Agriculture refers to the production of food and fiber and
other goods through farming and forestry. Agriculture was a key development
that led to the rise in civilization rising of domesticated animals. The study
of agriculture is known as agricultural science. The related practice of
gardening is studied in horticulture. Agriculture encompasses a wide variety of
specialties. Cultivation of crops on arable land and the pastoral herding of
livestock on rangeland remain at the foundation of agriculture. In the past
century a distinction has been made between sustainable agriculture and
intensive farming. Modern agronomy, plant breeding, pesticides and fertilizers,
and technological improvements have sharply increased yields from cultivation.
Selective breeding and modern practices in animal husbandry such as intensive pigs
farming (and similar practices applied to the chicken) have similarly increased
the output of meat. The more exotic varieties of agriculture include
aquaculture and tree farming. The major agricultural products can be broadly
grouped into foods, fibers, fuels, raw materials, pharmaceuticals and illegal
drugs, and an assortment of ornamental or exotic products. In the 2000s, plants
have been used to grow biofuels, biopharmaceuticals, bioplastics, and pharmaceuticals.
Specific foods include cereals, vegetables, fruits, and meat. Fibers include
cotton, wool, hemp, silk and flax. Raw materials include lumber and bamboo.
Other useful materials are produced by plants, such as resins. Biofuels include
methane from biomass, ethanol, and biodiesel. Cut flowers, nursery plants,
tropical fish and birds for the pet trade are some of the ornamental products.
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