Origin of plants and animal domestication, cost and benefits of agricultural production in relation to ingredients of beef pilau

This document explores the origin of plant and animal domestication, the cost and benefits of agricultural production, and its relation to the ingredients of beef pilau. It discusses the history of agriculture, the domestication process, and the impact of agriculture on society and the economy.

Surname 1
Student’s Name
Professor
Course
Date
Origin of plants and animal domestication, cost and benefits of agricultural production in
relation to ingredients of beef pilau.
Beef pilau is best preferred for supper in many contexts. The ingredients of the meal
include beef cubes, onions, carrots, chili powder, pilau masala, bay leaves, hot water, and
basmati rice (daawat) (Colin). The crops and animals where beef was obtained resulted from
restraining process done many years ago. Domestication involves adapting plants and animals
that are wild for the purpose of human consumption. The species were kept for uses including
clothing, food, medicine and work aside many other uses which render them unwild hence must
be cared and raised by humans (Keith 29-48)
Plant Domestication
Origin of plant domestication set down to 10,000 years ago between rivers Tigris and
Euphrates in Mesopotamia. Currently, it includes modern countries like Syria, Turkey, Iraq, and
Iran. Humans in the past depended on gathering, hunting and foraging for edible foods in places
it could be found. This led to constant motions as food sources changed, moved in cases of
animals or became limited. As a result, individuals could not settle at one place leading to a
peripatetic and survival lifestyle. However, the society changed drastically probably 12,00years
ago almost the end of ice age when agriculture started.

Surname 2
Individuals collected the seeds of wild species and planted them making sure that the
seeds grew on well-watered grounds and enough amount of sunlight. The crops were harvested
after they blossomed in weeks or months. The first species of plants to be domesticated in the
region was wheat, lentils, barley and some type of peas (William). The process was also
experienced in other parts of the world including parts of Africa, South America, Eastern Asia
and parts of south and North America. Rice was also tamed in Asia and potatoes in South
America during the ancient civilizations.
Animal domestication
Just about the same period when people domesticated plants, groups in Mesopotamia
began taming of animals to obtain meat, hides, and milk to satisfy their needs. (Klopfenstein and
Terry 175-178). Hides or skins were used to provide clothing, build shelter-tents and also storage
of produce. In this case, goats were the first animals to be tamed followed by sheep. Chickens
have also domesticated in southeast Asia almost 10,000 years ago (Sharpe and Ashley 3605-
3610). The practice proceeded to tame larger animals like horses, donkeys, and oxen used for
transportation and plowing. This came with the name "beasts of burden".
Domestication process marked a basic turning point for different groups. The choice of
the plants and animals was based on factors like their ability to be bred when tamed as well as
their level of temperament. The extent of their disease resistance and survival traits in harsh
conditions is also considered (Chen, Wenhao and Holden 597-607). Generally, this resulted in a
more inclusive agricultural way of life and sustainable civilizations where humans stopped
wandering to hunt animals and collect crops to suit their consumption needs. Agriculture formed
a platform for creation of civilizations, fight hunger that reduced population’s density as well as
curb challenges associated with change in climate. At first, farmers grew a wide variety of food
crops depending on their geographical locations. Later, changes in this system of cultivation
were experienced in the 19th century with the advent of transportations using rail. The rapid

Surname 3
transportation brought about a notable shift in methods of farming where emphasis were done on
high-yielding grains thus reduction in hunger issues.
The benefits of agricultural production enhanced food stability associated with increased
density of population. This was attributed to the predictable production of food through
cultivation. As a result, individuals participated in diverse activities like trading, communication,
and traveling.
Also, agriculture facilitated the creation of the first cities and villages which were
constructed at close proximity to the grown crops. Urbanization then resulted from the idea of
new building materials where permanent buildings were constructed to form the present-day
towns and cities. Improved technology led to the implementation of advanced agricultural tools.
Earlier, farmers utilized hand tools made from stone. Later, metal tools used for farming were
introduced mainly the ox-plows where power was harnessed from oxen in the plant field.
Costs and benefits of agricultural production
The cost of agricultural production varies with the volume of production in that higher
production is attributed to the higher cost incurred and the vice versa is true (Isbell and Forest)
The inputs can be either primary or secondary where primary costs depict the services render
whereas secondary inputs submerge to the use of the commodity. Factors like labor, capital, land,
and entrepreneurship contribute to the overall cost of cultivation. Labour consists of the number
of workers required to complete certain activities in the land. An increase in population means
more provision of manpower. Wages are the compensations given to laborers for the work they
offer either mentally or physically. Capital refers to all the human-made commodities utilized in
further wealth production. Large scale agricultural production requires higher capital to meet the

Surname 4
targets to be attained after harvesting and marketing. Small scale farming means less capital
invested in crop production.
The land is always a passive factor that is considered a free gift of nature made available
to mankind. This comprises of soil at the surface and under the earth which sustains the crops.
The soil contains the required nutrients to boost growth. However, fertilizers are supplemented to
foster vegetative growth thus contributing to the overall cost of plant production.
Entrepreneurship serves to organize other factors aside from undertaking uncertainties and risks
in an effort to obtain maximum profits.
The benefits of agricultural production include the provision of employment
opportunities in crop farms where individuals provide services in exchange for money in the
form of wages. Increased employment chances serve as a stable approach to curbing poverty
levels in a state. Agriculture serves as a source of food where different edible crop species are
propagated to satisfy peoples consumption needs. (Clark, Michael, and Tilman) Furthermore, it
serves to be the backbone of economic growth in the case of exports made to different countries
hence generating income for the state, in turn, boosting the economy. Agriculture is vital in
providing raw materials for the manufacture and processing industries.

Surname 5
Works cited
Chen, Wenhao, and Nicholas M. Holden. "Bridging environmental and financial cost of dairy
production: A case study of Irish agricultural policy." The science of The Total
Environment 615 (2018): 597-607.
Clark, Michael, and David Tilman. "Comparative analysis of environmental impacts of
agricultural production systems, agricultural input efficiency, and food
choice." Environmental Research Letters 12.6 (2017): 064016.
Dimbleby, Geoffrey William. The domestication and exploitation of plants and animals.
Routledge, 2017.
Hart, Keith. "Agrarian civilization and modern world society." Technology, Literacy and the
Evolution of Society: Implications of the work of Jack Goody (2006): 29-48.
Klopfenstein, Terry J. "By‐Product Feeds: Plant Origin." Encyclopedia of Animal Science-(Two-
Volume Set). CRC Press, 2018. 175-178.
Isbell, Forest, et al. "Benefits of increasing plant diversity in sustainable
agroecosystems." Journal of Ecology 105.4 (2017): 871-879.
Sharpe, Ashley E., et al. "Earliest isotopic evidence in the Maya region for animal management
and long-distance trade at the site of Ceibal, Guatemala." Proceedings of the National
Academy of Sciences 115.14 (2018): 3605-3610.
Tudge, Colin. Future food, politics, philosophy, and recipes for the 21st century. Harmony

Surname 6
Books, 2002.