Model Answer
0 min readIntroduction
Derwent Whittlesey, a prominent American geographer, proposed a widely recognized classification of agricultural regions in his 1936 publication, “Regional Types of Agriculture.” This classification emerged during a period of increasing interest in understanding the spatial organization of agricultural practices and their relationship to environmental and economic factors. Whittlesey’s work aimed to move beyond simply listing crops grown in different areas and instead categorize regions based on a holistic understanding of their agricultural systems, including farm size, labor input, and degree of commercialization. His classification remains a foundational concept in agricultural geography, providing a framework for analyzing global agricultural patterns.
D. Whittlesey’s Classification of Agricultural Regions
Whittlesey identified eleven distinct agricultural regions, categorized based on a combination of factors including the type of crops grown, the methods of cultivation, the intensity of land use, and the degree of commercialization. These regions are:
1. Pastoral Nomadism
- Characterized by the herding of livestock on extensive grasslands.
- Minimal cultivation; reliance on animal products for sustenance.
- Found in arid and semi-arid regions of Africa, the Middle East, and Central Asia.
2. Shifting Cultivation (Slash-and-Burn)
- Involves clearing land by cutting and burning vegetation, followed by a period of cultivation until soil fertility declines.
- Low population density; subsistence farming.
- Common in tropical rainforests of Amazonia, Southeast Asia, and Africa.
3. Intensive Subsistence Agriculture (Rice Dominating)
- High population density; small farm sizes.
- Dominance of rice cultivation, requiring significant labor input.
- Found in monsoon Asia, particularly East, South, and Southeast Asia.
4. Intensive Subsistence Agriculture (Wheat & Barley Dominating)
- Similar to rice-dominating agriculture but focused on wheat and barley.
- Found in regions with drier climates, such as parts of India, China, and the Mediterranean.
5. Commercial Grain Farming
- Large-scale cultivation of wheat, corn, and other grains for commercial purposes.
- Mechanized farming; low labor input.
- Dominant in the Prairies of North America, the Pampas of Argentina, and parts of Europe.
6. Commercial Livestock Ranching
- Extensive grazing of cattle, sheep, and goats for meat production.
- Large land holdings; low population density.
- Found in the Great Plains of North America, Argentina, and Australia.
7. Commercial Dairy Farming
- Specialized production of milk and dairy products.
- Intensive land use; high labor input.
- Concentrated in regions near urban centers in Europe, North America, and New Zealand.
8. Commercial Plantation Agriculture
- Large-scale cultivation of cash crops (e.g., tea, coffee, rubber, sugarcane) for export.
- Often associated with colonial legacies and monoculture farming.
- Found in tropical and subtropical regions of Asia, Africa, and Latin America.
9. Horticulture & Truck Farming
- Intensive cultivation of fruits, vegetables, and flowers for urban markets.
- High land values; reliance on irrigation and fertilizers.
- Located near major cities in temperate regions.
10. Forestry
- Commercial harvesting of timber for wood products.
- Sustainable forestry practices are crucial for long-term viability.
- Found in boreal forests of Canada and Russia, and temperate forests of Europe and North America.
11. Mediterranean Agriculture
- Specialized cultivation of fruits, vegetables, olives, and grapes.
- Dry summers and mild, wet winters.
- Found in regions bordering the Mediterranean Sea, California, and parts of Australia.
Whittlesey emphasized that these regions are not mutually exclusive and often exhibit transitional characteristics. He also acknowledged the dynamic nature of agricultural systems, recognizing that they are constantly evolving in response to changing environmental and economic conditions.
| Region | Dominant Activity | Climate | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pastoral Nomadism | Livestock Herding | Arid/Semi-Arid | Sahara Desert, Mongolia |
| Shifting Cultivation | Slash-and-Burn Agriculture | Tropical Rainforest | Amazon Basin, Congo Basin |
| Commercial Grain Farming | Wheat/Corn Production | Temperate | Great Plains (USA), Ukraine |
Conclusion
Whittlesey’s classification, though developed in the 1930s, provides a valuable framework for understanding the diversity of agricultural systems globally. While some regions have undergone significant changes due to technological advancements, globalization, and climate change, the underlying principles of his classification remain relevant. Modern agricultural geography builds upon Whittlesey’s work, incorporating new data and analytical techniques to address contemporary challenges such as food security, sustainable agriculture, and the impact of climate change on agricultural production. His work serves as a foundational element for understanding the complex interplay between human activity and the environment in shaping agricultural landscapes.
Answer Length
This is a comprehensive model answer for learning purposes and may exceed the word limit. In the exam, always adhere to the prescribed word count.