Rainfed Farming (crops)

Levels at a glance

	Level	Cost	Build time	Minimum settlement	Upgrades to		Level	Cost	Build time	Minimum settlement	Upgrades to
	Land Clearance (Crops)	1,200	3	town	Contour Furrows (Crops)		Contour Furrows (Crops)	2,400	4	large town	Runoff Water Collection (Crops)
	Runoff Water Collection (Crops)	4,200	6	city	Crop Rotation (Crops)		Crop Rotation (Crops)	6,400	8	large city	Great Estates (Crops)
	Great Estates (Crops)	8,600	10	huge city	—

Costs in denarii, build time in turns.

Land Clearance (Crops)

Clearing the land to make basic fields for crops

Now that the land has been cleared and level fields created, the real work of feeding the people begins. This land can provide enough food for a modest town. But occasional droughts or heavy rainstorms may cause failed harvests. If the community seeks a more stable food supply, further improvements will be necessary.

Note: Some levels may have both positive and negative growth modifiers due to modding limitations. All effects apply, so +3 growth and -0.5 growth means +2.5 total growth.

Strategy

Rainfed farming is a good growth option but loses out to irrigated farming on higher tiers. Potential is limited for factions unable to build great estates. Its farming bonus (+1 = +80 income & +0.5 growth) is increased in particularly wet climates (oceanic, temperate, continental). When built in Northern Europe, tiers 1&2 are as good as irrigated farming at a lower price. It gains additional bonus if the region has grain or sulphur (tiers 3-5). Rainfed farming offers a trade bonus for cash crops (fruits, olives, grapes, flax), increased at tier 5. At tiers 4-5, the slave trade hub resource enables a tax bonus.

Availability

Available in regions where irrigation is not possible or unnecessary due to plentiful rainfall. Not available in desert terrain, fully arid climate, sub-arctic and alpine climates. Also not available in forest and wetlands terrain.

Limited to:

Tier 5: river valley, floodplains, grassland, mountain valley, plateau

Tier 4: hills

Tier 3: small islands/rocky coast

Tier 2: steppe, karst terrain

Tier 1: mountains

Requirements: all of these must hold before this level can be built.

• Government Building (Dependency, Indirect Rule, Direct Rule or Homeland)
• Only one farm building allowed
• The region's terrain is not Forest, Wetlands or Desert, the region's climate is not Arid, Sub artic or Alpine and the region's water source is not River, Springs, Lake, Oasis or Aquifer; or the region's terrain is not Forest, Wetlands or Desert, the region's climate is not Arid, Sub artic or Alpine, the region's water source is not Aquifer and the region's climate is Continental, Temperate or Oceanic

What it does

Contour Furrows (Crops)

Digging channels along contours to improve water retention and crop yields.

In this environment, farmers must guard against both too much and too little water. They have dug shallow channels along the natural contours of the landscape that help keep rainwater on the fields for longer. Additional channels going down the slopes drain excess water when rain is too heavy. In hilly areas, this leads to terrace agriculture. The result is more control over our fields and more consistent output.

Note: Some levels may have both positive and negative growth modifiers due to modding limitations. All effects apply, so +3 growth and -0.5 growth means +2.5 total growth.

Strategy

Rainfed farming is a good growth option but loses out to irrigated farming on higher tiers. Potential is limited for factions unable to build great estates. Its farming bonus (+1 = +80 income & +0.5 growth) is increased in particularly wet climates (oceanic, temperate, continental). When built in Northern Europe, tiers 1&2 are as good as irrigated farming at a lower price. It gains additional bonus if the region has grain or sulphur (tiers 3-5). Rainfed farming offers a trade bonus for cash crops (fruits, olives, grapes, flax), increased at tier 5. At tiers 4-5, the slave trade hub resource enables a tax bonus.

Availability

Available in regions where irrigation is not possible or unnecessary due to plentiful rainfall. Not available in desert terrain, fully arid climate, sub-arctic and alpine climates. Also not available in forest and wetlands terrain.

