End of Unit Revision – AgricultureAQA “A” GCSE
Geography
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Changes in FarmingTypes of FarmingDiversification
The Green RevolutionFarming Systems
Factors Affecting FarmingSubsistence Farming in the Ganges Delta
Farming in the Developing WorldExit
Changes in Farming
Increase in Population
Government & EU Policies
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Changes in Farming – Increase in Population
Mechanisation
Agribusiness
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Mechanisation
Mechanisation is the high use of machinery, particularly in Arable farming or Market Gardening.
Machines are labour saving and efficient cutting down on labour.
Combine Harvesters are best on Large fields, hedgerows are in the way and therefore inaccessible by tractors, hedgerow removal must take place for efficiency, this is mainly a feature of arable farming.
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Agribusiness Agribusiness is large companies buying up
arable farms. Companies like Birds Eye are buying up farms and even financial companies like Scottish Widows. Agribusiness plays a huge part in arable farming, particularly in East Anglia.
Companies often own large scale farms, these are capital intensive.
“Farm Managers” run each farm. Agribusiness uses high technology and
agrochemicals such as fertilisers and pesticides to obtain maximum yields from the land.
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Government & EU Policies (Including C.A.P)
Agriculture now has a lot of financial support from the Government because of the UK’s membership to the EU. The government can alter which crops are grown buy increasing subsidies for a particular crop and lowering subsidies for other crops. Farmers closely monitor subsidy prices.
The C.A.P has been very costly for the E.U, and over produce can lead to Grain Mountains or Milk Lakes.
Farmers now use more pesticides and Herbicides to obtain the maximum yield from their crops.
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Types of Farming
Types of Farming
Arable – Crop growing mostly
found in the South East because of the
flat relief
Pastoral – Sheep Cows Pigs etc. Mostly found in North & West
because of the Poor Relief
Dairying – This is mostly found in the West. Good relief is desirable for cows.
Hill Sheep Farming - Mostly found in the
North because of the poor relief, the less profitable type
of farming.
Sedentary – The farmer stays in one
place.
Nomadic – The Farmer moves
around.
Subsistence - For the farmer and his
family ONLYCommercial –
Produce sold for a profit
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Diversification
Diversification is a farmer branching out into other activities.
How can I Diversify?
Power Generation – e.g. Elephant Grass
Tourism
Forestry
Sporting Activities
e.g. Quad biking, Sailing, Paintballing
Environmental Initiatives
Maintain Dry Stone Walls – LARGE PAYMENT
Organic FarmingPopular – Higher Prices
Other Crops/Animals
Llamas – Very Valuable Coats
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The Green Revolution
Overview
Pro’s & Con’s
Comparison
HYV’SReturn to Main Menu
The Green Revolution - Overview
The Green Revolution was brought in in the 1960’s by the Indian Government, at the time India was experiencing a rapid population growth.
THE RICH GOT RICHER, THE POOR GOT POORER
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HYV’s (High Yield Varieties)
Drought Resistant Fast Growing More fertilisers were needed. Grants/Loans were widely available. Crops were irrigated Causing the soil
to become salty.
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The Green Revolution – Pro’s & Con’s
Good Points Yields Increased Other crops could be grown, e.g. sweet corn,
adding variation to diet. More money could be earned. Higher standard of Life
Bad Points Not very cheep. HYV’s were not available to peasants. People got into mass debt and were unable to
repay it
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The Green Revolution Comparison
Feature In Sustainable Development
In The Green Revolution
Labour Uses Local People and Skills
Needs new skills and displaces workers with Machinery
Capital Uses limited amounts of Money
Large amounts of money are needed to buy seeds and fertilisers and machinery
Technology Uses low cost technology e.g. hand tools, hand operated pumps
Uses diesel pumps and diesel driven tractors which are expensive
Environment
Protects Environment e.g. kitchen waste, encourages natural predators to eat insects
Uses fertilisers/pesticides, damage water supply
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Farming Systems
Farming Systems Definition
Farming System Diagram
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Definitions – Farming Systems
Inputs = Physical and Human raw materials that go into the Farming system
Processes = The activities required to turn inputs into outputs. Usually end in “ing”
Outputs = The end products of the farming system
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Farming Systems - DiagramPhysical Inputs
ClimateReliefSoils
Human InputsLabour
VetFarm Size
TechnologyMarkets
TransportAnimal FeedChemicalsFertilisers
SeedsSubsidiesAnimals
Processes
PloughingSowing crops
WeedingCrop spraying
GrazingLambingSheeringMilking
Fencing fields
Outputs
Cereal cropsVegetables
FlowersFruit
CalvesLambsWoolMilk
LambBeef
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Factors Affecting Farming
Physical Factors
Human Factors
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Factors Affecting Farming - Physical
Rainfall
Climate & Temperature
Sunshine Hours
Soil Type
Relief
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Factors Affecting Farming - Human
Labour
Finance
Market
Government Policy
Tradition
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Rainfall
All crops and animals require a reliable source of water. Cereal crops need some water e.g. 700mm
Dairy farms are found in the west because this is a dry part of the country and there is no big demand for rain.
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Climate & Temperature
Most plants get cold and don’t grow under 6°c. They need to grow mostly in the South East England where it is warmest.
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Sunshine Hours
Sunshine has a major part in the growing of crops for example grapes need lots of sun and therefore grow well in Mediterranean conditions.
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Soil Types
Crops grow well in deep fertile soils. Less fertile soils are prone to water logging and are best used for pastoral farming.
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Relief
Mountainous areas are harder to farm on e.g. arable. Pastoral farming takes place on mountainous areas because there is no need for machinery to be used on the land.
Arable farming takes place on lowland as it is flat.
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Labour
Work= Labour. Labour is widely available in LEDC’s
because there is a high population and no machinery. Where as MEDC farming requires low labour inputs as machinery is available
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Finance
The profit a farmer makes, depends on the amount of money that can be invested next year.
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Market
If a farmer is to make a profit there must be a market close by, otherwise perishable goods will not last. Pastoral farms do not need to be close to a market.
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Government Policy
In LEDC’s there are loans to buy machinery.
In the EU subsidies or grants are available
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Tradition
Many farmers have been operating for generations, it would be very costly to change from a cereal farm with combine harvesters to a dairy farm with electronic milking parlours
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Subsistence Farming in the Ganges Delta
The Ganges delta is in Bangladesh and some of India. The land Is mainly used for subsistence, sedentary, arable and intensive farming.
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Farming in the Developing World
Three quarters of the worlds population live in the developing world and are farmers.
Shifting Cultivation is a traditional form of subsistence farming, today it is an extensive form of agriculture and is only found in inaccessible areas. The soil quickly looses its fertility.
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