Agricultural practices and land-use are largely dependent on economic factors, including where subsistence or commercial practices exist depending on the region and the practice of intensive or extensive farming based on land costs.
Regions of Agricultural Production
Agricultural production regions are areas of the world that are characterized by high levels of agricultural activity. These regions typically have the right combination of climate, soil, and water resources to support the growth of crops and livestock. Some of the major agricultural production regions of the world include:
- The Midwest United States: This region is known for its fertile soil and is a major producer of crops such as corn, wheat, and soybeans.
- The Prairie Provinces of Canada: This region has a temperate climate and is a major producer of wheat, canola, and other grains.
- The Yangtze River Valley in China: This region has a humid, subtropical climate and is a major producer of rice, wheat, and other crops.
- The Po Valley in Italy: This region has a Mediterranean climate and is a major producer of wheat, rice, and other grains.
- The Pampas in Argentina: This region has a temperate climate and is a major producer of wheat, corn, and soybeans.
- The Midwest and Great Plains regions of Brazil: This region has a tropical climate and is a major producer of soybeans, corn, and other crops.
Types of Farming
Subsistence Farming
Subsistence farming tends to occur in LDCs (less developed countries), where farmers tend to focus on producing food for themselves rather than for profit. They grow crops and raise animals to provide food for themselves and their family in order to survive and aren’t intended to be sold in markets.
Here is an example of subsistence farming:
In rural Nepal, a family of five relies on their small plot of land to grow rice, wheat, and vegetables. They have a few goats and chickens, which provide milk and eggs for the family. The family works hard to grow enough food to feed themselves and to have a little left over to sell at the local market. They do not have access to irrigation, so they rely on the monsoon rains to water their crops. They also use traditional farming techniques, such as terracing and composting, to make the most of their limited resources. The family's farm provides them with a basic level of food security, but they do not have the resources to diversify their crops or to expand their farm.
Commercial Farming
Commercial farming is a type of agriculture that is focused on producing crops or livestock for sale in the market. Commercial farmers typically grow a wide range of crops or raise a variety of livestock, and use modern techniques and technologies to increase efficiency and maximize profits.
Commercial farming is distinguished from small-scale or subsistence farming, in which farmers grow crops or raise livestock primarily for their own consumption or for sale to local markets. Commercial farmers often operate on a larger scale and may sell their products to markets both within and outside their local region.
Commercial farming can have both positive and negative impacts on the environment, local communities, and the global food system. On the one hand, it can help to increase food production and contribute to economic development. It can also lead to environmental degradation, such as soil erosion and water pollution, and may contribute to the displacement of small farmers in favor of larger, more mechanized operations.
Here is an example of commercial farming:
In the United States, a large farm in California grows almonds, a lucrative cash crop. The farm has access to irrigation and uses advanced farming techniques, such as precision farming and pest control, to maximize yield. The farm also has a team of workers who are responsible for planting, pruning, and harvesting the trees. The almonds are then packaged and shipped to markets around the world. The farm generates a significant profit, which is used to reinvest in the business and to pay the workers. The farm's owners also have the resources to diversify their crops and to invest in new ventures, such as processing and marketing.
Monocropping/Monoculture
Monocropping, also known as monoculture, is the practice of growing a single crop species over a large area. This can be done for a variety of reasons, including to maximize efficiency and profits, or to take advantage of specific soil or climatic conditions.
Monoculture can have some benefits, such as increased efficiency and productivity, and reduced costs for farmers. However, it can also have negative impacts on the environment and the local ecosystem. For example, monoculture can lead to soil degradation and erosion, as the same type of crop is grown in the same soil year after year without being rotated with other crops. Monoculture can also make crops more vulnerable to pests and diseases, as there is a lack of biodiversity in the field.
To mitigate the negative impacts of monoculture, some farmers have adopted practices such as crop rotation, in which different crops are grown in the same field in different years, or intercropping, in which multiple crops are grown together in the same field. These practices can help to improve soil health and reduce the risk of pests and diseases.
