Extensive farming in india

Published on: 15-Apr-2025

Updated on: 15-Apr-2025

Editorial Editorial

Understanding the concept of extensive farming

Key characteristics of extensive farming
Comparison between extensive farming and intensive farming
Advantages of extensive farming

If we talk about agriculture then we will get to know it's not just about farming, crops and cultivation, it is something beyond that which has countless varieties, components , elements, characteristics and types.

If we go back to the neolithic age where the world shifted from hunting and gathering to agricultural practices in 8000 BCE, we will find that extensive farming, as a practice, began to take shape alongside the development of agriculture itself.

This transition changes the lifestyle of nomadic hunter-gatherer societies to settled agricultural communities.

Extensive farming originated with the advent of agriculture and evolving as societies transitioned to settled farming practices that utilized large land areas for crop cultivation and livestock rearing. Let's understand deeply about extensive farming:

Understanding the concept of extensive farming

Extensive farming is a method that uses large machines, chemical fertilizers, and pesticides. It requires a lot of money and is done on large areas of land with few people.

This type of farming is common in places like Argentina, Australia, parts of the USA, Canada, Ukraine, and Russia, where there is a lot of farmland and a low population. It uses less labor, fertilizer, and capital compared to the amount of land being farmed

It corresponds to precision farming as this also requires a lot of machinery involved from ploughing to harvesting. This includes the work of ploughing, ground preparing, seeding, manuring, spraying insecticides, and even harvesting to cooperate with the cultivation process and ironically also relies heavily on natural resources, such as soil fertility, climate, and water availability, leading to relatively low crop yields per unit area.

It contrasts with intensive farming, which employs higher inputs to achieve greater yields on smaller plots. Common crops in extensive farming include wheat, corn, and livestock grazing.

Also Read: Terrace farming in India

Key characteristics of extensive farming

There are several characteristics of extensive farming that help others to get guidance for farming to practise on the field.

Farmlands are extensive, covering hundreds of hectares.
There are few people living in these areas, leading to a shortage of labor, so farming relies mainly on machines and uses small amounts of labor, fertilizers, and capital compared to the land area.
Extensive farming is capital-intensive, needing skilled workers, chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and advanced agricultural machinery.
High wages for agricultural labor are due to the limited supply of workers.
Farmers choose crops that are best suited for the local environment. Highly mechanized with machines involved from plowing to harvesting
While the yield per hectare is low, the overall production per person is high.
This type of farming is market-oriented, with crop selection influenced by market demand, sometimes even international markets.

Comparison between extensive farming and intensive farming

There are major differences between Extensive farming and intensive farming in terms of agricultural practices, each with unique characteristics, advantages, and disadvantages. Here’s a comparison based on various parameters:

*Aspects*		*Extensive farming*	*Intensive farming*
*Definition*	A farming technique characterized by low levels of labor and inputs relative to the size of the land farmed.			Intensive farming refers to using high levels of labor, capital, and chemical inputs, for maximizing the outputs
*Primary objective*	The primary objective of this farming is to focus on sustainability by using the natural resources of large land areas with minimal inputs. It aims to produce a good overall yield while maintaining lower production costs and reducing environmental impact			The main objective of this farming method is to maximize output from a minimal area. This involves employing high levels of labor, capital, and inputs like fertilizers to achieve the highest possible yield per unit of land
*Us of chemicals*	For maintaining the soil health and promoting sustainable farming this farming method uses natural soil fertility fertilizers such as bio compost and manures and organic practices.			In this farming, farmers heavily rely on chemical based fertilizers, pesticides, weed controllers and herbicides to maximize crop yields.
*Capital investment*	This farming requires Variable capital investment that is generally lower than intensive farming but can vary based on scale and type.			This farming relies on substantial capital investment for technology, machinery, and inputs.
*Land requirement*	Requires large tracts of land to be effective, often hundreds of hectares.			Requires smaller land areas to maximize output efficiently.
*Animal farming*	Extensive farming commonly practised animals grazing freely over large areas with minimal supervision.			Intensive farming is Less prevalent that often involves confined animal feeding operations (CAFOs).
*Ecological impact*	It has a lower ecological impact that tends to promote biodiversity and sustainable practices.			It has a higher ecological footprint due to chemical usage and potential soil degradation.
*Yield per unit*	Low; produces less yield per hectare but can achieve high total production due to size.			High; designed to maximize output per hectare through intensive management practices.
*Frequency of harvesting*	Usually one harvest per year, depending on the crop type and growing conditions.			Multiple harvests per year are common due to fast-growing varieties and intensive care.
*location*	Extensive farming is mostly practiced in remote areas where land is inexpensive but transportation costs can be higher.			Intensive is generally practised in near urban centers to reduce transportation costs and meet local demand.

Also Read: Watermelon Farming in India: Varieties, Guide & Benefits

Advantages of extensive farming

There are several benefits of practicing extensive farming because of following reasons

It requires a low labour cost per unit area because it often involves larger tracts of land that can be managed with fewer workers, especially in flat terrains.
It offers low cost on production or cultivation of crops due to reduced labor and input requirements, leading to higher marginal profits for farmers.
Animals are typically raised in more natural environments with more space, which improves their welfare compared to intensive farming systems where animals are often confined.
This farming method does not rely on chemicals and fertilisers as they depend on natural resources such as compost and bio manures for the productivity and avoid resulting in lower environmental pollution and a healthier ecosystem.
Livestock raised in extensive systems often produce higher quality meat due to natural grazing practices, which can appeal to health-conscious consumers.