Agricultural revolution facts for kids

An Agricultural Revolution means a time of big changes in how people grow food. These changes often lead to huge shifts in society, like how people live, where they live, and how their economies work. There have been several important agricultural revolutions throughout history.

What is the First Agricultural Revolution?

The first major change in farming was the === Neolithic Revolution === The Neolithic Revolution happened about 10,000 years ago. Before this time, humans mostly hunted animals and gathered wild plants for food. But then, people started to learn how to grow their own crops and raise animals. This was a massive change!

How did the Neolithic Revolution change lives?

• People no longer had to move around constantly to find food.
• They could settle down in one place and build permanent homes.
• This led to the creation of villages, which eventually grew into towns and cities.
• It was the very beginning of human civilization as we know it.

Because it was such a fundamental shift, it is often called the First Agricultural Revolution.

How did Farming Change in the 20th Century?

Another big change in farming was the === Green Revolution === The Green Revolution began around 1945 and continues today. This revolution was all about using modern science and technology to grow much more food.

What made the Green Revolution happen?

• Scientists developed new types of crops that could produce more food.
• Farmers started using industrial fertilizers, which are special chemicals that help plants grow better.
• New ways of irrigating (watering) fields and controlling pests were introduced.

These changes helped to greatly increase the amount of food the world could produce. It was very important for feeding the growing global population.

Other Important Agricultural Revolutions

Besides these two global revolutions, there were also other significant changes in farming in different parts of the world.

Muslim Agricultural Revolution

The Muslim Agricultural Revolution took place around the 10th century. During this time, in the lands ruled by Islamic empires, new farming methods and crops were introduced and spread widely.

What was special about the Muslim Agricultural Revolution?

• New crops like rice, sugarcane, and citrus fruits were brought to new regions.
• Advanced irrigation systems, like water wheels and canals, were developed and improved.
• Farmers learned better ways to manage soil and rotate crops.

These improvements led to more food, which helped cities grow bigger and stronger during the Islamic Golden Age. It also brought major changes to the economy.

British Agricultural Revolution

The British Agricultural Revolution happened in Britain during the 18th century. This period saw many new ideas and inventions that made farming much more efficient.

How did farming change in Britain?

• New tools and machines, like the seed drill, made planting easier and faster.
• Farmers started to enclose common lands, creating larger, more efficient farms.
• New methods of breeding livestock (farm animals) led to bigger and healthier animals.

These changes meant that fewer people were needed to work on farms. Many people moved to cities looking for work, which helped to kickstart the Industrial Revolution.

Scottish Agricultural Revolution

The Scottish Agricultural Revolution also occurred in the 18th century, similar to the one in Britain. It brought many of the same farming improvements to Scotland.

What was an effect of the Scottish Agricultural Revolution?

• New farming techniques and land management practices were adopted.
• This led to a process known as the "Lowland Clearances". This meant that many small farmers and tenants were moved off their land to make way for larger, more modern farms or for sheep grazing.

See also

In Spanish: Revolución agraria para niños