Why Did Agriculture First Emerge?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

, , , ,

Agricultural communities developed approximately 10,000 years ago when

humans began to domesticate plants and animals

. By establishing domesticity, families and larger groups were able to build communities and transition from a nomadic hunter-gatherer lifestyle dependent on foraging and hunting for survival.

When did agriculture start in Africa?

The first agriculture in Africa began in the heart of the Sahara Desert, which in

5200 BC

was far more moist and densely populated than today. Several native species were domesticated, most importantly pearl millet, sorghum and cowpeas, which spread through West Africa and the Sahel.

Why did agriculture emerge in Africa?

However, many scholars argue that even here,

farming began as a way to feed cattle

, not people. West Africans began to domesticate wild cattle several thousand years before they started to farm. For a group on the move, the advantage of herding cattle is obvious.

Why is there agriculture in Africa?

Agriculture forms a significant portion of the economies of all African countries, as a sector it can therefore

contribute towards major continental priorities

, such as eradicating poverty and hun- ger, boosting intra-Africa trade and investments, rapid industri- alization and economic diversification, sustainable …

Why did agriculture emerge when and where it did?

Sometime

around 12,000 years ago

, our hunter-gatherer ancestors began trying their hand at farming. … Centuries later, they switched to farming full time, breeding both animals and plants, creating new varieties and breeds. Eventually, they migrated outward, spreading farming to parts of Europe and Asia.

Why agriculture did not begin in Africa?


The north has the harsh and deadly Sahara

, which makes farming unlikely. The desert also cut off networks of communication with earlier farming societies. In fact, sub-Saharan Africans had to come up with farming independently.

Where did agriculture started in Africa?

THE INDEPENDENT ORIGIN OF AFRICAN AGRICULTURE

Farming did eventually emerge independently in West Africa at about 3000 BCE. It first appeared in

the fertile plains on the border between present-day Nigeria and Cameroon

. It is possible there finally was a “Garden of Eden” there to “trap” people into early farming.

How did agriculture change the life of early humans Class 6?

But agriculture changed their lives.

They started to grow crops at one place

. Cultivating crops and harvesting them after a certain time required them to stay at one place. Therefore, they no longer moved from one place to another in search of food, water and shelter.

What would happen if agriculture did not exist?


There will be no food for the whole country

, and it may end up very badly, People will die due to starvation, They may eat fish, eggs, chicken, but they won’t get their Vegetable requirements. Thus, leading to malnutrition, Economic stability of the country will fall down too.

Where was the first center of agriculture?

Agriculture originated in a few small hubs around the world, but probably first in

the Fertile Crescent

, a region of the Near East including parts of modern-day Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Israel and Jordan.

Which country is the best in agriculture in Africa?

Rank Country Organic Area (hectares) 1

Uganda

231,157
2 Tanzania 186,537 3 Ethiopia 164,777 4 Tunisia 137,188

Which country is the richest in Africa?


Nigeria

is the richest and most populous country in Africa. The country’s large population of 211 million is a likely contributor to its large GDP. Nigeria is a middle-income, mixed economy and emerging market with growing financial, service, communications, and technology sectors.

Is agriculture profitable in Africa?

Agriculture in Africa has a massive social and economic footprint. More than 60 percent of the population of sub-Saharan Africa is smallholder farmers, and

about 23 percent of sub-Saharan Africa’s GDP comes from

agriculture. Yet, Africa’s full agricultural potential remains untapped.

Where was agriculture started?

Agriculture was developed at least 10,000 years ago, and it has undergone significant developments since the time of the earliest cultivation. Independent development of agriculture occurred in

northern and southern China

, Africa’s Sahel, New Guinea and several regions of the Americas.

Why were early humans called first farmers?

Answer: Farming meant that

people did not need to travel to find food

. Instead, they began to live in settled communities, and grew crops or raised animals on nearby land. Sometime around 12,000 years ago, our hunter-gatherer ancestors began trying their hand at farming.

Who invented agriculture?


Egyptians

were among the first peoples to practice agriculture on a large scale, starting in the pre-dynastic period from the end of the Paleolithic into the Neolithic, between around 10,000 BC and 4000 BC.

Diane Mitchell
Author
Diane Mitchell
Diane Mitchell is an animal lover and trainer with over 15 years of experience working with a variety of animals, including dogs, cats, birds, and horses. She has worked with leading animal welfare organizations. Diane is passionate about promoting responsible pet ownership and educating pet owners on the best practices for training and caring for their furry friends.