What the difference between subsistence farming and commercial farming?

Answer 1

Subsistence Farming is when the main purpose of the farm is to grow food and other agricultural products (for instance, wool for making clothing) to meet the needs of the farming family or to barter with others for products that are not grown or made on the farm. Very little money is spent or earned in a subsistence farming enterprise.

Commercial Farming is when the main purpose of the farm is to sell agricultural products for a cash profit. Choices about what crops or animals to raise and how much to raise are determined by the market, not by the needs of the farmers and their families.

In other words,

subsistence farming: Is when farmers grow crops for the good of the own family.

commercial farming: Is when farmers grow crops and sell for others.
When produce is consumed by an individual farmer or his family, or sold or exchanged among a small group, it is known as Subsistence agriculture.

When the scale of operations are large, and the produce is grown in large quantities and are sold to larger and far- off markets, we call it Commercial Agriculture.