sub·sis·tence 
/səbˈsɪstəns/ noun
/səbˈsɪstəns/ noun [noncount] : the amount of food, money, etc., that is needed to stay alive
▪ They depended on hunting and fishing for subsistence. ▪ Farming is their means of subsistence. ▪ subsistence farming/agriculture [=farming that provides enough food to live on but not enough food to sell to other people] ▪ More than a quarter of the population lives below (the) subsistence level. [=a level of income that provides only enough money for basic needs]
▪ They depended on hunting and fishing for subsistence. ▪ Farming is their means of subsistence. ▪ subsistence farming/agriculture [=farming that provides enough food to live on but not enough food to sell to other people] ▪ More than a quarter of the population lives below (the) subsistence level. [=a level of income that provides only enough money for basic needs]
