock for economic purposes. (Includes domestication and farming of plant and animal species)

Importance of Agriculture

Supporting livelihoods through food, habitat, and jobs
Providing raw materials for food and other products
Building strong economies through trade
Raw materials: lumber, herbs, corn (for ethanol), plant resins used in construction, coatings, and paints
Creating a strong supply chain requires methods, like ocean freight, rail, and trucking; delays impact the global supply chain.
Encouraging economic development because it's tied to other sectors of the economy, supports job creation, and encourages economic development
Countries with strong agricultural sectors experience: employment growth; agriculture productivity growth, and robust agriculture infrastructure
This leads to higher per capita incomes. Improved practices innovate through technology.
Meeting consumer and business market demand by providing essential products like fruits and vegetables
Fruits and vegetables provide fiber, protein, carbs, vitamins, minerals (magnesium, zinc, phosphorus)
Animal feed: fruits, vegetables (hay, straw, and legumes for poultry and livestock)
Natural rubber production: more than 1.4 billion vehicles require rubber tires; Thailand, Indonesia, and Malaysia collectively represent about 70% of global natural rubber production
Biofuels: favorable economics, produced from biomass (corn, soybeans, sugarcane, algae). Reduced greenhouse gas and pollutant emissions, potential increased incomes for farmers.
Important Role in Daily Life: provides essential resources for activities, including getting ready for the day, cooking, travel, medicine, and treatments.
Economic Impact on US Gross Domestic Product: this is from farm production, forestry, fishing activities, textile mills, apparel, food, beverages, and service and manufacturing.

Branches of Agriculture

Livestock Production (Animal Husbandry): raises animals for meat, fiber, milk, eggs, or other products.
- Examples: poultry (raising chickens, ducks, turkeys), swine (raising pigs), nomadic pastoralism.
Crop Production (Agronomy): Cultivation of crops (mostly annuals) under rain fed or irrigation conditions.
- Focuses on soil, climate, planting time/techniques, cultivars, fertilization, weed/disease/insect control, stress factors.
Agricultural Economics: allocation, distribution, and utilization of resources used, agricultural commodities, production, consumption of food. (Developments, and policies affecting countries).
Agricultural Engineering: Designs, construction, and improvement of farming equipment and machinery. (Agricultural infrastructure, pollution control, development of new biofuels from non-food resources)