In a tabular form, list ten differences between subsistence agriculture and commercial agriculture. [10marks]…

Explanation

(a) Difference between subsistence agriculture and commercial agriculture 

Subsistence Agriculture

• Production is mainly for family consumption
• Less capital is required
• Uses family labour/unskilled labour
• Use of local breeds of animals
• Use of local crop varieties
• Hardly use agro-chemicals/Cultural methods are used to control pests and diseases
• Records are rarely kept Use of primitive/local tools
• Poor housing facilities for rearing animals
• Peasant farmers are involved
• Doer not require improved processing facilities
• Does not involve any marketing Uses crude storage facilities
• Yield per unit area is low
• Food crops are produced
• Small area of land is cultivated
• Use of inorganic fertilizers is limited 

Commercial Agriculture 

• Production is mainly for sale
• Huge amount of capital is required
• Skilled/hired labour is employed
• Use of exotic/improved breeds of animals
• Use of improved crop varieties
• Mostly use agro-chemicals 
• Records are kept Mechanized/use of machines
• Modern housing facilities for rearing animals
• Farmers involved may be rich
• Requires improved processing facilities
• Requires organised market Uses modern storage facilities
• Yield per unit area is high
• Cash crops are produced
• Large area of land may be cultivated
• Frequent use of inorganic fertilizers 

(b) Advantages and Disadvantages of sources of farm power
 (i) Wind :
Advantages  
– Running cost is low 
– Wind is safe to use 
-Wind is a renewable source of energy 
– Wind power is environmentally friendly 

Disadvantages 
-Wind energy converters work only during windy period and as such lie idle during less windy months/ Excessive variation in wind regimes can adversely affect the cost effectiveness of wind energy 
-Too weak a wind force cannot be used for any work Success in exploitation of wind energy highly depends 
on the specific site 
– Wind mills occupy a large portion of land 
– Requires high technical expertise 
– Initial cost may be high

(ii) Internal Combustion Engine:

Advantages  
– It is versatile/can be used for many farm operations 
– Efficient source of power 
-Not weather dependent 

Disadvantages  
-A high capital investment is required 
– It requires specialized skills in its operation and maintenance 
– In developing countries, there is inadequate spare parts for machines 
-It contributes to the degradation of the environment/ It Exhaust gases pollute the environment
-Use is subject to to vagaries of fuel shortage

(iii) Electricity
Advantages:
-A very efficient source of farm Power 
-it is versatile, with many valued uses  
– It is a clean source of power •
-A large amount of energy can be supplied
– It is a fairly reliable source of farm Power 

Disadvantages
-High capital outlay to set up
– Very dangerous to operate 
– In developing countries, supply cannot be guaranteed at all time 
-Needs technical know-how ‘
-Maintenance cost is high