Demo
It deals with how much inputs are invested in agriculture and outputs obtained from the agriculture or farming business. It is concerned with the farming business, that is whether it is making profit or loss. Agricultural engineering deals with the care and design of farm machinery, tools, farm buildings, water supplies and irrigation. It is the science that deals with the growing of crops effectively and profitably while conserving natural resources and protecting the environment. It is the management of soil and growing of crops. It is the breeding and caring of animals for special purposes which are considered to be beneficial to humans. For example breeding cattle for meat and milk. Horticulture is the growing of vegetables, fruits and ornamental plants. Ornamental plants are grown for decorative purposes and landscaping, for example flowers and jacaranda trees. The agriculture sector provides food for families in our country. Agriculture also provides stock feed or fodder for animals. Agriculture ensures that a nation has food security in order to reduce starvation. Food security prevents malnutrition that has traditionally been believed to be one of the major problems faced by developing countries. Malnutrition is a condition that results from eating a diet in which nutrients are either lacking or are too much leading to health problems. Development in agriculture has also led to generation of income. Examples of produce from agriculture are vegetables, fruits, milk, meat and eggs. Agriculture is the backbone of Zimbabwe's economy, especially for rural people who derive their livelihood from agriculture. It provides employment for about 60-70 per cent of the population. It directly contributes about 15-19 per cent to annual gross domestic product (GDP), depending on the rainfall patterns. It is generally accepted that when agriculture performs poorly, the rest of the economy suffers. Agriculture leads to generation of foreign currency when its products are sold to other countries. Agricultural commodities such as tobacco, seeds, cotton, tea and coffee increase exports of a country. The main source of raw materials to other industries is agriculture. Many other industries such as milling, fabric, edible and non-edible oils, retailing of products, marketing use agricultural products in their business. It is the role of those involved in agriculture to conserve natural resources through proper management of agricultural practices. Conservation helps to preserve natural resources such as soil, water, wildlife and air for present and future generations. Agriculture involves growing of crops and rearing of animals for family consumption and profit making. Agriculture has five branches namely; agricultural engineering, agricultural economics, animal husbandry, horticulture and agronomy. It plays a positive role in the improvement of the economy. Agriculture is also a source of food and raw materials to industries.IMPORTANCE OF AGRICULTURE
By the end of the subtopic learners should be able to:
Agriculture
a. Agricultural Economics
b. Agricultural Engineering
c. Agronomy
d. Animal Husbandry
e. Horticulture
Roles of Agriculture
a. Supply food for people and feed for animals
b. Source of income
c. Create employment opportunities
d. Foreign currency generation
e. Source of raw materials
f. Conserving natural resources
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