Agricultural practices that involve relatively little capital and labor input compared to the size of the land area being farmed are classified as such. These systems typically yield lower outputs per land unit compared to intensive agricultural practices. A common example includes ranching in arid or semi-arid regions, where vast tracts of land are needed to sustain livestock due to low forage productivity.
The importance of these lower-intensity systems lies in their ability to operate in environments unsuitable for more intensive farming methods. Benefits may include preservation of certain ecosystems and lower initial investment costs for the farmer. Historically, this form of agriculture predates the widespread adoption of fertilizers, irrigation, and mechanized equipment, and it remains a vital component of food production in many parts of the world.
