Regulators of Mediterranean agriculture
- Favorable climate. In the Mediterranean climate, summers are dry and winters are humid. …
- Landforms. Olives and grapes are grown in plains and lemons and apples are grown in the hills. …
- Soils. …
- Irrigation. …
- Snowfall. …
- Skilled workers. …
- Capital. …
What is the most important crop in Mediterranean agriculture?
In acreage, cereal crops are the most important in Mediterranean agriculture. Wheat, especially hard winter wheat, is the principal food grain, and barley is grown in the poorer areas. In most Mediterranean countries cereals often occupy about half the total cultivated acreage and provide enough grain for home consumption.
What are the characteristics of Mediterranean agriculture?
MEDITERRANEAN AGRICULTURE. The Mediterranean climatic region which experiences winter rain and summer d~ought has given rise to a distinctive type of agriculture. This type of farming is also found in irrigated semi-desert and desert areas in similar latitudes. Farming is intensive and highly specialised.
What foods are found in the Mediterranean diet?
Traditional Mediterranean fruit and nut crops include grapes, olives, figs, almonds, hazelnuts, pistachios, pomegranates, apricots, and citrus. One important aspect is the fat in olive and nut oils is mostly unsaturated, good for the prevention of heart disease.
How many regions in the world have Mediterranean type of Agriculture?
There are five major regions in the world having Mediterranean type of agriculture. The largest of these nearly encircles the Mediterranean Sea – and it is from there that the type derives its name. The regions having Mediterranean type of agriculture in the world are as follows:
What two products are most commonly produced from Mediterranean agriculture?
Produced crop Citrus fruits, grapes, olives, oranges, peaches, apples, figs, etc. are grown in large quantities in this region. Wine is produced from grapes and exported abroad. Some cotton is also cultivated in this region.
What is grown in Mediterranean farming?
The commodities are olives (including table olives and olive oil), grapes (including table grapes, wine and raisins), tree-nuts (primarily almonds), citrus (primarily oranges), and tomatoes (including fresh and canned tomatoes.)
How many crops are grown in Mediterranean agriculture?
The four main aspects are orchard farming, viticulture, cereal and vegetable cultivation. Products grown include: olives, pomegranates, oranges, fig, pears, grapes, etc.
Which crop is mostly cultivated in Mediterranean region?
Olive. The cultivated olive (Olea europaea, Oleaceae) is a long-lived, evergreen tree native to the Mediterranean basin. It is valued for its fruit and oil. Mediterranean countries account for around 95% of the world’s olive cultivation (8,702,000 ha).
What grows well in Mediterranean climate?
Many important fruit crops come from Mediterranean climates. Olive, pomegranate, and fig trees naturally occur there, as well as pistachios. However, other trees, such as citrus and nut trees, thrive during the winter. Give them adequate amounts of sunlight and water and they’ll grow well.
What fruits are grown in the Mediterranean?
Fruits common to the traditional Mediterranean Diet include: apples, apricots, avocados, cherries, clementines, dates, figs, grapefruits, grapes, melons, nectarines, olives, oranges, peaches, pears, pomegranates, strawberries, tangerines, tomatoes.
Are potatoes grown in the Mediterranean?
In Mediterranean regions, potatoes are commonly planted in light-textured, well-drained soils in the early winter season and harvested 3–4 months later in the spring.
Where is Mediterranean farming used?
Mediterranean agriculture is that type found in the areas surrounding the Mediterranean Sea which have mild, wet winters and hot, dry summers, and also in those areas elsewhere with a similar climate – central and southern California, central Chile, the south west of Cape Province, the south west of Western Australia …
Why Mediterranean agriculture is more beneficial agriculture?
4. Olives and figs are produced in this region. 5. The advantage of Mediterranean agriculture is that more valuable crops such as fruits and vegetables are grown in winters when there is great demand in European and north American Markets.
What is the Speciality of Mediterranean type of agriculture?
Viticulture or grape cultivation is a speciality of the Mediterranean region. (iii)Best quality wines in the world with distinctive flavours are produced from high quality grapes in various countries of this region. (iv)The inferior grapes are dried into raisins and currants. This region also produces olives and figs.
Why is Mediterranean region famous for the production of fruits?
Mediterranean trees adapt themselves to dry summers with the help of their thick barks and wax-coated leaves which help them reduce transpiration. Mediterranean regions are known as ‘Orchards of the world’ for their fruit cultivation. There isn’t much wildlife here.
What is grape cultivation?
