Agriculture is an important source of livelihood for people in most parts of the world.
It involves laborious work, yet it contributes to food security and the nation’s health.
Before the Industrial Revolution, agriculture was the primary source of the economy.
Despite the rise of many commercial options, many still rely on agriculture for their income.
It is a nature-friendly and peaceful way of making a living.
Farming is one of the honest sources of income. It has been a very reliable source of livelihood for mankind for many centuries. Many people from developing nations rely on agriculture for their livelihood.
Some people involved in other businesses or jobs still have agriculture as a side business.
Agriculture is not limited to cultivation and farming alone. It also extends to dairy, poultry, fisheries, sericulture, beekeeping (honey insects), etc.
These are also dependent on agricultural cultivation in some way or another. Farming becomes more profitable when combined with these alternative methods.
Why is Agriculture important to humans?
Agriculture supplies food, clothing, medicine, and employment worldwide. It provides food security to the human population.
Importance of agriculture in the Food supply
Agriculture is the primary source of food worldwide. All the major food substances, viz., carbohydrates, proteins, and oils, are produced by agriculture.
Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates supply energy to all humans and animals—the grains like wheat, rice, barley, and potatoes growing on farms are the source of these carbs.
Proteins
Proteins are useful to build our bodies. They are supplied in grams, along with other leguminous products obtained through agriculture. These products include beans and pulses such as black gram, Bengal gram, and green gram.
Other sources of protein, like meat, fish, and dairy, also rely on agriculture. Protein from vegetarian sources is cheap and healthy, without the risk of infection. So people rely on agricultural protein for their daily needs.
Oils and fats
Fats & oils are important for providing energy, body structure, and heat. These can be obtained from agriculture through the cultivation of sunflower, groundnut, mustard, sesame, etc.
Fruits
Fruits provide natural, intact food because they do not require cooking. They are digestible for kids, older adults, and sick people. Grapefruits are also used for producing wine.
Flowers
Flowers are used for decoration and ceremonial purposes. Also, they are a rich source of scent and dye material.
Importance of agriculture for medicine
Many medicinal drugs are obtained from agriculture. They are a regular source of some important drugs like
Enzymes
Enzymes are widely used in medicine for various disease conditions.
For example, the enzyme papain is obtained from the papaya fruit.
This Papain is used as a natural enzyme. It is used as a substitute for one of the digestive enzymes for indigestion.
Especially useful for the elderly and the ill. This papain is obtained on a large scale by papaya cultivation.
Alkaloids
Many alkaloids are used as medicine. Opium alkaloids like morphine relieve severe pain, cough, and loss of motion.
They are obtained by growing opium poppy plants on farms.
Similarly, alkaloids such as hyoscine, ephedrine, and physostigmine are obtained from agricultural sources.
Laxatives
- Isapghol, used for mild constipation treatment, is obtained by cultivation
Glycosides
These constitute some important medicinal principles. Examples include
- Digitalis is a cardiac glycoside used to treat heart failure.
- Senna, another glycoside, is used to treat constipation.
Importance of agriculture for clothing
Agriculture is the largest source of cloth material. This clothing material is obtained from cotton. This cotton is also used to make jeans, bedding, etc.
Further, jute and other fibers are used to make gunny bags.
Although synthetic polymer materials are used to make clothes, agricultural fiber meets the great demand for clothing. Further, they are safe for use, and disposal is nature-friendly.
Besides the farm, animals like sheep and cattle are beneficial. Sheep’s hair is wool, which is used to produce sweaters and warm clothing. At the same time, cattle hide is used to produce leather, which is then made into belts, wallets, etc.
Silk is another industry in which silkworms are reared to produce silk. This silk yields very fine cloth and is expensive.
Importance of agriculture in employment
In rural areas, agriculture is one of the biggest sources of employment. The employment can be
Direct employment
Agriculture provides direct employment for farmers and daily wage workers. Further, as a technician for farm machines like tractors, harvesters, farm cutting machines, etc.
Indirect employment
Besides direct, there is scope for indirect employment in the form of
Scientists in seed production, farm machinery manufacturing, and pesticide and fertilizer manufacturing (nitrogen).
Academicians: There is also scope in academics for teaching and scientific jobs.
It is not only the scope of a job for men but also for women. As per 2012 data, 1 million women work in agriculture in the United States. This contributes to $12.9 billion in agricultural sales as per USDA.
Check out List of Agriculture Jobs
Importance of agriculture for the government. revenue
Agriculture is the biggest source of national income for governments in most countries.
Until the recent past, including the USA, many countries relied on agricultural exports to sustain economic growth.
If there is no rain, it will significantly affect their economy due to low agricultural yields. This indicates the extent of agriculture’s revenue contribution.
Many nations do not levy taxes on farmers’ income. But governments derive sufficient revenue from taxes. These take the form of land taxes and import & export duties.
Further, income tax on middlemen involved in the sale of farm products derives much revenue. When there is surplus, the governments also store agricultural products.
These are exported at high prices when there is demand in the international market. Hence, governments invest in economic agriculture plans. The aim is to reduce input costs through natural farming methods and increase profits.
Importance of Agriculture in Business
Many farming-related businesses cannot make a profit without agriculture.
a) Biotechnology
To produce high-yielding, disease-resistant crops.
b) Insurance companies, banks: To enhance investment and safeguard against loss.
c) Farm equipment
Industries also manufacture farm equipment like tractors, weeders, and sowing machines using iron and other metals.
d) Chemical industries
These manufacture fertilizers and also pesticides.
From the above, we can understand the importance of agriculture in daily life and also in economic development.
For Society
Agriculture has been the main source of revenue since the start of human civilization.
Unlike other sources, it requires no formal education or specific expertise. It can be adopted by almost anyone willing to do physical work.
It also involves less interaction and business among individuals, which reduces the chances of conflict and politics.
If the Agricultural economy is sufficient, there is little stress among people. Since it involves physical work, it contributes to both physical and mental health.