large‑scale agriculture
/ˈlɑːrdʒ ˈskeɪl ˈæɡrɪkʌltʃər/ · large·scale agri·cul·ture
noun
- Farming conducted on a very large area, typically employing mechanised equipment, chemical inputs and industrial organisation. The expansion of large‑scale agriculture in the Great Plains has boosted grain output but also raised concerns about soil health.
- The sector of the economy that encompasses such extensive, industrialised farming operations. Policies aimed at reducing greenhouse‑gas emissions often target large‑scale agriculture because of its significant carbon footprint.
Synonyms
industrial agriculturecommercial farmingintensive agriculturemass agricultureagribusinessmechanised farming
Antonyms
Did you know? The term "large‑scale agriculture" gained prominence during the Green Revolution of the 1960s, when high‑yield varieties and chemical inputs were promoted to dramatically increase food production worldwide.