What is agricultural transition?
Since this is not my area of expertise, I searched Google under the key words "agricultural transition" to get these possible sources:
http://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=agricultural+transition&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8
In the future, you can find the information you desire more quickly, if you use appropriate key words to do your own search. Also see http://hanlib.sou.edu/searchtools/.
Agricultural transition refers to the process through which a society or region shifts from a predominantly subsistence-based agricultural system to a more commercial and market-oriented one. It involves changes in farming practices, land use patterns, agricultural technologies, and the overall structure of the agricultural sector.
To understand agricultural transition in more detail, you can follow these steps:
1. Study historical context: Research the socio-economic and environmental factors that trigger agricultural transitions, such as population growth, urbanization, technological advancements, or changes in trade patterns.
2. Identify key characteristics: Recognize the key features that distinguish traditional subsistence agriculture from modern commercial agriculture. For example, subsistence agriculture often involves small-scale production, diversified crops, minimal use of external inputs like fertilizers and machinery, and reliance on family labor. Commercial agriculture, on the other hand, emphasizes larger scale production, specialization in cash crops, use of advanced technologies and machinery, and integration into national or global markets.
3. Explore driving forces: Investigate the driving forces behind agricultural transition. These may include changes in consumer demand for certain products, government policies and support, access to capital and credit, availability of infrastructure and markets, or the influence of globalization and international trade.
4. Analyze case studies: Examine specific examples of agricultural transitions in different parts of the world. Understand the challenges, opportunities, and outcomes associated with these transitions. For instance, you can study the Green Revolution in India, which involved the adoption of high-yielding varieties of crops and modern farming techniques, leading to increased agricultural productivity and food security.
5. Consider implications: Assess the social, economic, and environmental implications of agricultural transition. While it may bring benefits like increased agricultural productivity, income generation, and food availability, it can also have negative consequences such as land degradation, loss of biodiversity, and inequitable distribution of benefits among farmers.
By following these steps, you can gain a comprehensive understanding of agricultural transition and its significance in transforming rural economies and food systems.