Agriculture vs. Farming — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on October 25, 2023
Agriculture encompasses the entire process and science of producing food and goods. Farming specifically refers to cultivating land and raising livestock.
Difference Between Agriculture and Farming
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Agriculture is a broad term that covers various activities related to the cultivation of plants, raising of livestock, and even other activities like forestry and fishing. Farming, on the other hand, zeroes in primarily on the cultivation of land to produce crops and the raising of animals.
Agriculture not only includes farming but also encompasses other facets like agricultural economics, research, technology, and more. Farming is a subset of this wider category and is specifically concerned with the hands-on activity of tending to crops and animals.
Agriculture is the backbone of many economies and is intertwined with various industries, from technology to finance. Farming, being a more specific activity, is often the most visual representation of agriculture and typically represents the grassroots level of the food production process.
Both agriculture and farming play a pivotal role in sustaining life and economies. While agriculture paints the bigger picture of food and goods production as a whole, farming gives a close-up view of the cultivation and care required in producing specific crops and livestock.
Comparison Chart
Scope
Broad, encompasses multiple activities.
Narrower, focused on land cultivation and livestock.
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Associated Activities
Includes research, economics, technology, etc.
Specifically about growing crops and raising animals.
Industry Involvement
Interconnected with various industries.
Primarily a standalone activity within agriculture.
End Products
Diverse (crops, dairy, meat, wood, etc.).
Limited to what is cultivated or raised on the farm.
Scale
Can be macroscopic (national policies, global trade, etc.).
Generally localized to specific plots or areas.
Compare with Definitions
Agriculture
The science and practice of cultivating soil and producing crops.
The development of modern agriculture has significantly increased food production.
Farming
Cultivation of the land to produce agricultural goods.
Crop rotation is a popular farming method to maintain soil fertility.
Agriculture
The entire industry involved in the production and distribution of food and goods.
Advances in agriculture technology have reshaped traditional farming practices.
Farming
The activity of growing crops or raising livestock.
Farming has been a traditional occupation for many families for generations.
Agriculture
The business of farming, including the cultivation of animals and plants.
Many economies depend heavily on agriculture for their GDP.
Farming
The business of operating a farm.
With the advent of technology, farming has become more efficient.
Agriculture
Activities concerned with the processing of raw materials into food and fiber.
Sustainable agriculture aims to meet current needs without compromising future generations.
Farming
The activity or business of growing crops and raising livestock
Land was enclosed for arable farming
Sheep farming
Agriculture
Agriculture is the practice of cultivating plants and livestock. Agriculture was the key development in the rise of sedentary human civilization, whereby farming of domesticated species created food surpluses that enabled people to live in cities.
Farming
A tract of land cultivated for the purpose of agricultural production.
Agriculture
The science, art, and business of cultivating soil, producing crops, and raising livestock; farming.
Farming
A tract of land devoted to the raising and breeding of domestic animals.
Agriculture
The art or science of cultivating the ground, including the harvesting of crops, and the rearing and management of livestock
Farming
An area of water devoted to the raising, breeding, or production of a specific aquatic animal
A trout farm.
An oyster farm.
Agriculture
The art or science of cultivating the ground, including the harvesting of crops, and the rearing and management of live stock; tillage; husbandry; farming.
Farming
A facility for the generation of energy by converting it from a particular source, usually by means of multiple electric generators
A wind farm.
Agriculture
A large-scale farming enterprise
Farming
A place where a group of similar devices or storage containers are set up
A tank farm.
A server farm.
Agriculture
The practice of cultivating the land or raising stock
Farming
(Baseball) A minor-league club affiliated with a major-league club for the training of recruits and the maintenance of temporarily unneeded players.
Agriculture
The federal department that administers programs that provide services to farmers (including research and soil conservation and efforts to stabilize the farming economy); created in 1862
Farming
The system of leasing out the rights of collecting and retaining taxes in a certain district.
Agriculture
The class of people engaged in growing food
Farming
A district so leased.
Agriculture
The systematic raising of livestock and cultivation of plants.
Modern agriculture uses both organic and technological methods.
Farming
To cultivate or produce a crop on (land).
Farming
To cultivate, breed, or raise (plants or animals).
Farming
To pay a fixed sum in order to have the right to collect and retain profits from (a business, for example).
Farming
To turn over (a business, for example) to another in return for the payment of a fixed sum.
Farming
To engage in farming.
Farming
The business of cultivating land, raising stock etc.
Farming
A farming operation; a farm, or instance of farming on a piece of land.
Farming
Pertaining to the agricultural business.
Farming
Raising livestock or fish.
Farming
Present participle of farm
Farming
Pertaining to agriculture; devoted to, adapted to, or engaged in, farming; as, farming tools; farming land; a farming community.
Farming
The business of cultivating land.
Farming
The practice of cultivating the land or raising stock
Farming
Working the land as an occupation or way of life;
Farming is a strenuous life
There's no work on the land any more
Farming
Relating to rural matters;
An agrarian (or agricultural) society
Farming communities
Farming
Rearing of animals or fish to produce food or other products.
Fish farming has become increasingly popular due to the high demand for seafood.
Farming
The practice of tending to and cultivating a plot of land.
Organic farming avoids the use of synthetic chemicals and GMOs.
Common Curiosities
Is farming the same as agriculture?
No, farming is a specific activity within the broader realm of agriculture.
Can agriculture include activities beyond farming?
Yes, agriculture includes research, economics, and even activities like forestry.
What's the main focus of farming?
Farming primarily focuses on cultivating land and raising livestock.
Why is sustainable agriculture important?
Sustainable agriculture ensures food production without harming the environment or depleting resources.
What does agriculture encompass?
Agriculture covers the entire process and science of producing food, goods, and other related activities.
Are there challenges facing modern farming?
Yes, challenges include climate change, soil depletion, and water scarcity.
How does agriculture support biodiversity?
Through practices like crop rotation and polyculture, agriculture can support diverse ecosystems.
Can farming be done in urban areas?
Yes, through practices like urban farming or vertical farming.
How has technology impacted farming?
Technology has introduced new tools, machinery, and methods that have made farming more efficient.
Are there different types of farming methods?
Yes, including organic farming, vertical farming, and conventional farming.
Is agriculture only about food production?
No, agriculture also produces goods like fibers, medicinal plants, and biofuels.
Does agriculture influence global economies?
Yes, agriculture plays a significant role in global trade and economies.
What's the role of research in agriculture?
Research in agriculture introduces new techniques, pest control methods, and crop varieties.
Is all farming done on land?
No, there's also aquaculture, which is farming in water, primarily for fish.
Why is the distinction between agriculture and farming important?
Understanding the difference helps in grasping the larger processes behind food and goods production versus the specific act of cultivation.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
