Overview of Agriculture

What is Agriculture?
Agriculture – is an art, science and industry that deals with the study of plants and animals that are useful to
man.
- Derived from two Latin words “agri” (field) and “cultura” (cultivation).
Brief History of Agriculture
Primitive man was not an agriculturist. He was a hunter and gatherer of food. When food was exhausted
in one area, he moved to another area. Agriculture arose when man began to take control of growing of the
plants by rearranging them for his benefits. He discovered perhaps by accident that certain plants, chiefly
herbaceous annuals such as wheat, rice, barley, rye and peas could be grown far from their natural habitat. He
discovered that some plants possess seeds and these could produce new plants. This was the beginning of crop
domestication and the birth of agriculture. Thus, when man began stirring the soil with sticks and growing,
harvesting, and storing the seeds, it was possible for him to give up his wandering life and settle in one place. In
this way, villages and small settlements arose- a primitive urban existence. Agriculture, therefore, made urban
life possible. People lived together and the so called civilization evolved. With the supply of food, shelter, and
clothing, man had the leisure to develop the arts and industries identified with civilization.

When was agriculture started?

Precisely where the first plants were cultivated is unknown. The first production of food by crop
cultivation and actual domestication dates back 7,000 to 10,000 years ago to the Neolithic age.
Where was agriculture started?
According to archeological evidence, agriculture had its origin somewhere in the well watered highlands
of Indus, Tigris, Euphrates and Nile rivers.

Some Geographical Features of the Philippines

The Philippine Archipelago lies in Southeast Asia in a position that has led to its becoming a cultural
crossroads – a place where Malays, Indus, Arabs, Chinese, Spaniards, Americans, and others had interacted to
forge a unique cultural and racial blend. It is consisted of about 7,107 islands with a total land area of
approximately 300,000 km2. It is divided into three major Island such Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.
Continent : Asia
Region : Southeast Asia
Area
Total : 300,000 km2 (120,000 sq. mi.)
Land : 298, 170 km2 (99.38%)
Water : 1,830 km2 (0.62%)
No. of Islands : 7,107
Highest Point : Mount Apo – 2,954m (9,691ft)
Longest River : Cagayan River
Largest Lake : Laguna de Bay
Origin : Volcanic
Total Population :
Total No. of Regions : 18
Total No. of Provinces : 81
Type of Climate : Tropical

Philippine as an Agricultural Country

- Composed of small farm
- Humid tropical climate and variable weather divided into several types based on rainfall:
Type1. Two pronounced seasons: dry from November to April and wet, the rest of the year.
Type2. No dry season, with a very pronounced maximum rain period from November to January.
Type3. Season is not very pronounced, relatively dry from November to April and relatively wet for the rest of
the year.
Type4. Rainfall is more or less evenly distributed or rather, not very pronounced maximum rain period and no
dry season.
- Varying topographies and soil types
- Adverse flora and fauna; and
- A mélange (mixture) of cultures in numerous communities
Crop Agriculture and Land use in the Philippines
Total Land Area = 30, 000, 000 ha
Public and Unclassified Forest Land = 15, 883 Mha
Alienable and Disposable lands = 14, 117 Mha
 14.60 M ha (49%) = sustainable for agriculture
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  102 M population by 2016 – land-man ratio of 0.14 ha
 Cropped area = 13 M ha (2002)
 Physical area = 10.299 M ha
 More than 80% of agricultural area is planted to three major: rice, corn and coconut
Characteristics of Philippine Agriculture
 Generally small-scale
 Dependent on manual labor
 Farmers are heterogeneous ( commercial, semi-commercial subsistence, landless farm workers)
Poverty incidence: rural (66%) > urban areas (34%)
 Corn farmers – 41%
 Rice and corn farmers – 36%
 Sugarcane farm workers, coconut farm workers, forestry workers – 33%
 Fisheries in the Coastal waters – 31%
Why Filipinos are poor?
-Severe inequality of income and assets – worsened by the inequality of access to:
 Education
 Health Care
 Other social service such as: safe drinking water, electricity and farm to market roads.
-The wealthiest fifth of our people are 10x richer than the poorest fifth
-Rural people are the poorest because the urban poor have better access to social services.

