subsistence farming

subsistence farming

n (Agriculture) a type of farming in which most of the produce (subsistence crop) is consumed by the farmer and his or her family, leaving little or nothing to be marketed

subsist′ence farm`ing

n. farming that provides for the farm family's needs with little surplus for marketing. [1935–40]

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

subsistence farming - farming that provides for the basic needs of the farmer without surpluses for marketingfarming, husbandry, agriculture - the practice of cultivating the land or raising stock