Agriculture

Agriculture plays a significant role in the economy of a given country. Agriculture serves as the backbone of the economic system, from providing food to providing employment opportunities. Some people tend to overlook the importance of agriculture. For decades, agriculture has been the source of production of essential food crops. Agriculture also provides a livelihood for most people under countries like Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, and several others. Reasons why agriculture is important: Source of livelihood Farming is the primary source of livelihood, even before the world has developed. There are about 70% of people that rely on agriculture as a mean of living. The non-developed agricultural activities are the result of this high percentage. Supplies food and fodder Agriculture is the primary source of food supply for both humans and animals. The domestic animals such as bovine, swine, and poultry animals provide the people’s daily food requirement – they provide meat, milk, and other essential food supply. The primary source of raw materials Many major industries use raw materials such as cotton, wood, sugar, palm oil, to manufacture products. They are used in pharmaceuticals, diesel fuel, plastic, and many more. The raw materials from agriculture have a significant contribution to many productions that the economic health of a given country strongly depends on it. Plays a significant role in international trade The country with plenty of supplies of raw materials benefits from exporting them and trading for materials that they do not possess. The raw materials make up the massive portion of what is sold internationally. If a country suffers from a lack of agricultural materials, the prices can go up and disturb the flow of trade. Essential in national revenue Agriculture is the primary source of national income from agricultural exports. For most developing countries, agricultural jobs help reduce the high rate of unemployment. While in developed countries, agriculture gives a small percentage to their national income. Helps in economic growth The economic development is connected to the agricultural sector. The positive union of trade, national revenue, and employment can result in a better standing of a country in the world. Healthy agriculture helps reduce poverty, improve development, and boost economic growth. Helps heal the environment Agriculture has the power to heal and harm the environment. A healthy biodiversity results in a better environment that leads to healthier soil, healthier pollinators, less erosion, and better water conservation. It is beneficial for the earth when a country focuses on its biodiversity. Food security Food security is the main requirement of any nation. Having a stable agricultural sector ensures food security. It is vital in one’s nation because it prevents malnourishment which is one of the major problems faced by the developing countries. (Conclusion) Agriculture is one of the most critical sectors in the world. Whatever you eat, drink or use came from agriculture. It drives the economic system and has major contributions in national revenue. Agriculture plays a significant role in dealing with food insecurity and malnourishment. Every nation should strive for a better agricultural sector to cultivate economic growth and lessen the hungry people.

Wheat, maize, and rice are the top three primary food crops in the world. Together, the three supply over 42% of all the consumed calories of the world’s entire population. But, out of these three crops, there is no doubt that rice is the most important food crop for those living in lower and low middle income nations. Rice serves as the staple food for over half of the population of the world. In particular, Asia accounts for about 90% of the global consumption of rice and the total demand for rice in the continent is continuously on the rise. Consumption of rice in Asia is extremely high and exceeds 100 kilograms per capita every year in most countries. For around 520 million individuals in Asia, the majority of them very poor or poor, rice offers over 50% of their supply of calories. It is broadly accepted that the consumption of rice per capita in most of the countries in Asia is going to start or continue declining in the near future as the result of the increasing income now that people are already making their diets more diverse. In the Asian countries with high income including Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, and Taiwan, there is a substantial decline in the per capita rice consumption that was witness for the past 40 years. The same patterns have also started emerging in the middle-income countries like Thailand, Myanmar, and China for the past 20 years as people of these nations have started to have a proportionate consumption of vegetables and meat. In many other developing countries in Asia including Indonesia, Vietnam, and India, per capita rice consumption for the past years has started seeing a decline as well as a result of the rising income. However, the pace was a rather slow one. Meanwhile, many other Asian countries with middle to low income including Myanmar, Philippines, Laos, Cambodia, and Bangladesh are continuously witnessing an increase in the per capita rice consumption. As the result of the varied dietary habits of each country, such as India’s large numbers of lacto-ovo vegetarians, it is safe to say that it is impossible to assume that all of the countries in Asia will be following the similar patterns of lower consumption of rice because of the rise in disposable income. The real question here is how the patterns of consumption of every nation is going to change together with the higher income and the rapid rise of urbanization that has a big influence on the people’s food habits. At the end of the day, in spite of the noted variation in the trend of per capita rice consumption in the different Asian countries, one thing is for sure, and that is, the total demand for rice in the continent will continue to rise in the future. This food crop will continue to be seen on Asian tables being enjoyed by families and consumed together with all their favorite dishes.