Agriculture

Quick Facts: Who was Agriculture?

Subject:

Agriculture

Known for:

The practice of cultivating soil and raising crops and livestock for sustenance.

Verified Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

Agriculture is the practice of cultivating the soil, planting, raising, and harvesting both food and non-food crops, as well as livestock production. Broader definitions also include forestry and aquaculture. Agriculture was a key factor in the rise of sedentary human civilization, whereby farming of domesticated plants and animals created food surpluses that enabled people to live in the cities. While humans started gathering grains at least 105,000 years ago, nascent farmers only began planting them around 11,500 years ago.

Career & Major Achievements

Sheep, goats, pigs, and cattle were domesticated around 10,000 years ago. Plants were independently cultivated in at least 11 regions of the world. In the 20th century, industrial agriculture based on large-scale monocultures came to dominate agricultural output.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

As of 2021, small farms, of which the vast majority are one hectare (about 2.5 acres) or smaller, produce about one-third of the world's food. Moreover, five of every six farms in the world consist of fewer than 2 hectares (4.9 acres) and take up only around 12% of all agricultural land. In terms of total land use, large farms are dominant.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 2021: 2021 Milestone — As of 2021, small farms, of which the vast majority are one hectare (about 2.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Agriculture

True or False: “True or false: The initial cultivation of domesticated plants and animals created food surpluses, which was the key factor enabling the rise of sedentary human civilization.”

Answer (TRUE ⭕): The creation of reliable food surpluses through farming was the primary economic and demographic driver that allowed human populations to settle permanently in cities.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Aaron Beck — Historical peer (Died in 2021) (2021): Father of Cognitive Therapy and CBT, revolutionizing psychiatric treatment.
• Abdelaziz Bouteflika — Historical peer (Died in 2021) (2021): Algerian politician who served as the seventh President of Algeria from 1999 to 2019.
• Agriculture in ancient Rome — Chrono-Wiki Encyclopedia Entry: Overview of farming techniques, staple crops, and agricultural life across ancient Roman civilization.
• Agriculture in Mesoamerica — Chrono-Wiki Encyclopedia Entry: The development of agriculture in Mesoamerica from nomadic hunting to settled farming.
• Agriculture in the Middle Ages — Chrono-Wiki Encyclopedia Entry: Farming practices, crops, and society in Europe from 476 CE to approximately 1500 CE.
• Agrippa d'Aubigné — Chrono-Wiki Encyclopedia Entry: Master French poet, soldier, and propagandist, best known for Les Tragiques.

Frequently Asked Questions about Agriculture