The term ”Agriculture” is derived from the Latin word “ager’or “agri” meaning “soil” and “cultura” meaning cultivation.
So, Agriculture means the cultivation of the soil. But in reality agriculture is NOT confined in soil cultivation alone; it includes all aspects of crop production, livestock farming, fisheries forestry etc.
“Agriculture is the science and art of farming including the work of cultivating the soil, producing crops, planting forest plants/trees, raising livestock and rearing fishes.”
The Greek “geoponic” (cultivation in earth), “hydroponic”
(Cultivation in water) and “aeroponic” (cultivation in air) refer to the three main spheres of agriculture.
Definition of Agriculture by Monteith’s (1958):
“Agriculture is an exploitation of solar energy made possible by an adequate supply of water and nutrients to maintain plant growth.”
The word agriculture thus may be expanded as-
“Activities on the Ground for Raising Integrated Crops for Uplifting Livelihood Through the Use of Rechargeable Energies.”