Viticulture or grape cultivation is typical of the Medi terranean regions. It calls for a highly intensive form of farming. Not only good conditions of moisture, tempera ture and soil are required, but much personal care is also called for, if the grapes are to be of high quality.
Where are raisins grown?
Raisins or currants are inferior grapes which have been dried. Greece, Turkey and California are the major exporters of raisins. Inciden tally, California accounts for four-fifths of all the grapes grown in the United States. It supplies mainly table grapes and raisins.
Where does Champagne come from?
Here there is even more distinct specialisation: the sparkling Champagne comes from the Paris basin; Burgundy from the limestone scarplands of the Cote d’Or; Claret, Brandy (Cognac), Barsac and Bordeaux from different parts of western France, especially the basin of Aquitaine.
Summary
Mediterranean agriculture is that type found in the areas surrounding the Mediterranean Sea which have mild, wet winters and hot, dry summers, and also in those areas elsewhere with a similar climate – central and southern California, central Chile, the south west of Cape Province, the south west of Western Australia and the southern part of South Australia.
Access options
Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)
What are the crops grown in the Mediterranean?
The warm and sunny Mediterranean climate also allows a wide range of other food crops and green vegetables to be harvested. Beans, lentils, onions, tomatoes, carrots, sugar beet and all the leafy vegetables of the warm temperate latitudes are grown.
What is the most important food crop in the Mediterranean?
In acreage, cereal crops are the most important in Mediterranean agriculture. Wheat, especially hard winter wheat, is the principal food grain, and barley is grown in the poorer areas. In most Mediterranean countries cereals often occupy about half the total cultivated acreage and provide enough grain for home consumption.
What fruits are best adapted to the Mediterranean climate?
Citrus fruits (oranges, lemons, grapefruits), olives and figs, which have long, wide-spreading roots, scant foliage and fruits with thick skins are best adapted to the Mediterranean type of climate where annual precipitation can be as low as 380—635 mm (15—25 inches) and where summer droughts may last for more than six months.
Why is Mediterranean agriculture unique?
Mediterranean agriculture is unique because it is a mixture of diverse bio-cultural activities (both animal husbandry and crop farming) that has developed in five major world regions. This type of agriculture is determined by climatic conditions, which exert such an influence that both traditional and commercial agriculture flourish …
What is grape cultivation?
Viticulture or grape cultivation is a speciality of the Mediterranean region. It represents a very intensive form of farming requiring not only good conditions of moisture, temperature and soil but also much personal care, if the grapes are to be of high quality.
What is the Mediterranean lands?
The Mediterranean lands are also known as ‘orchard lands of the world’. (iii) The land use in these areas is dependent on such factors as the total annual amount of rainfall, length of summer drought, availability of melting snow, local soil conditions, and price fluctuations in local and world market.
What are the characteristics of Mediterranean agriculture?
Characteristics: (i) The natural setting that lends itself to Mediterranean agriculture is distinguished by erratic rainfall, mild temperatures, irregular topography, and nearness to large water bodies. (ii) In this type, farming is intensive, highly specialised and varied in the kinds of crops raised. Subsistence agriculture occurs side by side …
Introduction
Agriculture has been a source of livelihood for a long time. In modern times the dependence on agriculture has decreased but most of the developing countries are still more dependent on agriculture. Climate factors have an overall effect on a region’s agricultural system.
What is Mediterranean agriculture?
The agro-climatic system in the countries of the world’s Mediterranean climate that combines livestock farming and market-based multi-crop farming is known as Mediterranean agriculture (3). Subsistence farming, market gardening, and commercial farming are three types of agriculture that can be observed in such agricultural systems.
Distribution
This agricultural system has been developed in the Mediterranean climate of the world. There has been a combination of livestock farming and market gardening. Mediterranean agriculture is mostly observed in 19 countries on the Mediterranean coast of Europe, Asia, and Africa.
Regulators of Mediterranean agriculture
The Mediterranean climate is mainly ideal for fruit production. This agricultural system is greatly affected by climate, topography, and other elements of the environment. The reason why the Mediterranean climate is ideal for the agricultural system are:
Interesting features
In this agricultural system, along with crop production, farmers also make a living by livestock farming.
Produced crop
The sunny weather and low rainfall in the Mediterranean climate are particularly conducive to the production of wheat and other cereals. But due to the lack of wide plains, excess wheat is not produced in this region. Citrus fruits, grapes, olives, oranges, peaches, apples, figs, etc. are grown in large quantities in this region.
