advantages of subsistence farming

•    Small farms are well controlled.
•    There is use of family labour which is not paid for.
•    The farms operate at low costs so the farmer does not have to borrow capital.
•    Self employment to the unemployed.
•    There is use of little capital for the beginning.
•    It is flexible. Farmers can do what they want.
•    Mixed farming is practiced, which ensures that the farmer produces a variety of crops both for consumption and for sale.
•    In the event of a catastrophe affecting a crop, a farmer is not likely to loose much.
•    The variety of crops grown ensure that the farmer has a steady income even in the event of fluctuation of prices in markets.
•    The various crops grown on small scale holdings regulate the mineral content of the soils thus minimising soil exhaustion.