The State of World Agriculture
Why Did Agriculture Develop?

From the earliest days of human society, life has been greatly influenced by food. The ancient tribal societies developed in one of two manners: agricultural, farming societies, or hunters and gatherers. Now, in a world where those who clung to the traditional lifestyle of hunters and gatherers are dwindling to nothing, the advantages of food production seem obvious, for in the words of Thomas Hobbes the lifestyle of hunter-gathers was "nasty, brutish, and short." However, at the earliest stages of the development of food production, the choice was not nearly as clear cut, and it has been speculated that only for today’s First World citizens has food production actually brought about a longer, more comfortable life span.(Diamond 104) So why did it develop at all?

The main reason as indicated by history is the need to support a larger, concentrated population. (Smith 105) Wild plants and animals were not a dependable source of food, and the ability to domesticate and breed them led to a larger food supply. (Tannahill 26) This basic motivation, whether chosen consciously or unconsciously, led to the domestication of different animals and crops throughout the world. Prehistoric agriculture developed mainly in the areas of the Middle East, Asia, Africa, and in Europe. One important crop, rice, was most likely first domesticated in Northern Thailand and has since "fed more people over a longer period of time than has any other crop." (Huke 2) Rice is one of many grains that were to prove important to a developing world. (Tannahill 32)

Next: What are some of the most important crops?