FORM 2 UNIT ONE COMPREHENSION.

COMPREHENSION ON AGRICULTURE

In the beginning of human history, and for many years that followed, humans
were hunter-gatherers, which means they hunted animals for survival and
gathered food from existing plants. People lived a nomadic lifestyle, moving from
place to place throughout the year, following the food supply during the changing
seasons.
However, as the ice age and glaciers covering part of the earth began to melt and
retreat, plant life patterns and the areas where growth of plants changed as well.
The humans would not need to travel as often because there were plants available
for their food supply. The hunter-gatherer societies began to learn about the crops
which grew at the different times and places each year.
They could now stay in one place for several years to take advantage of the food
sources and cordon off wild crop areas that had the most abundant resources. Most
likely, when moving, they would also take herds of livestock using them for milk,
meat, fur, and other resources. The food they stored would often need to last for the
next season.
The origin of farming dates to around 10,000 years ago somewhere in the Indus
Valley, part of the north-western region of South Asia. A separate development
may have taken place in China along the Yangtze River. Humans first domesticated
crops and later livestock.
During early civilization, around 5,000 BC, agricultural science and technology
was further developed. The Sumerian civilization of the Middle East and other early
civilizations knew there was a need for a specialized agricultural workforce for the
survival of societies. During this period, irrigation systems were developed, used as
a system for watering plants. The focus on agriculture led to the development of the
first cities.
The first cities then led to other aspects of society, such as the first written laws,
religious practices, social attitudes, and legal codes. Complex societies, like Ancient
Egypt, arose before the rise of the Greek civilization, and it was due to their
agricultural system.
In Egypt, the Nile River relied heavily on the seasons throughout each year. The
river flooded its banks and part of the surrounding countryside, which was
called The Inundation. Nearly all aspects of life in Egypt centered around the Nile
River, especially their religious structure. The river was life-giving in a small area of
the country because Egypt was mostly a desert region.
The Romans and Greeks borrowed much of their agricultural knowledge from the
civilizations they had contact, such as those of the ancient Near East such
as Mesopotamia, but through the Sumerians. Large-scale animal and plant
agriculture began in the Roman Republic. It became more efficient and could sustain
the empire's large cities. It became a necessary industry for human survival.
The innovation continued between early and modern civilization. The Arab
Agricultural Revolution began due to the diversity of
local topographies (landscapes). Crops were grown in the Middle East and Indus
Valley and was desired by European societies. It later acted as a trade bridge
between the Far East and Europe.
 Europe's agricultural history began during the 11th century when the Church
became major landholders. Technological advances also took place such as cross-
breeding in animal livestock, and other systems of organization. Various remnants of
the agricultural systems have been found in Europe. The final modern agricultural
development began in the 16th century when crop rotation was begun, where
increased yields of crops would take place by switching land use every year. The
method was perfected during the 16th century.
Finally, in America, modern agricultural practices were not present until the
arrival of European colonists, though the Native Americans did have some limited
agricultural practices, but it was not the same across all tribes. It most likely began
between 2500 and 2000 BC.

EXERCISE

1) Which of the following best describes hunter-gatherers?

A: Early humans who hunted animals and then gathered the food following the hunt

B: Early humans who hunted animals and collected plants for their food supply

C: Early humans who hunted for areas to grow crops and gathered the food

D: Early humans who hunted and gathered animals

2) Which of the following is the name of the lifestyle practiced by early humans?

A: Hunter

B: Gatherer

C: Nomadic

D: All the above

3) Approximately, the origin of farming dates back how many number of years?

A: 10,000 years ago

B: 5,000 years ago

C: 7,000 years ago

D: 2,000 years ago

4) Which of the following rivers was all aspects of life centered in Ancient Egypt?

A: Egyptian River

B: Arab River

C: Indus River

D: Nile River

5) Which of the following words is best defined as a topography?

A: Landscape

B: Mountain
C: Valley

D: River

6) In which of the following centuries did crop rotation begin?

A: 14th

B: 15th

C: 16th

D: 17th

Prepared by Mw. Khalif