Some examples of monoculture crops include:
- Corn: In many parts of the world, corn is grown as a monoculture crop, particularly in the United States, where it is the most widely produced crop.
- Wheat: Wheat is often grown as a monoculture crop in regions with temperate climates, such as the Prairie Provinces of Canada and the Midwest United States.
- Soybeans: Soybeans are commonly grown as a monoculture crop in Brazil and the United States, particularly in the Midwest.
- Rice: Rice is often grown as a monoculture crop in parts of Asia, particularly in the Yangtze River Valley of China and the Mekong Delta of Vietnam.
- Cotton: Cotton is often grown as a monoculture crop in parts of the United States, such as the Southwest, as well as in countries such as India, China, and Pakistan.
- Palm oil: Palm oil is often grown as a monoculture crop in tropical regions, particularly in Indonesia and Malaysia.
Bid-Rent Theory
Bid-rent theory is a model that explains the relationship between the value of land and its distance from the central business district (CBD) of a city. According to bid-rent theory, as the distance from the CBD increases, the value of land decreases. This is because land closer to the CBD is more valuable due to its proximity to amenities, such as jobs, transportation, and other resources.
The bid-rent theory is often used to predict the location of land uses within a city. For example, it can be used to predict that high-value uses, such as office buildings, will be located closer to the CBD, while lower-value uses, such as industrial or agricultural land, will be located farther from the CBD.
Bid-rent theory is often used in the field of urban and regional planning to understand how land is used and valued in different parts of a city. It is also used in real estate to predict land values and inform investment decisions.
Here is an example of the bid rent theory in action:
In a city, the land near the downtown area is more expensive than land on the outskirts because it has a higher potential for development. For example, a developer might be willing to pay a higher price for a plot of land in the city center because they can build a high-rise apartment building, which generates a higher return on investment than a low-rise building on the outskirts. The developer is willing to pay a "bid rent" for the land because they expect to make a profit from the development. On the other hand, a farmer might be willing to pay a lower price for land on the outskirts of the city because they can use it for agriculture, which does not generate as high a return on investment.
Key Points
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Commerce will situate in the inner core of the city
- Will pay higher rent for the “prime spot”
- Greater accessibility = more opportunity to attract a large population to their businesses
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Industry will situate further away from the CBD
- They need more land for a lower price/rent
- Want low price without being too far removed from the marketplace
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Residentials
- Don’t care as much about the market → more about how much they can pay for the commuting distance
- The poor reside closer to the city to get to their jobs easily
- Don’t care as much about the market → more about how much they can pay for the commuting distance
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Assumptions of the theory
- The land is featureless (i.e. no physical land features that could impact the cost or time or commuting)
- Cost of rent increases directly with the distance from the CBD
- Most centers for employment are located in the CBd while the rest is spread throughout the metropolitan area
🎥 Watch: AP HUG - Types of Agriculture
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between subsistence and commercial agriculture?
Subsistence agriculture is when farmers grow food mainly to feed themselves and their families. It’s often labor-intensive, uses mixed cropping or shifting cultivation, and usually involves small plots (intensive if high output per land, or extensive if large areas are used). Commercial agriculture produces crops and livestock for sale off the farm—think monoculture/monocropping, agribusiness, plantations, and mechanization. Economic forces shape both: high land costs near cities push farmers toward intensive, high-value commercial production (bid-rent theory), while remote areas favor extensive commercial or subsistence systems. The Green Revolution increased commercial yields but also affected some subsistence farmers by requiring expensive inputs. For AP exam relevance, you should be able to contrast subsistence vs. commercial practices and link terms like monoculture, intensive/extensive farming, and agribusiness (see the Topic 5.6 study guide for examples: https://library.fiveable.me/ap-human-geography/unit-5/agricultural-production-regions/study-guide/JKrHiraHjz8JNudVR6xC). Want more practice applying these concepts? Try the AP practice problems (https://library.fiveable.me/practice/ap-human-geography).
