Subsistence agriculture is a type of farming that is practiced by small-scale farmers who grow crops to meet the needs of themselves and their families on smallholdings . The farmers target farm output for survival and for mostly local requirements, with little or no surplus. Planting decisions occur principally with an eye toward what the family will need during the coming year, and only secondarily toward market prices . There are four main types of subsistence farming: shifting agriculture, sedentary farming, nomadic herding, and intensive subsistence farming .
hifting agriculture is a type of subsistence farming that involves clearing a patch of forest land by a combination of felling (chopping down) trees and burning them. The ashes from the burned trees provide the soil with nutrients, which allows crops to grow for a few years. Once the soil is depleted, the farmer moves on to another patch of land and repeats the process .
edentary farming is a type of subsistence farming that involves cultivating crops on a permanent plot of land. The farmer uses the same plot of land year after year, and the soil is replenished with nutrients through crop rotation and other techniques .
Nomadic herding is a type of subsistence farming that involves raising animals such as cattle, sheep, and goats. The herders move their animals from place to place in search of food and water. This type of farming is common in arid and semi-arid regions where the soil is not suitable for crop cultivation .
Intensive subsistence farming is a type of subsistence farming that involves cultivating a small plot of land using simple tools and techniques. The farmer grows crops such as rice, wheat, and maize, and the yield is just enough to feed the farmer’s family. This type of farming is common in densely populated areas where land is scarce .