widespread distribution to wholesalers or retail outlets. In commercial farming crops
such as wheat, maize, tea, coffee, sugarcane, cashew, rubber, banana, cotton are
harvested and sold in the world markets.
Where?
Plantation agriculture is found mostly in tropical regions as well – tea, sugar, rubber,
palm, coffee, banana, and most other crops suitable for this type of agriculture
require a tropical climate, making it most likely to take place in tropical regions. Major
plantations are found in Brazil, the Caribbean, Central America, pockets in tropical
Africa, South Asia, Southeast Asia, and Australia. Most plantation crops are destined
for export, as well, not domestic consumption.
Pastoral commercial agriculture is much different than subsistence nomadic herding.
In commercial pastoral ag, the agricultural products being produced are grazing
animals. These operations are much larger and have many more animals and set
property limits upon which those animals can graze (compared to open grazing lands
and fewer animals with subsistence nomadic herding)
Grain (commercial grain) farming has very high inputs: fertilizers, pesticides, heavy
machinery, processing equipment, etc. The grain is then stored in grain elevators
(grain storage facilities) until it is sold.
Intensive commercial agriculture is where you find your market gardens – tomatoes,
potatoes, lettuce, strawberries, grapes, etc.
Mediterranean agriculture – in Mediterranean regions, commercial agriculture exists
alongside commercial agriculture. Many crops such as wheat, barley and vegetables
are raised for domestic consumption, while others like citrus fruits, olives, and grapes
are mainly for export. The region is known for orchard-style agriculture (fruit trees,
olive trees, grape vines, etc.) as well as grazing animals such as goats and sheep.
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