• Four stages of agricultural development
• Drawbacks to the rise of agriculture
• The future of agriculture

The development of agriculture—the raising of crops and animals for food—has been fundamental to the development of civilization. Farming brought about the settlement of farm communities, which grew into towns and city-states. Farming also made possible sedentary (settled) lifestyles, which in turn led to increased technological development. As growing populations demand an ever-increasing food supply, the need for agricultural advances continues to this day.

Four stages of agricultural development

Agriculture advanced in four major stages that were closely linked with other key historical periods. The...