10 Areas of Agriculture and their Importance are listed and discussed in this article. We hope you find this informative.

Areas of Agriculture and their Importance

Read Also: Factors of Agricultural Production

Agriculture has a lot to do with the planting of crops and rearing animals for man’s use and those who intend to study agriculture must know all there is to know about agriculture; these include how plants and animals grow and develop, what they eat, how they reproduce, the conditions where they grow better and a lot of other very important areas of agriculture.

The general name used in agriculture for the plant is ‘Crops’ while ‘Livestock’ is used for animals that are reared by farmers.

Areas of Agriculture

The study of agriculture also involves studying other subjects which are vital for the proper understanding of how crops and animals grow properly. Hence, Agriculture can be subdivided into the following broad areas:

Soil Science

Agriculture is incomplete when the soil is out of it. Whether a farmer wants to concentrate on the planting of crops or rearing animals, he needs to fully understand the soil.

Different types of soil are suitable for the growth of different types of crops. Some crops grow very well on a particular type of soil but do not do very well on other types of soil.

Some other crops need the soil to be prepared especially before they can grow well while others do not. It is therefore very important for agriculturists to study the nature, types, and properties that are suitable for different types of crops.

Read Also: Forms of Agriculture

Crop Science

It is not enough to understand the soil, a good farmer needs to understand the crop too. Farmers need to know the types of crops they are planting, how they grow, what is expected of the crop or the farmer during the planting process, and a lot of other necessary factors.

Hence, there is a need for a farmer to be acquainted with the structure of crops and how to take care of them as they grow, mature, and get ready for the process of harvest.

Animal Science

In the previous point, we looked at crop science. Just as it is important for farmers to know about the crops they cultivate, it is important that they equally look at the animals they rear.

Not all animals are expected to be exposed to the same conditions when being reared or kept, some of them, just like the crops need very special attention above others, hence the farmer needs to put these things into check.

Veterinary Medicine

This is quite synonymous with being a Medical doctor. Veterinary medicine is a special branch of agriculture that is concerned with the study of the diseases and pests of the animals that are kept and raised on the farmland (livestock).

The livestock on the farm also gets dick just like humans and when they do, they need medical attention else, they may die or retard in growth.

Those who are experts in treating sick animals are generally referred to as ‘Veterinarians’. Their work also extends to the treating of pets such as cats, dogs, pigeons, and horses.

Read Also: Employment Opportunities in Agriculture

Horticulture

This is the science of growing fruits, vegetables, and other ornamental crops. Because this form of agriculture deals mainly with plants, it is a special kind of crop science. Those who have a specialty in growing horticultural plants are referred to as horticulturists

Forestry

This is an area of agriculture that deals with the growth of trees, especially the ones that grow in the forest so that they can provide us with timber and non-timber products; this area of agriculture also sheds light on the lifestyle of some of the animals that live in the forests such as; deer, monkeys, elephants, buffaloes, lions, and zebras.

Fisheries

This area is mainly concerned with the study of fish, how they are caught from the rivers, seas, and lakes, and also how they are produced from artificially constructed ponds. Fishery does not, however, focus on fish but also on other aquatic animals.

Economics

The ultimate of everything done on a commercial farm is for-profit and where profit is mentioned, money is inevitable.

The area of agricultural economics has to do with understanding and managing the finances that come in and out of the farm.

Read Also: Agricultural Registers and their meanings

Agricultural Extension

This area is mainly concerned with helping and advancing the course of the farmers to make more money both for themselves and other farmers by constantly improving upon the available to enhance the development of agricultural practices and by doing this, a farmer will naturally produce better crops and livestock from his farm.

Farm Mechanism

Sometimes referred to as Agricultural Engineering, their areas of agriculture cover the loads and machinery used in agricultural activities, how they work, and what to do when they develop a fault or the other.

You must have realized how wide Agriculture is and virtually, it is an art and also a science. Should more persons get involved in the different areas of agriculture in the country, there will be more than enough food and meat for the country.