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10,000 BCE
first agriculture activities were caried out
Humans shifted from hunting and gathering to farming, growing crops and raising animals. This allowed them to settle, build villages, and create societies. -
8000 BCE
Domestication of Plants and Animals
The beginning of crops like wheat, barley, and rice, as well as the breeding of animals like sheep, cattle, and pigs -
5000 BCE
development of tools and scratch plow was invented
Early tools like stone sickles and plows, followed by the invention of the wheel, helped improve farming efficiency, and a major tool was created called the scratch plow which was a simple device that was attached to an animal which pulled it and made gaps into the soil where the seeds could get put into -
3000 BCE
development of the horse collar
a padded piece of worn by a horse around its neck and shoulders, when used for pulling wagons or plows -
1000 BCE
Irrigation and Canals
The construction of irrigation systems to control water flow and improve crop yields -
500 BCE
Advanced Farming
The development of techniques like crop rotation, terracing, and the use of animal-drawn plows -
1400
The Columbian Exchange
The exchange of plants and animals between the Old World and the New World, leading to new crops and livestock in various regions -
Introduction of New Crops
The 17th century witnessed the introduction of new crops, like maize and potatoes, from the Americas, which added variety to the European diet and increased food production. -
Industrialization of farming
many new technology advances were made during this time period like steam powered tractors and threshing machines -
Increased Productivity
The introduction of synthetic fertilizers and the development of new farming techniques led to a significant increase in crop yields -
Homestead Act and Railroads
The Homestead Act of 1862 and the railroads played a crucial role in settling new lands and attracting farmers from Europe -
Rapid expansion
The number of farms in the South doubled since 1880, reaching over 2.1 million in 1900. -
Mechanization
Tractors, combines, and other machines became more common, reducing the need for manual labor and increasing the speed of farm operations -
increase of cash crop farming
More and more farmers were growing crops primarily for sale on the market rather than making it for themselves and consume it on their own -
Genetic Engineering
Plant breeding, including genetic modification, led to the development of hardier and more productive crop varieties