Large Scale Agriculture
Large Scale Agriculture is an Imperial Age Food technology available to European civilizations and the Mexicans. It raises Villager Food gathering from Mills, Farms, Food-producing Rice Paddies, Fields and Haciendas by 50%; Hacienda automatic Food production also increases by 50%. It improves farming infrastructure, not hunting or Coin gathering.
Research profile
- Age
- Imperial Age
- Civilization
- Europeans; Mexicans
- Research location
- Capitol; Town Center (Maya)
- Research time
- 30 seconds
- Wood cost
- 1,000
- Coin cost
- 1,000
Effect & research conditions
The standard research costs 1,000 Wood and 1,000 Coin, takes 30 seconds and is available at the Capitol. Maya research it at the Town Center because they cannot build a Capitol. Brazil and South Africa can access it after shipping their respective Rio de Janeiro or Raadsaal card, at 20% lower cost. The bonus does not increase Hacienda automatic Coin output.
Research condition
Available to Europeans and Mexicans from the Imperial Age. Research it at Capitol or Town Center (Maya).
When to research
Save for it when a substantial share of the economy has moved to the listed buildings and will keep producing Food long enough to repay the high cost. It is a late-game investment that competes with Imperial upgrades, army production and a final push. If workers are still hunting or most Food comes from other sources, the upgrade affects too little of the economy to justify an immediate purchase.
Eligible Food production
The upgrade covers Villagers gathering Food from the Mill, Farm, Rice Paddy, Field and Hacienda. Hacienda automatic Food production receives the same 50% increase, so it can benefit staffed gathering and the building’s Food setting. A Rice Paddy set to Coin does not gain the Food bonus, and Hacienda Coin production is not part of this effect.
Civilization access and alternatives
European civilizations and the Mexicans can research it in the Imperial Age at the Capitol; the Maya use their Town Center. Brazil and South Africa gain access through their respective Home City cards at a 20% discount. Large Scale Gathering, Mechanized Rice Cultivation and Iowa Farmlands are related economic technologies, but their availability and effects are separate.