Economical uses
The Mediterranean region is known as the world’s fruit baskets. This agricultural system has become famous all over the world for the production of wheat and fruits. So the economic use of this agricultural system is much higher.
What are some examples of Mediterranean vegetation?
Mediterranean vegetation examples include the following: Evergreen trees: such as bay laurel, pine, cypress, and oak. Deciduous trees: such as sycamore, oak, and buckeyes.
Which region has the most Mediterranean climate?
The largest area with a mediterranean climate is the Mediterranean Basin, which has given the climate its name, although stretches of the Mediterranean coast (in Egypt, Libya and part of Tunisia) are too dry to be thus classified.
How long does it take for foxtail millet to grow?
Foxtail millet is an annual grass crop, up to 1.5 m in height, and one of the most water efficient (250-300 mm per crop), short term (60-70 days), warm weather crops which can be used as a “catch” crop, planted after another crop has failed. The grain can be cooked whole or ground into flour….
Where did the Italian gourd originate?
Italian Edible Gourd/Cucuzzi. This ItalianEdible Gourd, long cultivated in Italy, is believed to have its origin in India. The parent species, the Bottle Gourd, Lagenaria siceraria, is believed to have its origin in Africa. Squash and Gourds …
Where is the Mediterranean climate located?
Mediterranean-climate regions are found, roughly speaking, between 31 and 40 degrees latitude north and south of the equator, on the western side of continents.
Is agriculture arid or dry?
In every region of the world it is necessary to find or develop appropriate techniques for agriculture. A large part of the surface of the world is arid, characterized as too dry for conventional rain fed agriculture. Yet, millions of people live in such regions, and if current trends in…
Is chickpea a cool season crop?
Chickpea is a very drought-tolerant, nitrogen-fixing, cool season crop that tolerates heat during fruiting and ripening. It is grown as a cool season annual in a broad belt through the Mediterranean region to the subtropical and tropical regions of Asia, Europe, Central, and South America.
What are the main crops in the Mediterranean?
Traditional Mediterranean fruit and nut crops include grapes, olives, figs, almonds, hazelnuts, pistachios, pomegranates, apricots, and citrus. One important aspect is the fat in olive and nut oils is mostly unsaturated, good for the prevention of heart disease.
What are the Mediterranean diets?
Grains, legumes, fruits, vegetables, olive oil, wine, seeds, and tree nuts are a part of the “Traditional Healthy Mediterranean Diet Pyramid” ( Fig. 1 ), a diet now associated with the good health and high adult life expectancy of the Mediterranean people (Sacks 1995). Traditional Mediterranean fruit and nut crops include grapes, olives, figs, …
What are some examples of multi-purpose plants?
Some, such as carob and cactus pear, make a significant contribution to carbohydrate intake to local diets; these multi-purpose plants have a wide range of uses in medicine, industry or agriculture, agroforestry and soil conservation, and for production in marginal lands in semi-arid environments.
What countries produce Mandarins?
World production of mandarins is currently increasing; the commercial crop in 1993 was 9,570,000 t, 12.5% of the total world citrus production (FAO 1993). Spain and Japan each account for 16% of the world production.
Where did figs originate?
Fig. The fig ( Ficus carica, Moraceae) probably originated in Western Asia, and spread to the Mediterranean. Today, the fig is a moderately important world crop, with an estimated annual production of one million tons of fruit (Sadhu 1990). Approximately 40% of this crop is sold as dried fruit.
Where are Mandarins grown?
The mandarin ( Citrus reticulata, Rutaceae) is the largest and most varied group of edible citrus. It is a native of China and Southeast Asia, and was known and extensively planted in China and Japan in the 16th century, but was not introduced to Europe and North America until the 19th century (Webber 1967; Saunt 1990). World production of mandarins is currently increasing; the commercial crop in 1993 was 9,570,000 t, 12.5% of the total world citrus production (FAO 1993). Spain and Japan each account for 16% of the world production. Other major producers in descending order of production are China (8%), Brazil (7%), Korea (6.5%), Italy (5%), United States (4.7%), and Morocco (4%). While production by Japan has decreased around 40% over the last decade, that of Mediterranean countries has increased by 50% (Saunt 1990; Ferguson 1992).
When are olives picked?
Olives are picked late in autumn or winter, as the oil content and fruit characteristics change with ripening. Olive cultivars usually fall into one of two commercial uses (Jacoboni and Fontanazza 1981; Barranco and Rallo 1984; Tous and Romero 1993): “Oil” and “Table.”. “Oil” cultivars predominate.