Limited to:

Tier 5: river valley, floodplains, grassland, mountain valley, plateau

Tier 4: hills

Tier 3: small islands/rocky coast

Tier 2: steppe, karst terrain

Tier 1: mountains

Requirements: all of these must hold before this level can be built.

• Government Building (Dependency, Indirect Rule, Direct Rule or Homeland)
• Only one farm building allowed
• The region's terrain is not Forest, Wetlands or Desert, the region's climate is not Arid, Sub artic or Alpine and the region's water source is not River, Springs, Lake, Oasis or Aquifer; or the region's terrain is not Forest, Wetlands or Desert, the region's climate is not Arid, Sub artic or Alpine, the region's water source is not Aquifer and the region's climate is Continental, Temperate or Oceanic
• The region's terrain is not Mountains

What it does

Runoff Water Collection (Crops)

Collecting rainwater runoff from the fields for later use.

Being dependent on the weather gods leaves many farmers wishing for insurance. Their prayers have been partially answered by constructing reservoirs that hold run-off from the fields to be used during droughts. Of course, these reserves may not be enough, especially in drier climates, yet it is a considerable improvement nonetheless.

Note: Some levels may have both positive and negative growth modifiers due to modding limitations. All effects apply, so +3 growth and -0.5 growth means +2.5 total growth.

Strategy

Rainfed farming is a good growth option but loses out to irrigated farming on higher tiers. Potential is limited for factions unable to build great estates. Its farming bonus (+1 = +80 income & +0.5 growth) is increased in particularly wet climates (oceanic, temperate, continental). When built in Northern Europe, tiers 1&2 are as good as irrigated farming at a lower price. It gains additional bonus if the region has grain or sulphur (tiers 3-5). Rainfed farming offers a trade bonus for cash crops (fruits, olives, grapes, flax), increased at tier 5. At tiers 4-5, the slave trade hub resource enables a tax bonus.

Availability

Available in regions where irrigation is not possible or unnecessary due to plentiful rainfall. Not available in desert terrain, fully arid climate, sub-arctic and alpine climates. Also not available in forest and wetlands terrain.

Limited to:

Tier 5: river valley, floodplains, grassland, mountain valley, plateau

Tier 4: hills

Tier 3: small islands/rocky coast

Tier 2: steppe, karst terrain

Tier 1: mountains

Requirements: all of these must hold before this level can be built.

• Government Building (Dependency, Indirect Rule, Direct Rule or Homeland)
• Only one farm building allowed
• The region's terrain is not Forest, Wetlands or Desert, the region's climate is not Arid, Sub artic or Alpine and the region's water source is not River, Springs, Lake, Oasis or Aquifer; or the region's terrain is not Forest, Wetlands or Desert, the region's climate is not Arid, Sub artic or Alpine, the region's water source is not Aquifer and the region's climate is Continental, Temperate or Oceanic
• The region's terrain is not Mountains, Steppe or Karst terrain

What it does

Crop Rotation (Crops)

Rotating crops replenishes the soil and ensures the most efficient landuse

Beyond managing water resources, the soil itself also requires management. Over generations, farmers have discovered that yields improve when they alternate crops and allow fields to rest occasionally. While a field lies fallow, animals may be grazed there, giving even better results. Many wealthier landowners have started employing slave labour significantly, increasing profits but displacing free farmers.

Note: Some levels may have both positive and negative growth modifiers due to modding limitations. All effects apply, so +3 growth and -0.5 growth means +2.5 total growth.

Strategy

Rainfed farming is a good growth option but loses out to irrigated farming on higher tiers. Potential is limited for factions unable to build great estates. Its farming bonus (+1 = +80 income & +0.5 growth) is increased in particularly wet climates (oceanic, temperate, continental). When built in Northern Europe, tiers 1&2 are as good as irrigated farming at a lower price. It gains additional bonus if the region has grain or sulphur (tiers 3-5). Rainfed farming offers a trade bonus for cash crops (fruits, olives, grapes, flax), increased at tier 5. At tiers 4-5, the slave trade hub resource enables a tax bonus.

Availability

Available in regions where irrigation is not possible or unnecessary due to plentiful rainfall. Not available in desert terrain, fully arid climate, sub-arctic and alpine climates. Also not available in forest and wetlands terrain.

