Factors Affecting the Sustainable Production of Food in Australia

Question 1

factors

Answer 1

Farming practices
Climate change
Water availability
Land degradation

Question 2

Farming practices

Answer 2

• Sustainable farming practices are essential to maintaining soil health, managing water resources and minimizing environmental impacts
• Practices like crop rotation, reduced tillage, and organic farming helps to preserve the soul structure and fertility
  However unsustainable practices can lead to soil degradation and reduce biodiversity which affects long term food production

Question 3

Land degradation

Answer 3

• Includes soil erosion, loss of soil fertility, and desertification
  
  • Overgrazing, deforestation and poor land management practices contribute to the degradation of land
  • Addressing land degradation through soil conservation techniques and reforestation efforts are essential for maintaining the productivity of agricultural lands
  • When land is cleared, wind and water can cause erosion as topsoil is removed which decreases crop yield quality
  • Land degradation decreases the wealth of countries and can cause food insecurity due to less land available
    Can be caused by overgrazing or over tilling

Question 4

Climate change

Answer 4

• Climate change poses significant risk to food production in Australia
• Changes in temperature, rainfall patterns and frequency of extreme weather events can disrupt crop yields and livestock productivity
  Rising temperatures may also affect the growth cycles of crops and the availability of water resources

Question 5

Water availability

Answer 5

• Water is crucial and its availability is increasingly uncertain due to climate change and competing demands from other sectors
  
  • In Australia where much of agriculture is dependent on irrigation water availability can severely impact crop production
    Efficient water management practices and innovations in irrigation technologies are vital to ensure the sustainability of food production

Question 6

managing farming practices

Answer 6

• Adaption of sustainable agriculture
• Organic farming
• Precision agriculture

Question 7

managing climate changes

Answer 7

• Climate resilient crops
• Diversification of crops
• Carbon farming
• Acquire properties in several locations
• Matching crop/pasture/livestock to emerging conditions in climate and markets
• Dedicating parts of land to planting trees and offset greenhouse gasses
• Use renewable energy sources
• Exploring the role of digital technologies to improve efficiency, precision and flexibility
  Retiring and regenerating degraded land

Question 8

managing water avaliability

Answer 8

• Efficient irrigation systems
• Water recycling and harvesting
• Policy and governance

Question 9

managing land degradation

Answer 9

• Soil conservation practices
• Reforestation and afforestation
• Land management planning