Agriculture:the all-time frontier

                                                     

A ranch in Kenya

Agriculture originates from a Latin Agri+cultura meaning  field and cultivation. Historians have various theories on the start of agriculture but the most commonly accepted are the independent theory and one area theory.
The independent theory states that agriculture started independently in various areas. The one area theory states that farming began in one area and then spread worldwide.

It is believed that Agriculture began in Egypt and Mesopotamia. The start of agriculture in those areas necessitated the beginning of writing styles, architecture and formation of governments among other important things.

Somewhere in between History, there arose Agrarian revolution in Europe. Lands in Europe were once owned by the noble men who rented them to peasant farmers in a system known as feudalism. At that time the farmers only produced what was enough for their families while surplus was left in the farm.

 As the Agrarian revolution began, various farming systems such as multi-cropping, mixed farming and plantation farming came about. Food production increased hence trading of surplus harvest which lead of improvement of transport systems.

 

 Governments and unions were formed to guide the production, trade and supply of food along with organization of farmers as well as traders. Most importantly Agrarian revolution led to industrial revolution. This is because of back and forward linkages in which industries provided farm inputs in the former while farms produced raw materials in the latter.

In Kenya, Agriculture plays quite a significant role towards building the economy. It contributed 17.6 % of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in the year 2013.One measure of growth of an economy is the percentage contribution of Agriculture which should decrease with increase in economic growth. 

Directly, farming is a major contributor in setting up of industries such as textiles and food processing companies. It is also an income earner for farmers and middlemen involved in Argo-trading. It enhances food security in addition to ensuring the people of the nation have proper nutrition needed for nation building. 

Indirectly it has supported the service industries such as banking and insurance. Just as a storey building has a mixture of gravel and cement for a foundation so is Agriculture to world’s economy.