Why do some regions focus on monocropping while others grow multiple crops?
Regions choose monocropping or multiple crops mainly because of economic forces, land costs, and cultural practices (CED PSO-5, EK PSO-5.C.1). Monocropping (monoculture) is common where commercial agribusiness, large land parcels, good market access, and heavy capital/technology exist—think plantations or Green Revolution–era grain belts. It maximizes efficiency and profit but raises risk from pests/price swings. Growing multiple crops (mixed crop-and-livestock or subsistence systems) is typical where land is expensive or limited (intensive farming), markets are distant, or households need food security and risk diversification. Bid-rent theory explains why high land costs near markets favor intensive, often multi-crop use, while cheap, extensive land supports large-scale monocrops. Policies, climate/soil suitability, and labor availability also push regions one way or the other. For more AP-aligned review, see the Topic 5.6 study guide (https://library.fiveable.me/ap-human-geography/unit-5/agricultural-production-regions/study-guide/JKrHiraHjz8JNudVR6xC) and try practice problems (https://library.fiveable.me/practice/ap-human-geography).
How does bid-rent theory affect where farmers choose to locate their farms?
Bid-rent theory says land closer to markets costs more because more people (or businesses) are willing to pay for proximity. For farmers this shapes choices: intensive farming (high labor/input per area like market gardening, dairy, horticulture, or vegetable production) locates close to cities despite high land costs because they need quick transport and higher per-acre returns. Extensive farming (grain, ranching, monoculture) moves farther out where land is cheaper and transport costs are higher but per-acre returns are lower. So commercial farmers balance land cost, transport time, and crop value; subsistence farmers often locate based on local resources and culture instead of market rent. This idea links directly to EK PSO-5.C.2 on the CED. For a focused review, check the Topic 5.6 study guide (https://library.fiveable.me/ap-human-geography/unit-5/agricultural-production-regions/study-guide/JKrHiraHjz8JNudVR6xC) and practice more with questions at (https://library.fiveable.me/practice/ap-human-geography).
What's the difference between intensive and extensive farming practices?
Intensive farming uses small areas of land with high inputs (labor, fertilizer, irrigation, capital) to get high yields per hectare—common in mixed crop & livestock, rice paddies, market gardening near cities. Extensive farming uses large areas with lower inputs per hectare and lower yield density—examples: pastoral nomadism, ranching, shifting cultivation, large-scale grain monocropping. Economic drivers matter: high land costs near cities push farmers toward intensive methods (bid-rent theory), while cheap land favors extensive practices. Intensive is often associated with commercial production in high-value or perishable crops; extensive can be subsistence or commercial when mechanized. For the AP exam, be ready to link intensive/extensive to land-use patterns, subsistence vs. commercial agriculture, monocropping, and bid-rent (CED EK PSO-5.C.1–.2). For a targeted review, see the Topic 5.6 study guide (https://library.fiveable.me/ap-human-geography/unit-5/agricultural-production-regions/study-guide/JKrHiraHjz8JNudVR6xC) and practice questions (https://library.fiveable.me/practice/ap-human-geography).
Why do farmers closer to cities practice more intensive agriculture?
Farmers closer to cities practice more intensive agriculture mainly because land near urban markets is expensive (bid-rent theory), so they try to get the highest possible yield and profit per hectare. Intensive farming uses more labor, fertilizer, irrigation, and often greenhouse or high-value crops (dairy, vegetables, flowers) that sell fast or are perishable—so the high input costs make sense when transport time and market price are favorable. By contrast, farms farther out use extensive methods (less labor per acre, lower yields) because land is cheaper. This ties to the CED ideas: economic forces (land costs, market access) push commercial agriculture toward intensive practices (EK PSO-5.C.2). For more on agricultural production regions and examples, see the topic study guide (https://library.fiveable.me/ap-human-geography/unit-5/agricultural-production-regions/study-guide/JKrHiraHjz8JNudVR6xC). Want practice Qs on this? Try the AP practice bank (https://library.fiveable.me/practice/ap-human-geography).
