Introduction to Environmental Agriculture - ES 105

Introduction to Environmental Agriculture

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

Objectives

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

Agriculture (Latin Origins)

• Ager: Field
• Cultura: Cultivation
• Agriculture: Field or Land Tillage

Agriculture (Definition)

• The science and art of cultivating the soil, including gathering crops and rearing livestock; tillage, husbandry, and farming. (Oxford Dictionary, 1971)
• Art, science, and business of cultivating crops and livestock for economic purposes. Includes domestication and farming of plant and animal species to produce food and fiber products.

Agriculture as an Art

• Embraces knowledge of performing farm operations skillfully.

Agriculture as a Science

• Utilizes technologies developed on scientific principles, including crop breeding, production techniques, crop protection, and economics to maximize yield and profit.

Agriculture as a Business

• Aims for maximum net return through managing land, labor, water, and capital, employing knowledge of various sciences for food, feed, fiber, and fuel.

Importance of Agriculture

• Supports livelihoods through food, habitat, and jobs
• Provides raw materials for food and other products
• Builds strong economies through trade
• Provides raw materials for global economy (lumber, herbs, flavoring agents, etc.) and as a source of fuel (ethanol)
• Impacted by supply chain (ocean freight, rail, trucking)
• Encourages economic development and job creation in various sectors
• Impacts consumer and business markets through interconnected economies (fruits, vegetables, animal feed, etc.)

Branches of Agriculture

• Livestock Production or Animal Husbandry
• Crop Production or Agronomy
• Agricultural Economics
• Agricultural Engineering

Sectors of Agriculture

• Farming
• Fisheries
• Livestock
• Forestry

Different Terminologies in Agriculture

• Agroforestry
• Alley Cropping
• Crop Rotation
• High-Input
• Corporate Farming
• Intercropping
• Interplanting
• Low-Input
• Monoculture
• Organic Farming
• Plantation
• Polyculture
• Subsistence
• Tillage
• Cultivation
• Intensive Farming
• Industrial Herding
• Land Manipulation/Terracing