An Introduction to Agricultural Geography

by David Grigg

Overview

Employing nearly half of the world's workforce, agriculture is clearly of great economic and social importance. An incredible variety of methods are used globally; the Western world has the latest scientific and industrial advancements at its disposal, yet in the Thrid World a living is made using tools that have hardly changed in two thousand years. An Introduction to Agricultural Geography provides an extensive guide through this diverse and increaslingly important geographical subject, aiming to show that a wide range of factors explain how agricultural practices differ from place to place. Dealing with the physical environment, economic behaviour and demands, institutional and social influences and the impact of farming upon the environment, the author has produced an important introductory text that is topical, incisive and ultimately essential to reach an understanding of the remarkable diversity of the world's major industry.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780415084437
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	01/05/1995
Edition description:	Revised
Pages:	236
Product dimensions:	6.12(w) x 9.19(h) x (d)

About the Author

David Grigg is Professor in the Department of Geography, University of Sheffield.

Table of Contents

1 Introduction 2 The biology of agriculture 3 Climate and crops 4 Soils and the farmer 5 Slopes, altitude and agriculture 6 The demand for agricultural products 7 The economic behaviour of farmers 8 The modernization of agriculture9 The state and the farmer 10 Markets and transport 11 Agriculture in peri-urban regions 12 Population, labour supply and agriculture 13 Farm size and landownership 14 The diffusion of agricultural innovations 15 The cultural framework of farming 16 Agriculture and the environment 17 Conclusions

Editorial Reviews

‘The main aim of an introductory text is to suggest that the subject of agriculture is of remarkable interest, and to encourage the student to find out more about it ...' This book, with its many interesting maps, diagrams and tables, should succeed in this aim.' - Agricultural Progress

From the Publisher