The primary sector, refers to the various economic activities that are taken from nature to manufacture the raw material in order to be used in direct consumption, in the same way this sector produces products that can later be transformed into various products.
The different activities carried out within this sector are linked to obtaining the raw material that is directed to industry or consumption from natural resources. This means that the primary products are not elaborated, since they have to go through a certain process that transforms them into goods.
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Because there is no type of product elaboration in the primary sector activities, there is only the collection from the natural environment, they are only part of the economy of the various underdeveloped countries.
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In this article you will find:
Characteristics of the primary sector
The characteristics of the primary sector are classified as follows:
- It is obtained directly from the natural resource.
- It covers the main needs so that people can subsist.
- Provides food for humans and certain animals to consume.
- They generally go to the secondary sector to be transformed into products.
- It is considered one of the oldest economic activities.
- It is dependent on factors such as soil and climate.
Examples of Primary Sector Activities
The primary sector activities, It is one of the economies practiced by the human being with the longest time. Among the main ones are:
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1. The Agriculture
These are the activities that are related to the agricultural sector. They are based on the exploitation of the soil, therefore, it is necessary to use large areas of land or surfaces to carry out the crops that will also depend on the condition of the climate and a fertile soil for the crop to develop effectively.
This sector is fundamental, since they are used to generate products of great need in the consumption of food by humans and animals. Agriculture has not been practiced since the origin of man, it began to be practiced during the Neolithic period and from there the activities have managed to increase a technological evolution. It is classified in:
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- Rainfed agriculture: This takes advantage of the low humidity of the soil for the cultivation of cereals.
- Irrigated agriculture: It is based on the production of plants that have to be watered so that they can grow, as is the case with vegetables and fruits.
2. The cattle
It consists of the activity of raising livestock for the exploitation and sale of meat, skins or milk. You need less fertile land, but with abundant grass. The various types of livestock depend on the animals to be raised, among them are:
- Vaccine: Breeding of cows, bulls and oxen.
- Swine: Pig farming.
- Farm animals: Breeding of rabbits, birds, horses and donkeys.
- Goat: Goat farming.
- Sheep: Sheep farming.
3. Forestry
It refers to the planting of various trees to generate rubber and wood, which has been one of the main products of the economy worldwide, due to its multiple uses such as the manufacture of furniture and paper.
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4. Mining
It is responsible for the exploitation of minerals such as zinc, gold, silver, copper and molybdenum, among others. In this activity there are three classifications according to the extraction of the mineral, these are:
- Quarry mining: Where a large number of materials such as emerald, granite, clay and marble are extracted to be used in jewelry and constructions.
- Metallurgical mining: Where different metals such as iron, silver, aluminum and gold are extracted.
- Energy minerals and fuel: Where oil, coal and natural gas are extracted, which are used as raw material to be used in electrical energy.
5. Fish farming and fishing
Its main activity is fish farming in order to reproduce it and use it as food. In the case of fishing, it is one of the oldest forms of human existence.
6. The hunt
In hunting are all activities of hunting wild animals to be consumed and for the sale of food and skins.
7. Beekeeping
It is the activity that includes the breeding of bees for the production of wax and honey. People learned to control bees since Neolithic times and since then this activity began.
8. The oil
It is a hydrocarbon and is usually the basis of the economic system of many countries.
9. Aquaculture
They are the various techniques that are applied in the breeding and care of various aquatic animal and plant species such as:
- Trout, carp and salmon.
- Mollusks such as mussels, scallops, clams, and oysters.
- Fish and invertebrate animals such as sea bass, croaker, eel, dorado, turbot and cod, among others.
- Production of plants such as algae.
- Tropical species such as Australian lobster, tilapia, pacú or shrimp.
8 Examples from the primary sector
For a better understanding, here are some examples from the primary sector:
- Fish farming: They are used as raw material to be consumed.
- Planting and harvesting: It is based on the collection of vegetables, greens and fruits.
- Livestock breeding and reproduction: It is used to market beef, bulls, oxen and pigs, among others.
- Sheep farming: Allows manufacturers to make fabrics and wools.
- Logging: Through this activity it is possible to extract the wood that is in its natural state in the forests to be used in the industries.
- Seed collection: These are sold to carry out the plantings.
- Tree sowing: To later be cut down in order to make varieties of furniture.
- Mining exploitation: With this activity you can make various types of jewelry.
The realization of primary sector activities, are fundamental and important for people, since they serve to help in the production of all kinds of materials premiums, to later be used in the secondary sector where different products will be made to be consumed by the population.
