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THE PRIMARY SECTOR: CHARACTERISTICS, ACTIVITIES AND IMPORTANCE
DEFINITION AND GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS
The primary sector comprises all economic activities that extract resources directly from nature. These activities do not involve significant industrial transformation; instead, they supply the raw materials necessary for the functioning of the secondary and tertiary sectors. Although its relative importance decreases as countries develop, it remains essential for human survival and for the functioning of the global economy.
Main characteristics:
Direct dependence on nature: Productivity depends on climatic conditions, soil quality, water availability, and biodiversity.
Seasonality: Many activities, especially agriculture and fishing, follow seasonal cycles.
Low technological intensity in traditional systems: Production methods are often manual in less developed regions, whereas developed countries use high mechanization and digitalization.
Lower added value: Products generally have a lower profit margin than manufactured goods or services.
Strategic importance: Provides food, energy, and raw materials essential for the economy.
MAIN ACTIVITIES OF THE PRIMARY SECTOR
AGRICULTURE
Agriculture involves the cultivation of plants for food, industrial uses, or raw materials.
Types of agriculture:
Subsistence agriculture:
Aimed at local consumption.
Low mechanization.
Predominant in developing countries.
Commercial or industrial agriculture:
Aimed at national and international markets.
High use of machinery, fertilizers, and biotechnology.
Examples: soybean, wheat, fruit, cotton, biofuels.
Organic or ecological agriculture:
Avoids chemical fertilizers and pesticides.
Increasingly important in advanced economies due to environmental concerns.
Challenges:
Climate change (droughts, floods).
Soil degradation.
Water scarcity.
Rural depopulation.
LIVESTOCK FARMING
This activity consists of the breeding, feeding, and management of animals for meat, milk, wool, eggs, and other products.
Types of livestock systems:
Extensive livestock farming:
Animals graze freely on large areas of land.
Lower environmental impact.
Typical in semi-arid or mountainous regions.
Intensive livestock farming:
High concentration of animals in small areas.
Requires significant investment in feed, technology, and veterinary care.
Higher productivity but greater environmental footprint.
Key species: cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, poultry, and increasingly aquaculture species like fish and crustaceans.
FISHING AND AQUACULTURE
Fishing refers to capturing species from marine or freshwater ecosystems, while aquaculture involves breeding them under controlled conditions.
Traditional fishing: Small vessels, low technology, local consumption.
Industrial fishing: Large fleets, sophisticated equipment, long-distance operations.
Aquaculture: The fastest-growing food production sector globally.
Main challenges:
Overfishing and depletion of stocks.
Environmental impact of aquaculture (pollution, invasive species).
Regulation by international agreements (EEZs, quotas).
FORESTRY
Forestry includes the management and exploitation of forests and woodlands to obtain wood, cork, resin, and other products.
Importance:
Provides raw materials for construction, paper, and energy.
Plays a crucial role in carbon capture and mitigating climate change.
Supports biodiversity.
Sustainable forestry practices are essential to avoid deforestation and degradation.
MINING
Mining consists of the extraction of minerals, metals, and fossil fuels from the subsoil.
Types of mining:
Metallic minerals: iron, copper, nickel, gold.
Non-metallic minerals: salt, phosphates, limestone.
Energy resources: coal, natural gas, petroleum.
Economic role:
Essential for industrial production and technological development.
High economic profitability but significant environmental impacts (contamination, landscape alteration).
IMPORTANCE OF THE PRIMARY SECTOR IN DIFFERENT ECONOMIES
IN LESS DEVELOPED COUNTRIES
Employs the majority of the population.
Low productivity due to limited technology.
Vulnerable to climate shocks and international price fluctuations.
IN EMERGING ECONOMIES
Gradual mechanization improves yields.
Agriculture and mining become key for export-led growth.
Rural population declines due to migration to cities.
IN DEVELOPED ECONOMIES
Represents a small percentage of GDP and employment (<5%).
Highly mechanized and efficient.
Focus on quality, sustainability, and technological innovation.
Strong dependence on global markets to import certain raw materials.
CURRENT CHALLENGES OF THE PRIMARY SECTOR
Climate change: increased droughts, heatwaves, storms, and rising sea levels.
Overexploitation of natural resources: soil degradation, deforestation, depletion of fish stocks.
Technological gap: lack of access to innovation in poorer countries.
Global market volatility: prices of agricultural and mineral commodities fluctuate strongly.
Sustainability: need for balance between productivity and environmental conservation.
THE FUTURE OF THE PRIMARY SECTOR
The sector is moving toward:
Precision agriculture (drones, GPS, real-time sensors).
Sustainable livestock systems with reduced emissions.
Resilient crops adapted to climate change.
Expansion of aquaculture to meet global protein demand.
Circular economy in forestry and biomass production.
Despite its reduced weight in advanced economies, the primary sector remains fundamental, as no society can function without food, energy, and raw materials.
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