subsistence farming

or subsistence agriculture

noun

1. farming whose products are intended to provide for the basic needs of the farmer, with little surplus for marketing.
2. farming that brings little or no profit to the farmer, allowing only for a marginal livelihood.

subsistence farming

noun

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

subsistence farming

1. Farming that provides enough food for the farmer and his family but not enough for sale. By comparison, commercial farming is farming that provides products for sale.

Word History and Origins

Origin of subsistence farming¹

First recorded in 1935–40