Definitions of diversification Agricultural diversification can involve movement of resources from low-value commodities to high-value ones. It focuses mainly on horticultural, dairy, poultry and fisheries sectors. While most definitions of diversification in developing countries do work on the assumption that diversification primarily involves a substitution of one crop or other agricultural product for another, or an increase in the number of enterprises, or activities, carried out by a particular farm, the definition used in developed countries sometimes relates more to the development of activities on the farm that do not involve agricultural production. For example, one section of the British Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) defines diversification as “the entrepreneurial use of farm resources for a non-agricultural purpose for commercial gain”. Using this definition DEFRA found that 56\% of UK farms had diversified in 2003. The great majority of diversification activities simply involved the renting out of farm buildings for non-farming use, but 9\% of farms had become involved with processing or retailing, 3\% with provision of tourist accommodation or catering, and 7\% with sport or recreational activities. DEFRA, Diversification in Agriculture Others adopt a broader definition, which may include development of new marketing opportunities. Iowa Dept. of Agriculture Agricultural Diversification and Market Development Bureau In developing countries such as India, which has been one of the leaders in promoting diversification, the concept is applied both to individual farmers and to different regions, with government programmes being aimed at promoting widespread diversification. The concept in India is seen as referring to the “shift from the regional dominance of one crop to regional production of a number of crops ...... (which takes into account)..... the economic returns from different value-added crops... with complementary marketing opportunities”. Singh, Aradhana (Lead Author); Lakhdar Boukerrou and Michelle Miller (Topic Editors). Diversification in agriculture . In: Encyclopedia of Earth. Eds. Cutler J. Cleveland (Washington, D.C.: Environmental Information Coalition, National Council for Science and the Environment). (Published in the Encyclopedia of Earth November 17 , 2009; Retrieved February 22 ,  2010 ).
Definitions of diversification Agricultural diversification can involve movement of resources from low-value commodities to high-value ones. It focuses mainly on horticultural, dairy, poultry and fisheries sectors. While most definitions of diversification in developing countries do work on the assumption that diversification primarily involves a substitution of one crop or other agricultural product for another, or an increase in the number of enterprises, or activities, carried out by a particular farm, the definition used in developed countries sometimes relates more to the development of activities on the farm that do not involve agricultural production. For example, one section of the British Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) defines diversification as “the entrepreneurial use of farm resources for a non-agricultural purpose for commercial gain”. Using this definition DEFRA found that 56\% of UK farms had diversified in 2003. The great majority of diversification activities simply involved the renting out of farm buildings for non-farming use, but 9\% of farms had become involved with processing or retailing, 3\% with provision of tourist accommodation or catering, and 7\% with sport or recreational activities. Others adopt a broader definition, which may include development of new marketing opportunities. In developing countries such as India, which has been one of the leaders in promoting diversification, the concept is applied both to individual farmers and to different regions, with government programmes being aimed at promoting widespread diversification. The concept in India is seen as referring to the “shift from the regional dominance of one crop to regional production of a number of crops ...... (which takes into account)..... the economic returns from different value-added crops... with complementary marketing opportunities”. First published in the Encyclopedia of Earth November 18 , 2009; Last revised November 18 , 2009; Retrieved June 20, 2010 
D
DEFRA, Diversification in Agriculture
D
Iowa Dept. of Agriculture Agricultural Diversification and Market Development Bureau
R
Singh, Aradhana (Lead Author); Lakhdar Boukerrou and Michelle Miller (Topic Editors). Diversification in agriculture . In: Encyclopedia of Earth. Eds. Cutler J. Cleveland (Washington, D.C.: Environmental Information Coalition, National Council for Science and the Environment). (Published in the
First published in the
R
17
18
R
Retrieved February 22
Last revised November 18
A
2009; Retrieved June 20,
D
).