Philippine population Trends and Agricultural Situation

 The annual population growth rate is 1.54% (2016)
 The country’s population as of June 30, 2016 is 102.24 M.
 In the 2015, the country’s population was 100.98M.
 In the 2010, the country’s population was 91.87M.
 By 2020, the population shall be 108.44M.
Agricultural Production (Crops)
 Palay 15.77 MMT
 Corn 6.37 MMT
 Coconut 15,51 MMT
 Banana 5.06 MMT
 Sugarcane 28.54 MMT
 Mango 0.88 MMT
 Pineapple 1.62 MMT
 Cassava 1.65 MMT
 Coffee 0.13 MMT
 Camote 0.55 MMT
Nature of Agriculture as a Field of Study
Comparison Traditional and Modern Agriculture
Traditional Modern Agriculture
 Low-input  High-input
 Low yield/productivity  High productivity
 Highly sustainable  Low sustainability
 Diversified  Less diversified (monoculture)
 Use of synthetic/agrochemicals
 Highly artificial environment

The Importance of Agriculture

Generally, Agriculture plays a pivotal role in the progress and development of man and the nation as a
whole. It is the backbone of the economic system of a given country. In addition to providing food and raw
materials, it also provides employment opportunities to many people around the world.
1. Source of Livelihood
2. Contributes to National Revenue
3. Supply of Food and Feeds
4. Contributes to International Trade
5. Source of Raw Materials
6. Provides Employment Opportunities
7. Contributes to Food Security
Uses and Contributions of Agricultural Crops
1. Food 4. Beverages 7. Fiber 10. Dyes and Pigments

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2. Feed 5. Oil 8. Wood Products 11. Rubber
3. Medicines / Drugs 6. Sugar 9. Tanning materials 12. Smoking and chewing
materials

Classification of Agricultural Crop Plants

Plant – refers to any organism belonging to the kingdom Plantae.
Crop – is a domesticated plant grown for profit.

Plants are classified in three ways:

1. Botanical Classification
2. Descriptive Classification
3. Agricultural Classification
I. Botanical Classification
The botanical classification of plants is based on the International Code of Botanical Nomenclature
and the International Code of Nomenclature for Cultivated Plants.

Plant Taxonomy – Science that deals with classification, identification, naming of plants.
Importance of Plant Taxonomy
1. To get acquainted (familiar) with crops.
2. To understand the soil and water requirement of different crops.
3. To know the adaptability of crops.
4. To know the growing habit.
5. To know the climatic requirement of different crops
6. To know the economic produce of the crop plant and its use.
7. To know the growing season of the crop

Theoprastus (Father of Botany) – the first scientist who worked on botanical system of classification. He
classified plants by gross morphology (form, size, and texture).

Carolus Linneaus – a Swedish physician credited for his work by giving two-part scientific names (binomial
system – Genus and species name) to organisms. Usually a third name is placed after the species to give
authority who named the plant. Example: Oryza sativa L.
A. Naming Crop Plants Examples
1. Common Name Rice Cassava Cowpea
2. Local Name Bigas KamotengKahoy Sitao
3. Scientific Name Oryza sativa Manihot esculenta/utilissima Vigna sinensis
B. Grouping Crop Plant (Corn Plant)
Classification Unit (Hierarchy of Crop Plants)
Kingdom - Plantae Order - Graminales
Division - Spermatophyte Family - Graminae/Poaceae
Subdivision - Ptecopsida Genus - Zea
Class - Angiosperm Species - mays
Subclass - Monocotyledon Scientific Name - Zea mays L.

