2. History of Agriculture

 Ancient History of Agriculture:

       Agriculture was first adopted in Egypt by 7000 BCE, and in the Indian subcontinent, wheat and barley were farmed in Mehrgarh, Balochistan. By 6000 BCE, ancient agriculture had also begun on the banks of the Nile, where rice was considered a primary crop alongside wheat. In China and Indonesia, crops such as taro, mung, and azuki were grown as preliminary and main crops. However, due to improper management of water distribution, these crops were only grown near the banks of rivers and canals. These crops were favored because they contain large quantities of carbohydrates and essential proteins. The adoption of these new farming and fishing methods resulted in a boom in human civilization.

    According to archaeological evidence, the spread of agriculture was also aided by the migration of farming communities from the tropical Sahara region around 6,500 years ago. By this time, the Sumerians had already developed core agricultural techniques such as large-scale cultivation of land, mono-cropping, organized irrigation, and the use of specialized labor forces. These techniques were used along the waterway known today as the Shatt al-Arab, which stretches from the Persian Gulf delta to the confluence of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. In earlier times, crops were grown mainly for personal consumption, but as time passed, many countries began growing crops for trade purposes and started using a barter system for exchange.

Simple Definition of Agriculture: 

    Agriculture is the practice of cultivating plants and animals to produce various essential goods such as food, animal feed, fiber, fuel, and more. 

   Before the development of agriculture, humans were primarily hunters and gatherers, relying on natural resources for survival. However, as humans began to understand the importance of soil conservation and cultivation, they were able to form settled communities and develop agriculture as a way of life. This led to the formation of tribes and clans that were able to stay in one place and pass on their knowledge of farming from one generation to the next. With the rise of agriculture, cities began to emerge, and trade relationships between them became stronger. As a result, human society began to form and relationships between individuals and groups became more complex. 

Middle age of agriculture: 

    During the Middle Ages, farmers in North Africa and the Near East developed and disseminated agricultural technologies including irrigation systems based on hydraulic and hydrostatic principles, the use of machines such as water wheels or norias, and the use of water-raising machines, dams, and reservoirs. At that time formation of moldboard plows by the Chinese is the main contribution to them. 

Re-birth to present day:

    After the year 1492, a global exchange of crops and livestock occurred, resulting in the introduction of new crops like tobacco, potatoes, and coffee. These introductions caused a growth in the human population. In the early 1800s, the production of crops increased rapidly due to the proper selection of varieties and cultivars. During this time, mechanized agriculture developed and tractors were invented. This invention helped reduce the amount of working time required. In the early twentieth century, many farms were established in the United States, Germany, Argentina, and other countries.

    Throughout history, the increase in agricultural productivity has often been challenged by population growth, soil degradation, droughts, and other factors that threatened the food supply, with the poorest members of society bearing the brunt of famine.

When agricultural technology was not advanced, people exploited their soil, leading to the depletion of essential nutrients. In 1798, economist Thomas Malthus predicted that unchecked population growth would lead to a scarcity of food, resulting in an imbalance in the human population. However, Malthus also believed that scientific innovations in agriculture would ultimately lead to large-scale food production.

    Irrigation, crop rotation, and fertilizers were initially introduced after the Neolithic Revolution and continued to advance in the past two centuries, particularly with the British Agricultural Revolution. The use of machinery, synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, and selective breeding has greatly increased productivity in agriculture in developed nations since 1900, and to a lesser extent, in developing countries. The development of the Haber-Bosch process enabled the large-scale synthesis of ammonium nitrate fertilizer, leading to significant growth in crop yields.

British Agricultural Revolution: 

    Between the 17th and 19th centuries, Britain experienced a dramatic increase in agricultural productivity known as the British Agricultural Revolution. This "revolution" consisted of a variety of improvements to agricultural methods which more or less took place simultaneously. Farmers developed new methods of crop rotation, began cultivating land that had been marshy or forested, and planted new crops such as the turnip. 

    Advancements in agricultural technology have been ongoing, with innovations such as improved plows, farming tools, and the mechanized combine harvester being developed over time. The introduction of the horse-drawn plow in the early 1900s spurred the growth of more machinery on the farm. As the global population has grown from 1.6 billion in 1900 to 7 billion in 2011, agricultural productivity has also increased significantly. In 2012, global food production generated enough calories to feed the entire population, yet hunger continues to be a global crisis due to the unequal distribution of food resources and significant waste of the world’s food supply. In addition, an estimated 1.6 billion people still suffer from malnourishment.

Innovations in this Field:

     Innovations in food production and distribution have played a crucial role in meeting the food demands of a growing population. Crops such as corn, sweet potatoes, and cassava, originally from the Americas, have spread worldwide and their high nutrient content has helped prevent malnutrition and support population growth. Over the 18th century, advances in transportation, including expanded railways, shipping canals, and new grain storage and transport machinery, facilitated the growth of the U.S. as a major exporter of wheat and corn, helping to meet food demands in Europe during times of scarcity. The development of refrigerated transport has also allowed farmers to ship perishable food over greater distances, enabling more efficient and widespread distribution of food.

    Meanwhile, the development of hybrid seed, and particularly hybrid corn, revolutionized agriculture. Hybrids improve the results of planting and often produce plants and fruits that are hardier and more uniform. Hybrid seeds contributed to the increased agricultural output of the second half of the 20th century.

    Agriculture is a very vast field and we cannot define it in a single topic. so the next topic is about their branches and also their importance.  

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