Introduction to Primary Activities

• Primary activities are the oldest form of economic activity, involving direct extraction or harvesting of natural resources from the Earth.
• These activities provide raw materials for industries, such as wheat for bread, wood for furniture, or iron ore for steel production.

Why Are Primary Activities Important?

• Food Supply: Agriculture and fishing provide essential food.
• Raw Materials: Crops, timber, and minerals are used in industries.
• Employment: Millions of people, especially in developing countries, depend on primary activities.

Thus, primary activities form the basis of all economies, especially in agrarian societies.

Types of Primary Activities

1. Hunting and Gathering (Oldest Form of Livelihood)

• Early humans survived by hunting wild animals and gathering fruits, nuts, roots, and leaves.
• Present-Day Hunting and Gathering: Some tribal communities still practice it, such as the Inuit in Canada and the San people in Africa.
• Limitations:
  • Provides low productivity and irregular food supply.
  • Forest destruction has reduced hunting and gathering areas.

2. Pastoralism (Animal Rearing)

Pastoralism is the practice of raising livestock for food, wool, leather, and labor. It is divided into:

A. Nomadic Herding

• Practiced in arid and semi-arid regions like the Sahara Desert, Central Asia, and Mongolia.
• Herders move seasonally in search of fresh pasture and water.
• Animals reared: Sheep, goats, yaks, reindeer, camels.
• Example: Masai tribes in Africa and Mongols in Central Asia.

B. Commercial Livestock Rearing

• Large-scale farming of animals for meat, dairy, wool, and leather.
• Common in Australia, New Zealand, Argentina, USA.
• Uses scientific breeding, modern equipment, and fixed ranches.
• Example: Cattle ranching in the USA and sheep farming in Australia.

3. Fishing (Extraction of Aquatic Resources)

• Fish is an essential source of protein and a key economic activity.
• Major Fishing Regions: North Atlantic, Pacific Ocean, and Indian Ocean.

Types of Fishing

• Inland Fishing: Fishing in lakes, rivers, and ponds. Example: India and Bangladesh.
• Marine Fishing: Fishing in seas and oceans. Example: Japan, Norway, and Peru.
• Aquaculture: Controlled fish farming in artificial ponds and tanks. Example: China leads in aquaculture production.

4. Forestry (Timber & Non-Timber Production)

• Forests provide wood, rubber, paper, medicinal plants, and fuel.
• Types of Forests Based on Use:
  • Softwood Forests: Pine, fir, spruce (used for paper, furniture).
  • Hardwood Forests: Teak, mahogany (used for construction).

5. Agriculture (Farming and Crop Production)

Agriculture is the largest primary activity, employing over 40% of the global workforce.

Types of Agriculture

1. Subsistence Agriculture

• Farmers grow food only for their families.
• Uses traditional tools and low-yield crops.
• Common in Africa, South Asia, and Latin America.

1. A. Intensive Subsistence Agriculture

   • Practiced in densely populated regions like India, China, and Indonesia.
   • Small landholdings but high productivity due to fertilizers and irrigation.
   • Crops: Rice, wheat, maize, pulses.

2. B. Primitive Subsistence Agriculture

   • Shifting Cultivation: Also called slash and burn (e.g., “Jhum” in Northeast India, “Milpa” in Mexico).
   • Nomadic Herding: Similar to pastoralism, but combined with temporary farming.

2. Commercial Agriculture

• Farmers grow crops for sale and profit, using modern technology, irrigation, and fertilizers.
• Common in developed countries like the USA, Canada, and Australia.

1. A. Extensive Commercial Agriculture

   • Large farms with low labor input and high mechanization.
   • Example: Wheat farming in the USA, Canada, and Russia.

2. B. Plantation Agriculture

   • Large estates grow a single crop for export.
   • Example:
     • Tea (India, Sri Lanka),
     • Coffee (Brazil, Ethiopia),
     • Rubber (Malaysia, Thailand).

3. C. Dairy Farming

   • Commercial dairy production of milk, cheese, butter.
   • Example: Denmark, New Zealand, and the Netherlands.

4. D. Mediterranean Agriculture

   • Found in Mediterranean-climate regions (e.g., Spain, Italy, California).
   • Crops: Olives, grapes, figs, and citrus fruits.

5. E. Market Gardening & Horticulture

   • Small-scale vegetable and fruit farming near urban markets.
   • Example: Floriculture in the Netherlands, vegetable farming in California.

Mining (Extraction of Minerals and Fossil Fuels)

Types of Mining

• Open-Cast Mining: Surface mining for coal, iron, copper.
• Underground Mining: Deep mining for gold, diamonds, and precious minerals.

Major Mining Regions

• Coal Mining: USA, China, India.
• Iron Ore: Brazil, Australia, Russia.
• Gold and Diamonds: South Africa, Russia.

Mining is essential for industrialization but causes environmental damage.

Factors Affecting Primary Activities

Primary activities depend on several natural and human factors:

Conclusion

• Primary activities include agriculture, fishing, forestry, mining, and pastoralism.
• Subsistence agriculture is for self-consumption, while commercial agriculture is for large-scale trade.
• Fishing and forestry provide essential raw materials for various industries.
• Mining is key to industrialization but has environmental challenges.
• Natural and human factors influence primary activities.

Thus, primary activities form the foundation of all economic activities, supporting food supply, industries, and trade.