I'm confused about how land costs determine farming methods - can someone explain this simply?
Think of land cost like the price of real estate: the closer to markets (cities), the more expensive the land—so farmers must get more value per acre. That’s bid-rent theory: rent falls as distance from the market increases. High land costs favor intensive farming (high inputs, high yield per hectare)—e.g., market gardening, dairy, rice paddies, terraces—because farmers maximize output on small plots. Low land costs farther from markets favor extensive farming (low inputs, low yield per hectare)—e.g., ranching, large-scale grain monoculture, plantations. For the AP exam know the terms bid-rent theory, intensive vs. extensive farming, subsistence vs. commercial, and monocropping/monoculture (EK PSO-5.C.2 and EK PSO-5.C.1). For a quick topic review check the study guide (https://library.fiveable.me/ap-human-geography/unit-5/agricultural-production-regions/study-guide/JKrHiraHjz8JNudVR6xC) and more unit review (https://library.fiveable.me/ap-human-geography/unit-5) or practice questions (https://library.fiveable.me/practice/ap-human-geography).
How do economic forces like market demand influence what crops farmers grow?
Market demand is one of the biggest economic signals farmers use to decide what to grow. If consumers or global markets pay higher prices for a crop (or if subsidies make it more profitable), farmers shift toward that cash crop—often leading to monocropping or monoculture in commercial agriculture. Demand also encourages agribusiness investment (machinery, inputs, storage), which favors large-scale, extensive farming where economies of scale matter. In high land-cost areas, bid-rent pressures push farmers toward intensive practices (high-value vegetables, dairy) on smaller plots; cheaper land encourages extensive grain or cotton production. Transportation costs, access to export markets, and government policies (tariffs, subsidies) all modify demand signals. For AP exam prep, you should be able to explain these links using terms like cash crops, monoculture, agribusiness, intensive/extensive, and bid-rent theory (see the Topic 5.6 study guide) (https://library.fiveable.me/ap-human-geography/unit-5/agricultural-production-regions/study-guide/JKrHiraHjz8JNudVR6xC). Practice applying this in FRQs at (https://library.fiveable.me/practice/ap-human-geography).
What are some examples of agricultural production regions that use mainly subsistence vs commercial practices?
Subsistence vs. commercial regions often map to level of development and land-use type. Examples of mainly subsistence agriculture: smallholder intensive wet-rice farming in Southeast Asia (parts of Vietnam, Indonesia), pastoral nomadism in parts of the Sahel and Central Asia, and shifting cultivation in Amazonia and Central Africa—these are labor-intensive, produce primarily for local consumption (CED keywords: subsistence, intensive, pastoral nomadism, shifting cultivation). Examples of mainly commercial agriculture: Midwestern U.S. mixed crop-and-livestock and large-scale monocropping (corn/soy), Argentina’s pampas cattle ranching, Mediterranean commercial specialty crops (olives, grapes), and plantation agriculture in plantations in Southeast Asia and the Caribbean (CED keywords: commercial, monocropping, plantation, agribusiness, extensive farming). For AP exam focus, link practices to economic forces (PSO-5.C) and land costs/bid-rent (EK PSO-5.C.2). Review this topic’s study guide (https://library.fiveable.me/ap-human-geography/unit-5/agricultural-production-regions/study-guide/JKrHiraHjz8JNudVR6xC), the unit overview (https://library.fiveable.me/ap-human-geography/unit-5), and practice problems (https://library.fiveable.me/practice/ap-human-geography) to drill examples.
Why would a farmer choose monoculture over growing diverse crops?
