Subsistence Farming – A type of agriculture producing food and materials for the benefit of the farmer and his family

To remember the meaning of the term Subsistence Farming, use the following mnemonic:

In the suburbs, you can eke out an existence (subsistence farming) if you grow your own food.

In subsistence farming, output is targeted to the survival of a family or community. No profit element is involved.

Subsistence farming today takes place mostly in developing countries, notably large parts of rural Africa and parts of Asia and Latin America.

Around two billion people (currently just over 25 per cent of the world's population) in 500 million households survive as small-scale farmers, working less than two hectares (five acres) of land.

Most of today's subsistence farmers trade some of their products, but usually for goods they need rather than profit, so their produce still only meets their day to day needs.