Introduction to

Agriculture
 Lesson Objectives
At the end of this lesson students should be able to:

1.Define the term agricultural system;

2.Name the different types of farming;

3.Explain the importance of agriculture in Jamaica and

the Caribbean.
 1) What are your
views on
Agriculture?

2) Would you pursue

a career in
agriculture?
Introductory Activity
1. What is
agriculture?
2. Name the two
types of farming
systems.
3.Describe two
practices used in
subsistence farming.
4. Describe
plantation farming.
Agricultural Systems

• An agricultural systems is one that uses

input such as water, soil, seeds and fertilizers
along with human labour and organization
to produce outputs such as fruits,
vegetables, grains and dairy products.
 Types of Farming systems
Peasant or small-scale farming and commercial or large-
scale farming are two different types of farming systems.
Can you identify the farming systems represented by
these images?
Types of Farming systems

Peasant or small-scale commercial farming

is growing crops and rearing animals on a
small-scale using simple and traditional
tools and farming practices.
Some of the produce is consumed by the
farmer and his family while some is sold.
Activity: Can you identify these traditional
farming tools and practice?
 Types of Farming Systems
Commercial arable farming involves the growing of crops on a
large scale mainly for sale to make profit.

The equipment and farming practices are much more modern

as these have access to larger amounts of money
Why is Agriculture important to Jamaica?
 Provide Foreign Exchange

• Agricultural products have been exported

from Jamaica for many decades and have
earned significant amounts of foreign
exchange.

• Traditional exports from Jamaica include

sugarcane, bananas and coffee while non-
traditional exports include yam, ackee and
flowers.

• Foreign exchange earnings from agriculture

in Jamaica in ____-- was US$____________
Provide Employment

• Agriculture provides employment for millions of

persons in the Caribbean.
• Some persons work directly in the industry such as
small farmers, plantation workers, farm managers
and extension officers.
• People who are indirectly employed include
persons who work in agribusiness such as
agrichemicals, farm machinery or are involved with
the marketing of crops
• In 2016 approximately 17 percent of the labour
force in Jamaica was employed in agriculture.
Provides linkages to other industries
• Agriculture produces the raw materials for the food
processing industry.

• Some agricultural produce must be processed first

to convert it to a form that can be used directly as
food or in food production for example sugar cane
converted to sugar.

• Some other types of produce are pressed to

preserve it from decay for example milk, pineapple,
tomatoes, mango, ackee and vegetables.

• The food processing industry also produces juices,

canned vegetables and fruits which are processed
into jams and jellies.
 Contributes to the country’s GDP (Gross
Domestic Product)
• GDP or Gross Domestic Product refers to
the total value of all goods and services
produces within a country each year.

• Agriculture contributed 7 percent to

Jamaica’s GDP IN 2016.

• In addition, agricultural production results in

decreased agricultural imports and a better
balance of trade for Caribbean countries.
 What is agriculture?

Quick Name the two farming systems.

Review
What are the three processes
involved in an agricultural system?
Food Security

• Agricultural development is
critically important to improving
food security and nutrition. Its
roles include increasing the
quantity and diversity of food;
driving economic transformation;
and providing the primary source
of income for many of the world’s
poorest people.
Culminating activity
Let's test your knowledge
1. Describe the two types of
agricultural systems

2. Using appropriate examples,

describe two reasons why
agriculture is important.