Theory of Agricultural Location

Introduction:

The model was developed by Johann Vonthunen in early 1800s and was translated
into English until 1966. It is also known as "concentric rings theory of agricultural
land use" It outlines an ideal state whose plan revolves around farming practices focusing on which farming makes most profit. It explains the development of agricultural towns and cities. The main aim of this theory is to show how and why agricultural land use varies with the distance from the market.

Assumptions:

1.     Land must be isotropic.

2.     The State must be isolated surrounded by unoccupied wilderness.

3.     The soil and climate must be consistent.

4.     The transport cost must be proportional to the distance.

5.     All the farmers should have equal access to transport.

6.     Farmers act to maximize the profit.

7.     Farmers are rational.

The Four Rings:

In an isolated state, Von Thunen hypothesized that a pattern of rings around the city would develop:

1. Dairying and intensive farming occur in the ring closest to the city because vegetables, fruit, milk and other dairy products must get to the market quickly as there was no refrigerator in that time.

2. Timber and firewood in the second ring because before industrialization , wood was a very important fuel for heating and cooking and wood is very hard to transport.

3. Crops in the third ring because grains last longer than diary products and are much lighter than wood.

4. Livestock in the final ring because they can walk to the central city for sale or butchering.

Modification of the Model:

It was created before factories, highways and roads. Isotropic plain and the central city received a lot of criticism. The modified model encompassed roads and rivers that might decrease transportation costs to some locations.

Criticisms:

1. The conditions described in this theory is hardly available in any region of the world.

2. It is not necessary that all types of farming systems as described by Von Thunen exists in all regions.

3. Not only physical but also social, political and cultural factor effect agricultural location.