A farmer chooses monoculture (monocropping) mainly for economic reasons: it lets them specialize in a single cash crop, gain economies of scale, and use machinery, chemical inputs, and standardized planting/harvest schedules efficiently—all of which lower per-unit costs and raise profit potential in commercial agriculture. Monoculture fits agribusiness models and is easier to finance and market (contracts, exports). Land-cost and bid-rent pressures also push farmers toward intensive monoculture near high-value markets or extensive monoculture where land is cheaper. Tradeoffs: higher yields and profits but greater risk from pests, disease, soil depletion, and price swings. For AP HUG, link this to EK PSO-5.C.1 (monocropping vs. subsistence) and consider intensive vs. extensive decisions (bid-rent theory). Want more examples and practice? Check the Topic 5.6 study guide (https://library.fiveable.me/ap-human-geography/unit-5/agricultural-production-regions/study-guide/JKrHiraHjz8JNudVR6xC), the Unit 5 overview (https://library.fiveable.me/ap-human-geography/unit-5), and practice problems (https://library.fiveable.me/practice/ap-human-geography).
How does distance from markets affect agricultural practices in different regions?
Distance to markets strongly shapes what farmers grow and how they farm. Near cities (high land value per bid-rent theory) you see intensive, high-value, perishable production—market gardening, dairy, flowers—often commercial and sometimes monocropping because farmers need quick returns on expensive land. Farther from markets, land is cheaper so extensive practices dominate: large-scale grain farming, ranching, or plantation crops that tolerate longer transport times. Subsistence farming tends to be remote and labor-intensive locally (e.g., shifting cultivation, pastoral nomadism) because producers aren’t selling to distant markets. Transport costs and perishability also push regions toward agribusiness and mechanization (Green Revolution technologies) to increase yields and profit margins. Know these links for the AP exam: bid-rent, intensive vs. extensive, and subsistence vs. commercial are commonly tested in multiple-choice and free-response items. For a focused review, see the Topic 5.6 study guide (https://library.fiveable.me/ap-human-geography/unit-5/agricultural-production-regions/study-guide/JKrHiraHjz8JNudVR6xC), the full Unit 5 overview (https://library.fiveable.me/ap-human-geography/unit-5), and practice questions (https://library.fiveable.me/practice/ap-human-geography).
What causes some agricultural regions to be more intensive than others?
Some regions are more intensive because of economic, environmental, and cultural factors that raise output per land area. Key causes: high land values and bid-rent pressure near markets (farmers intensify production to cover costly land), proximity to consumers and perishability (dairies, market gardening), abundant and/or cheap labor (intensive subsistence or labor-heavy crops), irrigation and fertile soils that support multiple crops per year, and advanced technology/inputs from the Green Revolution or agribusiness (mechanization, high-yield seeds, fertilizers). Cultural choices (subsistence vs. commercial, monocropping vs. mixed crop–livestock) also shape intensity. Government policy, infrastructure, and access to capital affect adoption of intensive methods. These factors map directly to EK PSO-5.C.1 and EK PSO-5.C.2 in the CED—useful to mention on the exam when explaining why a region is intensive. For more review on agricultural production regions, see the Topic 5.6 study guide (https://library.fiveable.me/ap-human-geography/unit-5/agricultural-production-regions/study-guide/JKrHiraHjz8JNudVR6xC) and Unit 5 overview (https://library.fiveable.me/ap-human-geography/unit-5). Practice applying these ideas with problems at (https://library.fiveable.me/practice/ap-human-geography).
Can someone help me write an essay about how economic factors shape agricultural production regions?