II. Descriptive Classification

Plants are classified (described) based on the following criteria:
A. Growth habits/Life cycle
1. Annual crops – single growing season (Four months)
Examples: Rice, Corn, Sweet Potato, Mungbean, Cabbage
2. Biennial crops – two growing season (Five to Eight months)
Examples: Gabi, Cassava, Ginger, Turmeric
3. Perennial Crops – continue growing indefinitely
Examples: Mango, Coconut, Durian
B. Structure and Form (Morphology)
1. Herbaceous – soft and succulent stem. Examples: Tomato, Sweet Pepper, Soybean
2. Woody/Trees – develop secondary tissues called as “wood”. Examples: Mango, Jackfruit, Narra
3. Shrub – small trees. Examples: Lemon, Coffee, Cacao
4. Vines – trailing or climbing plants. Examples: Ampalaya, Chayote, Stringbeans.
C. Leaf retention
1. Deciduous – loose leaves annually for extended period.
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 Examples: Mahogany and Rubber
2. Evergreen – maintain leaves throughout the year.
Examples: Marang and Mango
D. Climatic adaptation
1. Tropical – warm climate
2. Temperate – marked winter season (freezing)
3. Sub-tropical – eg. Baguio city
E. Usefulness: root crops, medicinal, forage, fruits and vegetable, grains and cereals, ornamental, fiber
crop, sugar crop, oil crop and beverage crop.

III. Agricultural Classification

1. Agronomic Classification of Crops
2. Horticultural Classification
A. Agronomic Classification
Agronomy – science which deals with field crop production and management.
- Derived from Greek words “agros” (field) and”nomos” (to manage).
Agronomic Crops or Field Crops– are herbaceous plants that are grown on the farm under a system of
“extensive” or large scale culture. They are grouped or classified based on the manner by which they are
utilized.
A. Cereal or Grain Crops – belonging to grass family, which are utilized as staple. The word “cereal” is
derived from the name of the most important grain deity; the Roman Goddess “Ceres”
Examples: 1. Rice Oryza sativa 5. Barley Hordeum vulgare
2. Corn Zea mays 6. Wheat Triticum vulgare
3. Adlai Coix Lacryma-jobi 7. Oat Avena sativa
4. Sorghum Sorghum vulgare 8. Rye Secale cereale
B. Legume Seed Crops – Legume seed or pulses of the family Leguminosae, which are consumed in the
dry seed form. The legumes are rich sources of protein. The plants possess the ability to fix nitrogen
from the air in symbiotic association with Rhizobium bacteria.
Examples: 1. Mungbean Vigna radiata 4. Peanut Arachis hypogea
2. Cowpea Vigna sinensis 5. Soybeans Glycine max
3. Whitebean Phaseolus vulgaris 6. Peas Pisum sativum
C. Root and Tuber Crops – are rich sources of carbohydrate.
Examples: 1. Cassava Manihot esculenta 4. Gabi Colocasia esculenta
2. Sweet potato Ipomea batatas 5. Ubi/Yam Dioscorea alata
3. Potato Solanum tuberosum
D. Sugar Crops – grown for their sweet syrup.
Examples: 1. Sugarcane Saccharum officinalis 2. Sugar beet Beta vulgaris
E. Oil and Beverages Crops – Oil crop grown for its oil content.
Examples: 1. Coconut Cocos nucifera 3. Castor bean Ricinus communis
2. Palm oil Elaeis guineensis
Beverage Crop – grown as drink.
Examples: 1. Coffee Coffea arabica 3. Tea Thea sinensis
2. Cacao Theobroma cacao
F. Fiber Crops – grown for their fiber content
Examples: 1. Abaca Musa textiles 4. Pineapple Ananas comosus
2. Cotton Gossypium spp. 5. Ramie Boehmeria nivea
3. Kapok Caiba pontandra
G. Rubber Crop – grown for its latex content. Example: Rubber tree Hevea braziliensis
H. Forage Crops – grown as feeds for livestock.
Examples: 1. Guinea Panicum maximum 3. Carabao grass Paspalum conjugatum
2. Napier Pennisetum purpureum 4. Ipil-ipil Leucaena leucocephala
I. Medicinal Crops – grown for their medicinal value.
Examples: 1. Ginger Zingiber officinale 3. Lagundi Vitex negundo
2. Turmeric Curcuma longa
B. Horticultural Classification
Horticulture – is the science which deals with study of Fruits (Pomology), Vegetables (Olericulture),
Ornamental (Floriculture), Nursery management and Landscape Gardening.
- Derived from two latin words “hortos” (garden) and “cultura” (cultivation).
A. Fruit Crops
1. Avocado - Persia americana
2. Banana - Musa sapientum

