The Agricultural Revolution began during the Neolithic transition, around 8,000 BCE, in the Fertile Crescent of the Middle East. During this period, nomadic hunter-gatherers began to practice agriculture, domestication of animals, and growing crops. The domestication of animals and the cultivation of plants were two of the major advances that allowed people to transition from hunter-gatherers to farmers.
Farmer’s were able to produce food surpluses that allowed populations to increase. This rise in population allowed humans to expand into more areas, leading to the spread of agriculture. People were also able to develop more goods and services such as pottery and art. The development of goods and services is what lead to the beginning of cities, trade and civilizations.
By the beginning of the Industrial revolution, the Agricultural Revolution was in full swing. The use of mechanical equipment, such as the threshing machine and the steam engine, allowed farmers to increase production and efficiency. Not only did these machines improve yields, they also allowed farmers to grow more varieties of crops and livestock. This diversification allowed farmers to make more money, which lead to more economic growth.
As prosperity began to increase, the Agricultural Revolution also provided the foundation for technological advancements. New tools and techniques were developed, such as the use of pesticides, fertilizer, hybrid seeds and crop rotation. These advances allowed for even greater crop yields and helped farmers to increase their profits. They also allowed for the development of new medicines and advances in medicine.
The Agricultural Revolution marks the end of hunting and gathering societies, as well as the beginning of domestication and cultivation. This period marks the beginning of cities, trade and civilizations, as well as advances in technology and medicine. The Agricultural Revolution has been essential in shaping the world we know today; it provided the foundation for many of the advances we have made in the field of agriculture, medicine and technology.