Start your essay by defining key economic distinctions: subsistence vs. commercial agriculture and monoculture/monocropping. Explain how market demand, price signals, and agribusiness investment push regions toward commercial monoculture (cash crops, plantations) while low-market access or high risk favors subsistence or mixed crop–livestock systems. Use bid-rent theory to show how land costs drive intensive farming (high yields per hectare near markets) versus extensive farming (low input, large area farther out). Discuss tech and capital: the Green Revolution and mechanization raise productivity, encourage specialization, and reduce labor needs, changing regions from labor-intensive to capital-intensive. Note policy and trade (subsidies, tariffs, global markets) shape what’s profitable regionally. Tie to AP exam: FRQs often ask you to explain processes and use terms like intensive/extensive and bid-rent—Unit 5 is 12–17% of the test. For quick topic review, check the Topic 5.6 study guide (https://library.fiveable.me/ap-human-geography/unit-5/agricultural-production-regions/study-guide/JKrHiraHjz8JNudVR6xC), the Unit 5 overview (https://library.fiveable.me/ap-human-geography/unit-5), and practice questions (https://library.fiveable.me/practice/ap-human-geography).
How do transportation costs influence the types of farming in different areas?
Transportation costs strongly shape what farmers grow and where. Because moving bulky or perishable goods is expensive, high-value, time-sensitive crops (market gardening, dairy, vegetables, flowers) cluster close to cities—an example of bid-rent and intensive commercial farming. Farther from markets, where transport costs or travel time rise and land is cheaper, you see extensive farming and monoculture (wheat, corn, cattle ranching) that tolerate longer shipping. Plantation agriculture often locates near ports to reduce export costs. On the AP exam you should connect these patterns to economic forces (CED PSO-5.C) and the bid-rent idea when explaining land-use maps or stimuli. For more examples and practice explaining spatial/economic links in free-response style, check the Topic 5.6 study guide (https://library.fiveable.me/ap-human-geography/unit-5/agricultural-production-regions/study-guide/JKrHiraHjz8JNudVR6xC) and Unit 5 overview (https://library.fiveable.me/ap-human-geography/unit-5). Practice questions are at (https://library.fiveable.me/practice/ap-human-geography).
I don't understand why land rent affects farming intensity - what's the connection?
Think of land rent (price) like a pressure: the closer you are to a market, the more you (or someone) will pay for that land. Because land near markets is expensive, farmers try to get the most output per acre—so they use intensive practices (high labor/input per area), like market gardening, dairy, or mixed crop–livestock systems. Farther from markets land rent drops, so farmers can afford to use lots of land with lower inputs per acre—that’s extensive farming, like ranching or large-scale grain monocropping. This is exactly what bid-rent theory explains: economic forces (land cost, transport time) shape whether land is used intensively or extensively (EK PSO-5.C.2). For AP exam, be ready to link “high land costs → intensive/commercial farming” and give examples. Review this topic’s study guide for quick examples and diagrams (https://library.fiveable.me/ap-human-geography/unit-5/agricultural-production-regions/study-guide/JKrHiraHjz8JNudVR6xC), and use the unit overview (https://library.fiveable.me/ap-human-geography/unit-5) or practice problems (https://library.fiveable.me/practice/ap-human-geography) to drill this.
What are the consequences of monocropping for agricultural production regions?
Monocropping (monoculture)—planting the same cash crop year after year—is common in commercial agribusiness and shows up in AP PSO-5.C.1. Consequences: soil nutrient depletion and greater erosion because crop rotation isn’t replenishing nutrients; higher pesticide/herbicide and fertilizer use, which raises input costs and causes water pollution from runoff; reduced biodiversity, so pests and diseases can spread rapidly and cause catastrophic yield losses; greater market and price vulnerability (if a single crop’s price drops or fails, whole regions suffer); and larger-scale mechanization/land consolidation, which can push small farmers out. On the exam you might be asked to explain these economic forces (input costs, economies of scale, market dependence) or link monocropping to Green Revolution and intensive vs. extensive practices. For a quick review, see the Topic 5.6 study guide (https://library.fiveable.me/ap-human-geography/unit-5/agricultural-production-regions/study-guide/JKrHiraHjz8JNudVR6xC) and more unit resources (https://library.fiveable.me/ap-human-geography/unit-5). Practice questions: (https://library.fiveable.me/practice/ap-human-geography).