Factors Influencing Agriculture: Human factors - Form 1 Agriculture Notes

• Introduction
• Human Factors
  • Level of Education and Technology
  • Human Health/HIV-AIDS
  • Economy
  • Government Policy
  • Transport and Communication:
  • Cultural Practices and Religious Beliefs:
  • Market Forces:

Introduction

Agricultural production is influenced by external factors which include

• Human factors
• Biotic factors
• Climatic factors
• Edaphic factors

Human Factors

These are human characteristics which affect the way decisions are made and operations carried out.

Level of Education and Technology:

• Skills
• Technological advancements

Human Health/HIV-AIDS:

- These affect the strength, the vigour, vision and the determination to work.
- HIV/AIDS is the biggest threat to human health today and has long lasting effects on agriculture, such as;

• Shortage of farm labour.
• Loss of family support.
• Low living standards leading to despondency and hopelessness.
• Increased criminal activities.
• More time spent by the Government and NGO's in Carring for the sick.

Economy;

- Stability in the countries' economy affect agricultural production.

Government Policy:

- These are governmental laws which have been enacted to protect farmers, land and livestock.

- They include:

• Food policy
• Policies on control of livestock parasites and diseases.
• Policies on marketing of both local and export products and others.

Transport and Communication:

- For agricultural goods to move from the farm to the consumers.

Cultural Practices and Religious Beliefs:

- These activities hinder important changes in a society that may bring agricultural development.

Market Forces:

- Demand and supply forces which affect prices of commodities in a free market.