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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