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Economic Geography: Farming
Agriculture
A system of growing crops and raising animals which involves soil conservation and sustainable irrigation. In simple terms, also known as farming.
Other types of ‘cultures’-silviculture; pisciculture; viticulture; sericulture;aquaculture
Farming As A System
Inputs
Any farm can be viewed as a system, with inputs, throughputs (or processes), outputs and feedback.
Inputs can be divided into two groups.Physical inputs are naturally occurring things
such as water, raw materials and the land.Human or Cultural Inputs are things like
money, labour, and skills.
Processes And Outputs
Processes or Throughputs are the actions within the farm that allow the inputs to turn into outputs. Processes could include things such as milking, harvesting and shearing.
Outputs can be negative or positive, although they are usually the latter. Negative outputs include waste products and soil erosion. The positive outputs are the finished products, such as meat, milk and eggs, and the money gained from the sale of those products.
Feedback
Feedback is what is put back into the system. The main two examples of this are money, from the
sale of the outputs, and knowledge, gained from the whole manufacturing process.
This knowledge could then be used to make the product better or improve the efficiency of the processes.
Types of Farming
Arable- growing crops
Pastoral- rearing animals
Mixed farming
These three types can be- Subsistence (Intensive/extensive)- slash and burn also known
as Jhooming Commercial (intensive/extensive) Shifting Sedentary Plantations- Monoculture Livestock/ranching
Done either on Small scale or large scale
Sustainable agriculture
Maximizing the carrying capacity of land (yield) with the use of correct irrigation techniques to ensure soil conservation
Some possible ways-Organic farmingCrop rotationIrrigation techniques like- drip/sprinkler etc.Fallow landLimited use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides-
use of natural manure
Case studies
Subsistence farming
Commercial farming- one plantation and one other
Green Revolution
The introduction of modern western style farming techniques in LEDCs during the late 1960's and 1970's.
Norman Borlaug- 1940’s researched on wheatSupported by Rockefeller and Ford foundations- a
lot of work done on varieties of rice- especially in Philippines
Introduction of HYVs
Advantages of GR
Increased food production- improved food tradeHelped solve problem of food shortage-Shorter growing period- farmers could grow 2-3
crops in the same durationConsumers had access to different types of cropsSome farmers in LEDCs gained financially
Disadvantages of GR
Expensive for some farmer- HYVs were not cheapWater intensiveHeavily rely on Insecticides and fertilizers increasing
chances of euthrophicationNot suitable to the local palate as the taste changedNatural varieties lostForeign dependence increased (tariffs and subsidies
became very important)Mechanization increased leading to umemployment
GM crops Vs Organic Crops
Genetically modified- so look/production was better but taste is not- though uniform-led to unnecessary growth in size/shape/texture of crops- effects on humans still not known-destruction of native species
Organic- grown the natural way- takes longer-more expensive-but healthy food.
Food security
The World Food Summit of 1996 defined food security as existing “when all people at all times have access to sufficient, safe, nutritious food to maintain a healthy and active life”.
Its 3 pillars are-Food AvailabilityFood AccessFood Use
Malnourised
Badly nourishedUnder/overDisease of affluence and Poverty
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