Agriculture during the industrial revolution, 1700–1850

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Abstract
British agriculture developed in a distinctive manner that made important contributions to economic growth. A broad chronological and geographical perspective is needed for an assessment of British agriculture during the industrial revolution. In the eighteenth century, there was a consensus that enclosure and large-scale farming raised output. Farm output went up for two reasons: the land, labour and capital used by agriculture increased, and those inputs generated more output owing to improvements in farm methods and organisation. The history of outputs and inputs implies that productivity grew from 1700 to 1850. Over that period, land grew 37 per cent, labour 16 per cent and capital 93 per cent. Agricultural productivity rose because output increased and employment per acre declined. Even if enclosure was not of great importance in boosting output or efficiency, it is possible that agricultural change in toto made an important contribution to economic development.

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