Factors Affecting The Intensity Of Food Production Flashcards
Climate (PHYSICAL)
- temperature affects the rate of photosynthesis and seed germination
- temperature that regularly fall below 5 degrees make it very difficult for crops to grow
- affects the type of crops that can be grown eg pea and strawberries requires cooler climates while soya bean and tomatoes require warmer climates. Optimal temp for growing soya bean is 25-28 degrees
- rainfall: amt required for growth varies for diff type of crops eg rice require more water than soya beans
- HIGH TEMP AND RAINFALL (more productive for plant growth)
> area like tropics have long growing season which enables farmers to have 2 or 3 harvests in a year, greater crop yield - AREAS WITH LONG WINTERS (less harvest)
> unsuitable for crop growth due to the Low temp, food production can only occur during the warmer season, less harvest
> REPUBLIC OF KOSOVO, precipitation falls as rain in September and continues through the winter as snow until may of the following year. Land precipitation takes place from April to June and harvesting takes place during the drier months from June to Aug. - greenhouses may be used to create optimal conditions for plant growth, key factors in growing crops can be controlled, crops grown all year round (eg USA)
- extreme weather conditions may cause cattle and poultry to become stressed, suffer from infections and produce less milk or fewer eggs and die. May be placed in shelters to protect them from harsh weather
Soils and drainage (PHYSICAL)
Soil fertility
- soil fertility depends on the availability of air, water and nutrients from minerals in the soil, varies among locations
- fertile soil rich in minerals eg nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium which can be found in floodplains along a river, high crop yield
- Mekong delta of VIETNAM, highly fertile soils, flat terrains and large water supply result in a very high production of rice
Soil drainage
- ability of soil to drain off water
- improper soil drainage, roots get deprived of air and nutrients, may hinder growth of crops
- oats require more sandy soil that are well drained, rice require soils with more clay that retains large amounts of water
Relief (PHYSICAL)
- refers to the slope and altitude of the land
- steep relief, rain more likely to remove the topsoil, reduce soil fertility, less suitable for crop production
- sloping land with well drained soil is suitable for certain crops like grapes, tea and coffee
- slopes can be modified through terracing to create flat land for farming
- Sapa in VIETNAM
- the higher the altitude, the lower the temperature, cooler temperature of mountainous areas may be suitable for growing certain crops like strawberries
Purpose of farming (ECONOMIC)
Subsistence farming
- production of crop for personal use
- small land, simple farming tools, seeds from prev harvest used
- staple food like corn and cassava
- family labour
- Low crop yield
- eg Sub-Saharan AFRICA
Commercial farming
- large scale production of crops for sale
- larger land, machinery like tractors are used
- livestock production, wheat, corn, tea, coffee, sugar cane etc
- hired labour
- high crop yield
- eg EUROPE
Demand and capital (ECONOMIC)
- demand changed according to the taste and preferences of consumers, greater demand, greater intensity of food production
- amt of capital a consumer has affects the demand of food supply
> CHINA larger and wealthier population, higher demand for meat, more corn needed to feed livestock, increase in local production of corn + imports of corn from other countries such as USA, increased production of corn in USA for export to China, more livestock reared for meat
Agribusiness (ECONOMIC)
- business involved in food production ,large scale farming/business activities like commercial farming, processing, packaging, distributing and retailing eg Dole
- places importance on scientific and business principles like investing in the research and development of crops, greater crop yield
- greater financial capacity, more able to withstand impact in changes of environment, maintain intensity of food production
- small scale farmers: less financial capacity, may not be able to continue farming after setbacks
Government policy (POLITICAL)
- plan of action by the gov in order to change a specific situation
- policies that affects food production achieve food security all people in an area are able to obtain sufficient quantities of safe and nutritious food to maintain a healthy and active lifestyle
- food security depends on stability and accessibility to food supply
Agricultural policy (POLITICAL)
- policies pertaining to domestic agriculture
- gov can decide how resources can be best used eg choose to channel resources into educating farmers on more efficient ways of farming or managing crop prices, farmers can apply the knowledge to intensify crop production
- eg INDIA the punjab agricultural department responded in 2012 to the need to ensure greater productivity from its farmland, it started an education programme for its wheat farmers, farmers taught about the best available seed varieties, pesticide treatment and irrigation methods
Food policy (POLITICAL)
- stockpiling is setting aside food to ensure food security during emergency, ensure that food is available to its population in situations of food shortage or price increase
- diversifying food supply through importing food from different sources to avoid relying on a few countries, buffer against food shortages and price fluctuations. Eg in the past SG mainly bought vegetables from Malaysia, today a larger proportion bought from China
- in Oct 2011, AEAN signed an agreement with China, Japan and South Korea. ASEAN plus three emergency rice reserve (APTERR) commitment from big rice producers to supply rice for a reserve, can be used to provide rice to countries that have signed in the event of a disaster
- China contributed 300000 tonnes, Thailand 15000 tonnes and SG contributed US$107500
Green revolution (TECHNOLOGICAL)
- rapid increase in the productivity of agriculture through the use of science and tech, spread worldwide in 1960s, significant bc of its success in LDCs
- corn not indigenous to AFRICA but GR led to improved corn varieties grown there, corn now the most important staple grain in eastern and Southern Africa, corn production increased in England as well
High yielding varieties (TECHNOLOGICAL)
- refers to improved strains of crop like wheat and rice
- developed through cross breading of selected varieties which have favourable characteristics
- increased resistance to pests and diseases, lesser crop damaged, increased crop yield
- able to grow within shorter growing seasons, more harvests within a year, increased crop yield
- eg ‘wonder rice’ growing season of 100 days compared to 120 days for non HYVs
