At its core, agriculture is the foundation of human civilization. It鈥檚 responsible not only for the food we eat but also for the stability of economies, the preservation of ecosystems, and the health of communities around the world. It helps sustain global populations and drives innovation in sustainability and technology. Agriculture plays a far more critical role than many realize. In this article, we鈥檒l explore the many ways agriculture shapes our daily lives and why its importance continues to grow in today鈥檚 changing world.
What Is Agriculture?
Agriculture dedicates science, art, skill, tradition, and, of course, hard work to the practice of cultivation. Its goals are to sustain human life, produce natural resources, create agricultural products, and fuel the economy. Agriculture practices include farming, ranching, aquaculture, agroforestry, and horticulture.
According to the (NAICS), the agriculture industry encompasses several different agricultural sectors, including:
- Farming and Ranching
- Apiculture (beekeeping)
- Aquaculture
- Hunting and fishing
- Industrial forestry and logging
- Agricultural support services (i.e., trucking operations, equipment sales, and equipment repair)
Agricultural businesses typically operate farms, ranches, and other agricultural land. These businesses purchase equipment and supplies, hire employees, and drive the development of new production methods and technologies.
Why Is Agriculture Important?
Agriculture imparts countless benefits to the world and our lives, and these benefits highlight the importance of agriculture as a science, art, practice, and tradition.
The following are some of the most significant benefits of agriculture:
It Feeds the World
, marked the day the world’s population reached 8 billion, and it’s projected to reach 9 billion by 2037. Without agriculture, food security would be impossible, and global hunger would skyrocket. As the global population continues to grow, the role of agriculture becomes even more critical, requiring innovation and resilience to ensure that nutritious, affordable food remains accessible to all.
Agriculture doesn鈥檛 just feed, it connects communities across continents. Although agriculture produces enough food to feed the global population, distribution remains a challenge. Ensuring that agricultural outputs reach people in food-insecure regions requires efficient supply chains, reduced food waste, and equitable trade policies. Fortunately, global efforts in innovation, policy reform, and community-led initiatives are making meaningful strides toward a more equitable and nourished world.
It’s a Source of Raw Materials
In addition to producing food, agriculture also produces raw materials to feed countless supply chains around the world. Some raw materials, such as minerals, coal, and steel, are not agricultural. However, agriculture produces several additional materials, such as lumber, herbs, natural fibers, corn-derived chemicals, pharmaceutical ingredients, rubber, and latex. These raw materials produce products like fuel, adhesives, construction materials, textiles and fabrics, paints and coatings, paper, cosmetics, personal care products, and medicine.
Thanks to these raw materials, countless industries, manufacturers, and businesses rely on agriculture to provide the materials that support their supply chains, production, and business operations.
It Supports the Economy
Agriculture’s production of raw materials and subsequent tie to other sectors directly link it to economic development. It supports a variety of industries and businesses while promoting job growth and providing opportunities for global trade. Agriculture is good for economies in both developed and developing countries.
Despite a significant decline since the peak of 6.8 million farms in 1935, 1.88 million farms still called the United States home in 2024, according to data from the . In 2024, those farms produced in net farm income.
Despite the industry’s decline in the U.S., agriculture still has a significant impact on the U.S. economy, as it contributes to the gross domestic product (GDP), creates jobs, and supports countless adjacent industries. In 2023, agriculture, food, and other closely related industries combined to contribute about $1.537 trillion to the United States’ GDP, according to data from the . In 2023, 782,400 individuals worked in the agricultural industry, according to the .
Agriculture and Its Environmental Impact
Agriculture has had a significant impact on the environment, which has increased and accelerated along with the industry’s growth and technological development. The increased use of farming equipment, pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers has increased crop yields, but it has also had a on the environment. These farming practices have contributed to water and soil pollution while also harming wildlife.
Other of industrialized agriculture include:
- Deforestation or Different Land Use – The expansion of farmland repurposes the existing land, reducing native habitats.
- Reduced Biodiversity – The loss of natural habitat reduces resources for native wildlife and increases their competition, putting stress on local populations. Additionally, the use of pesticides and herbicides also negatively impacts native wildlife.
- Soil Degradation – Intensive farming can lead to soil erosion, nutrient depletion, and chemical contamination.
- Water Pollution – Agricultural runoff contains harmful chemicals that can be carried into nearby waterways and water supplies. This can harm aquatic life and contaminate drinking water. Additionally, irrigation systems in certain areas can result in the overuse of water, leading to scarcity that stresses the local ecosystem.
Feeding and Protecting the World with Good Stewardship and Sustainable Agriculture
Agriculture doesn’t have to harm the environment. With proper practices, sustainable agriculture can protect the environment, support healthy habitats, and feed the world.
Sustainable agriculture focuses on three goals:
- Responsible stewardship of land, water and air.
- Good quality of life for farmers, ranchers, agricultural workers, and farming communities.
- Generating profits over the long term.
It aims to support healthy soil, prevent erosion, manage water responsibly, minimize pollution, increase weather resilience, and promote biodiversity. To achieve these goals, uses a variety of practices, such as:
- Soil Health Management – Farmers practice crop rotation (alternating different crops) in the same areas through different growing seasons to improve soil quality and structure while reducing disease buildup and pests.
- Using Integrated Pest Management – Integrated pest management is a multifaceted approach to reducing and even entirely deterring pests. It involves natural methods (such as predators, beneficial insects, and plant-based deterrents) in addition to more specifically targeted applications of pesticides to reduce their overall use.
- Biodiversity and Ecosystem Integration – Integrating crops and livestock with agroforestry practices helps create a more balanced and self-sustaining agricultural operation, with each element supporting the others. These integrations help promote increased pollination, better animal habitats, improved soil health, natural fertilizers, and natural pest control.
- Water Management – These practices focus on using more responsible, safe, and efficient irrigation systems designed to minimize water waste and prevent water pollution. Additionally, sustainable water management strives to harvest water through rain collection, storage, and irrigation systems.
Valued at $21.7 billion in 2024, the is predicted to reach $59.3 billion by 2034. As the demand for sustainable agriculture continues to grow, the industry will too, and this will drive growth throughout the industry as sustainable practices improve and new technologies are developed.
Inspired by the Importance of Agriculture? Cultivate the World with Sustainable Practices
Those working in, supporting, and innovating the agriculture industry directly contribute to feeding the world, and they can help protect it, too, if they apply sustainable agriculture practices. At 91桃色视频, we and our students are committed to sustainability, protecting the environment, and promoting an all-around better future here on Earth.
We offer robust and supportive graduate degree program in Sustainable Food Systems. By choosing to study and earn your Master of Professional Science Degree at Unity, you can dedicate the future of your career to responsible stewardship while achieving a responsible balance between profit-driven agriculture and the protection of our world’s ecosystems.
Start your future at the start of next term 鈥� apply today!