Limited to:

Tier 5: river valley, floodplains, grassland, mountain valley, plateau

Tier 4: hills

Tier 3: small islands/rocky coast

Tier 2: steppe, karst terrain

Tier 1: mountains

Requirements: all of these must hold before this level can be built.

• Government Building (Dependency, Indirect Rule, Direct Rule or Homeland)
• Only one farm building allowed
• The region's terrain is not Forest, Wetlands or Desert, the region's climate is not Arid, Sub artic or Alpine and the region's water source is not River, Springs, Lake, Oasis or Aquifer; or the region's terrain is not Forest, Wetlands or Desert, the region's climate is not Arid, Sub artic or Alpine, the region's water source is not Aquifer and the region's climate is Continental, Temperate or Oceanic
• The region's terrain is not Mountains, Steppe, Karst terrain or Small islands and rocky coast
• You play a Roman, Iranian, Egyptian, Western Hellenistic, Eastern Hellenistic, Indian, Phoenician, Anatolian (other than Paphlagonia) or Greek (other than Greek City States) faction, or Paeonia, Bithynia, Cabyle, Odrysian Kingdom, Kush, Nigirians, Armenia, Armenia Minor, Colchians, Iberians, Sophene, Commagene, Carmo, Asta, Arse or Chorasmia

What it does

Great Estates (Crops)

Endless farmlands now stretch across the landscape enriching the elite and the country

Over time the farms in this region have come together to form extensive Latifundia. This process has not always been pretty, many nobles have engaged in subterfuge, threats, and bribery to expand their holdings. The fields are sown with both grain and cash crops and worked by cheap slaves, the natural byproduct of our conquests. The result is a highly productive, and highly taxable, agricultural sector. Nearly every year brings a bountiful harvest to support our large urban population.

Note: Some levels may have both positive and negative growth modifiers due to modding limitations. All effects apply, so +3 growth and -0.5 growth means +2.5 total growth.

Strategy

Rainfed farming is a good growth option but loses out to irrigated farming on higher tiers. Potential is limited for factions unable to build great estates. Its farming bonus (+1 = +80 income & +0.5 growth) is increased in particularly wet climates (oceanic, temperate, continental). When built in Northern Europe, tiers 1&2 are as good as irrigated farming at a lower price. It gains additional bonus if the region has grain or sulphur (tiers 3-5). Rainfed farming offers a trade bonus for cash crops (fruits, olives, grapes, flax), increased at tier 5. At tiers 4-5, the slave trade hub resource enables a tax bonus.

Availability

Available in regions where irrigation is not possible or unnecessary due to plentiful rainfall. Not available in desert terrain, fully arid climate, sub-arctic and alpine climates. Also not available in forest and wetlands terrain.

Limited to:

Tier 5: river valley, floodplains, grassland, mountain valley, plateau

Tier 4: hills

Tier 3: small islands/rocky coast

Tier 2: steppe, karst terrain

Tier 1: mountains

Requirements: all of these must hold before this level can be built.

• Government Building (Dependency, Indirect Rule, Direct Rule or Homeland)
• Only one farm building allowed
• The region's terrain is not Forest, Wetlands or Desert, the region's climate is not Arid, Sub artic or Alpine and the region's water source is not River, Springs, Lake, Oasis or Aquifer; or the region's terrain is not Forest, Wetlands or Desert, the region's climate is not Arid, Sub artic or Alpine, the region's water source is not Aquifer and the region's climate is Continental, Temperate or Oceanic
• The region's terrain is not Mountains, Steppe, Karst terrain, Small islands and rocky coast or Hills
• You play a Roman, Iranian, Egyptian, Western Hellenistic, Eastern Hellenistic, Indian, Phoenician, Anatolian (other than Paphlagonia) or Greek (other than Greek City States) faction, or Paeonia, Bithynia, Cabyle, Odrysian Kingdom, Kush, Nigirians, Armenia, Armenia Minor, Colchians, Iberians, Sophene, Commagene, Carmo, Asta, Arse or Chorasmia

What it does

• -2 public order (happiness)

Traits and retinue

Traits

Retinue