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 3. Breadfruit - Artocarpus communis/camansi
4. Durian - Durio zibethinus
5. Grapes - Vitis vinifera
6. Guava - Psidium guajava
7. Guyabano - Anona muricata
8. Jackfruit - Artocarpus integra
9. Lanzones - Lansium domesticum
10. Lemon - Citrus lemonia
11. Mango - Mangifera indica
12. Mangosteen - Garcinia mangostana
13. Marang - Artocarpus odoratissima
14. Orange - Citrus sinensis
15. Papaya - Carica papaya
16. Pineapple - Ananas comosus
17. Pomelo - Citrus maxima
18. Rambutan - Nephelium lappaceum
19. Santol - Sandoricum koetjape
20. Siniguelas - Spongian purporea
21. Strawbery - Fragaria vesca
B. Vegetable Crops
1. Tomato - Lycopersicum esculentum 12. Chayote - Sechium edule
2. Cabbage - Brassica oleracea 13. Onion - Allium cepa
3. Carrot - Daucus carota 14. Garlic - Allium sativum
4. Eggplant - Solanum melongena 15. White Scallion - Allium ampeloprasum
5. Ampalaya - Momordica charantia 16. Green Onion - Allium fistulosum
6. Potato - Solanum tuberosum 17. Sweet Pepper - Capsicum annuum
7. Pechay - Brassica chinensis 18. Hot Pepper - Capsicum frutescens
8. Cucumber - Cucumis sativus 19. Kangkong - Ipomea aquatica
9. Radish - Raphanus sativus 20. Lettuce - Lactuca sativa
10. Squash - Cucurbita maxima 21. Ginger - Zingiber officinale
11. Okra - Abelmoschus esculentus
C. Ornamental Crops
1. Chrysanthemum - Chrysanthemum marifolium
2. Gladiolus - Gladiolus grandiflorus
3. Rose - Rosa spp.
4. Anthurium - Anthurium hortulanum
5. Poisenttia - Euphorbia pulcherrima
Other Classifications
A. Classification according to habitat:
1. Terrestrial – those plants that grow on land.
2. Aquatic plants – those plants that grow on bodies of water (floating, emergent and submerge).
B. Classification cording to elevation of the land:
1. Lowland crops – crops that grow well in low and plain portion of the land.
2. Upland crops – crops grown in higher portion of the land or in rolling or hilly areas.
C. Classification according to method of propagation:
1. Sexually propagated crops – crops that are propagated seeds.
2. Asexually propagated crops – crops that are propagated using the vegetative parts of the plants (stem, leaves,
roots)
D. Classification according to purpose
1. Cover crops – crops grown to maintain a plant cover on the land top prevent erosion and leaching, when
turned under it becomes a manure crop hence, improved soil condition.
2. Companion crop – a crop planted simultaneously with the main crop.
3. Green manure – a crop grown and plowed during their peak of flowering to improve the soil fertility.
4. Soilage crop – forage that is cut green and fed to livestock.
5. Silage crop – forage that has been cut and preserved in a succulent condition by partial fermentation.
6. Catch crops or Substitute crops – planted late after the regular crop failed.
7. Trap crops – planted to attract insects and parasites