Compare ‘intensive subsistence farming’ with that of ‘commercial farming’. (CBSE 2011, 2012, 2013)

A range of farming practices has been emerged to increase productivity, of the agricultural land. Two such farming practices are intensive farming and extensive farming.

1. Intensive Farming is a farming method that uses higher inputs and advanced agricultural techniques to increase the overall yield. In contrast, Extensive Farming is one in which more and more land is brought under cultivation to increase the output produced.

2. Intensive cultivation as adopted in areas where agricultural land may be scarce such as hinterland or suburban areas. In these zones, rigorous cultivation is practiced with the aim of utilizing the available land to the fullest.

3. In subsistence farming, farming is done at a small scale level to meet the own consumption levels of the producer. Usually, fragmented lands are used for cultivation and old techniques of cultivation is adopted.

4. In commercial farming, farming takes place at a larger scale with the aim of generating maximum revenue by producing maximum output.