Primary sector

Primary Sector

The Primary Sector of an economy involves all activities related to the extraction and production of natural resources. This includes activities such as agriculture, mining, forestry, fishing, and oil extraction. The primary sector is often the largest sector of an economy in developing countries, and it plays a significant role in developed countries as well.

Overview

The primary sector is the first step in the chain of production. The goods that are harvested or extracted from the Earth are used in the secondary sector and they are turned into finished goods. The primary sector is often the most important in less-developed countries, and typically less important in industrial countries.

Agriculture

Agriculture is the cultivation of plants and rearing of animals to produce food, feed, medicinal plants, and other products used to sustain and enhance human life. It includes both subsistence farming, where farmers grow only enough food to feed their families, and commercial agriculture, which is aimed at the mass production of food and other plant products.

Mining

Mining is the extraction of valuable minerals or other geological materials from the Earth. The mining industry can have a significant impact on the environment, and it is regulated in many countries.

Forestry

Forestry is the science and craft of creating, managing, using, conserving, and repairing forests, woodlands, and associated resources for human and environmental benefits.

Fishing

Fishing is the activity of trying to catch fish, which can be done in the wild, or using techniques like aquaculture and fish farming.

Oil Extraction

Oil extraction is the process of extracting oil from the earth. This can be done using a variety of methods, including drilling and fracking.

See Also

• Secondary sector
• Tertiary sector
• Quaternary sector