Agriculture over the years has aided in the development of civilizations across the globe. Before the large-scale production of crops, humans spent most of their time collecting food by hunting wild animals and eating various plants. According to anthropologists, humans shifted to agricultural practice almost 11,500 years ago, and their life eventually started depending on it. Since then, agriculture has evolved from employing labor to modern machines. Let’s look at the various aspects of agriculture.

What is agriculture?
The process of cultivating the soil, growing crops, and raising livestock is called agriculture. Farming plants and animals for human use and distributing them to marketplaces is the primary purpose of agriculture practice. Most of the food crops and textiles (leather, wool, and cotton) across the planet are produced by the agricultural process.

It is classified based on the type of crop grown, the quantity and intensity of cultivation, the level of mechanization, livestock combinations, and how farm output is dispersed. The production of timber is also considered part of the process. Here are the important types of agriculture:

• Subsistence farming
  This style of farming is for families of small farmers. They employ more labor and less technology in their farming.
• Intensive agriculture
  Rotational grazing is among the best instances of intensive agriculture. Consequently, much of the land’s productivity is concentrated in a small area.
• Shifting cultivation
  It is a type of farming practiced in various parts of Asia, South America, and Africa. The farmers cultivate in one part of the land for a few years and then move on to other areas.
• Pastoralism
  It is also referred to as animal husbandry. Domesticated animals are left on a sizable portion of the land throughout this operation to graze.

Agriculture equipment
Gone are the days when farmers had to cultivate with limited sources. Thanks to the rise of technology, modern farmers now have access to a wide selection of equipment alternatives. The numerous types of agricultural farming equipment available can satisfy the needs of small-scale farmers and even industrial-size farming operations, ranging from sophisticated combine harvesters to straightforward tractors.

Here are a few well-known agricultural equipment used in the process.

• Tractor
  A tractor is a standard tool in agriculture, and it is available in various sizes to accommodate all types of farming operations. Its primary function is to pull farm machinery. The main advantage of contemporary tractors is they can be customized with a wide range of attachments to meet respective farming needs.
• Harvester
  Harvesters are necessary for farmers to harvest their crops efficiently. It converts cereal grains into grain; these enormous pieces of equipment employ a sophisticated combination of gears, blades, belts, and wheels.
• Plows
  A plow is a sizable tractor attachment that carves furrows in the ground with the help of long blades. Plowing is important since it is the first step in the agricultural process, and the penetration of seeds into the ground mainly depends on this.
• Seeders
  Seeders, as the name would suggest, are meant to scatter seeds across vast expanses of ground quickly and efficiently. Mechanical seeders or hand-seeding techniques may be utilized in small farms, but tractor-pulled seeders are now most frequently used on large-scale farms.
• Fertilizer spreader
  They cover a field with fertilizer. While there are fertilizer spreaders that can be operated independently for speedy, uniform fertilization, most farming operations need a tractor-run fertilizer spreader.

There are plenty of agricultural tools available in the market. One can even rent the machinery since the cost and maintenance of heavy equipment are expensive.

Tips to improve agriculture production
Farming can be more productive if one learns how to increase output using limited resources. Tips to increase agriculture productivity are as follows:

• Intercropping
  Growing multiple plants on the same plot in a specific pattern can help farmers diversify their cropping pattern and get better monetary benefits.
• Research
  Governments across the globe must encourage agriculture studies to address a series of issues like the impact of climate change on agriculture; this can reduce the negative impact on farming.
• Educating farmers
  Various agriculture courses can help farmers to adopt evolving technology in their field, such as Plant Science, Food Science, among others.
• Smart water management
  Water management is the best approach to increasing productivity. One can boost production by up to 50% using the sprinkler and drip irrigation system.
• Seed quality
  Better quality seeds are important and have a considerable impact on raising farm productivity. Farmers can approach seed banks before every cropping season and choose them based on their needs.
• Understanding the nitrogen use
  Nitrogen deficiency can hinder plant growth. Therefore, sufficient nitrogen is required for better agricultural production. The usage of nitrogen can boost production by up to 22%.

Farms of future
One can never rule out the importance of agriculture with the increasing population and food consumption. Sustainable agriculture is the key to a better future for humans. Planting better quality seeds, incorporating best agriculture practices, and better pay for agricultural products can be a lifesaver for farmers and consumers.