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Commercial Agriculture

Definition

Commercial agriculture involves farming for profit where crops are grown and animals are reared for sale in markets, often at a large scale.

Analogy

If you've ever sold lemonade from a stand as a kid, think of commercial agriculture as doing that but on a much larger scale. Instead of just making enough lemonade for your family, you're making enough to sell to the whole neighborhood or even the entire city.

Related terms

Subsistence Agriculture: This is farming where crops are grown primarily for consumption by the farmer and his family, not for sale in a market. It's the opposite of commercial agriculture.

Cash Crops: These are crops grown specifically for sale rather than for use by the farmer. Examples include tobacco and cotton.

Agricultural Revolution: A period of agricultural development between the 18th century and the end of the 19th century which saw an increase in productivity and net output. This paved way to an increased supply of food and raw materials, supporting population growth and urbanization.