Factors of Agricultural Production I

Agricultural Science JSS1 Third Term

WEEK 5

Factors of Agricultural Production I

Performance Objectives

Student should be able to:

     1. List the factors of agricultural production.

     2. Explain land and list its characteristics.

Content

What is Production?

According to the advance learner's dictionary, production refers to the process of growing or making food, goods or materials, especially in large quantities. It can also be referred to as all economic activities which result in the creation of goods and services.

What is Agricultural Production?

Agricultural production is the process of transforming or changing agricultural input into an output. Examples of an agricultural input is a day old chick which is taken care of until it turns out to be a matured hen or cock that can be used for egg or meat production which is the output.

Definition of Factors of Production

Factors of production refer to anything that contributes to production. It can also be referred to as resources of production. Therefore, factors of agricultural production refer to anything that contributes to the production of agricultural goods and services. The factors of agricultural production include:

1. Land

2. Labour

3. Money

4. Water

5. Entrepreneur

1. Land: Land as a factor of production is defined as all materials and forces that are supplied by nature for use in the production of goods and services. The land is a free gift of nature and its supply is fixed or limited which means that man cannot increase the amount of land available. As used in agriculture, land refers to the soil on which agricultural activities takes place. Another free gift of nature or natural resources found on land are rivers, oceans, forest, mineral resources etc. The reward for the land is RENT.

Importance of Land

1. Land is used for the cultivation of crops.

2. Land is also used for the rearing or production of livestock e.g cattle, goat, sheep etc

3. Land is used for wildlife conservation e.g game reserve.

4. Land can be used for construction purposes e.g road, railways etc

5. Land is also used for the construction of social or recreational purposes e.g school, church, stadium etc

6. Land is used for the construction of our residential buildings and industrial buildings.

7. Land is also a source of getting minerals like limestone, petroleum, tin etc

8. Land is also widely used for collateral to secure loans from banks.

Characteristics of Land

1. Land is immobile: Land is said to be immobile because it cannot be moved from one place or location to another.

2. The supply of land is fixed: This simply means that it is impossible for man to increase the quantity of land.

3. Land is free gift: Land is given freely by nature therefore it cannot be created by man.

4. Land has no cost of production: This simply means that there is no capital involved in bringing land into existence.

5. Land is heterogeneous: This means that no two parcel of land are the same in value or fertility.

6. Land varies (Variability): The quality and value of land from one place to another differs or varies as some areas of land are more fertile than others.