Food GW 2 - 3

Question 1

Discuss how relief affects the intensity of food production.

Answer 1

Generally more difficult to grow and thus less food production. Terracing might be necessary.

High altitudes allow crops which require cooler temperatures to grow.

On steep slopes, the top soil may be washed away more easily and thus the soil may be less fertile, affecting the productivity of the area.

Question 2

Discuss how soils and drainage affects the intensity of food production.

Answer 2

Floodplains with fertile soils: More food crops as soil has more nutrients to support plant growth.

Soils with different ability to retain or drain off water: Type of crop produced and overall yield depends on the suitability of the soil.

Question 3

Discuss how climate affects the intensity of food production.

Answer 3

High rainfall, High temperature: More food crops; Crops that need warmer climates.

Cooler temperatures: Not as conducive for food production; Good for crops that need cooler climates.

Question 4

Discuss how purpose of farming affects the intensity of food production.

Answer 4

Subsistence farming: Lower food production as only need to produce for own and family’s consumption.

Commercial farming: Large scale farming with high food production for sale to earn revenue.

Question 5

Discuss how demand and capital affects the intensity of food production.

Answer 5

Increased demand leads to prices going up. Farmers thus have increased motivation to increase pdt, and pdt increases.

Higher capital allows for greater investment to increase food production.

Question 6

Discuss how agri-business affects the intensity of food production.

Answer 6

Agribusinesses usually control all aspects of the food production, from farm to sales, and need to produce a lot to earn revenue. Thus, food production is usually very high.

Question 7

Discuss how government policies affect the intensity of food production.

Answer 7

Positive policies increase food production such as those that educate farmers on farming technology or increased investment in farming.

Policies that limit agriculture such as land area will negatively affect food production.

Question 8

Discuss how ASEAN has affected the intensity of food production.

Answer 8

Increase stability of food through agreements between ASEAN countries. ASEAN countries also have agreements to share technological knowledge to help increase production.

Question 9

Discuss how the Green Revolution through the use of HYVs, irrigation, mechanisation, fertilisers and pesticides.

Answer 9

Allow more food crops to be grown within a shorter period of time, increasing food production.

Food is more pest resistant, increasing food supply

Allow food to be grown in places that previously was not possible to, increasing food production.

Less manual labour is needed, increased intensification.

Increase food production as soil is more fertile.

Reduced crop loss from pests, resulting in increased yield.

Question 10

Discuss the effects of intensification on water quality.

Answer 10

1. Contamination of groundwater due to chemicals from pesticides and fertilisers.
2. Water pollution due to discharge from chemical use.
3. Eutrophication as chemicals from fertilisers encourage growth of algae.

Question 11

Discuss the effects of intensification on soil quality.

Answer 11

1. Waterlogging when too much water is used during irrigation.
2. Salinisation from salts left behind during irrigation.

Question 12

Explain how extreme weather leads to food shortage.

Answer 12

Extreme weather -> farms are destroyed -> supply limited -> supply cannot meet demand -> food shortage.

Extreme weather -> infrastructure destroyed -> food cannot reach people -> food shortage.

Question 13

Explain how climate change has led to food shortage.

Answer 13

Climate change -> extreme weather events, flooding -> farms destroyed; infrastructure destroyed -> limited supply; food cannot reach the people -> food shortage.

Question 14

Explain how pests lead to food shortage.

Answer 14

Pests destroy crops -> supply drops -> supply cannot meet demand -> food shortage.

Question 15

Explain how civil strife lead to food shortage.

Answer 15

Civil strife -> farms and infrastructure destroyed -> limited supply; food cannot reach the people -> food shortage.

Question 16

Explain how poor governance leads to food shortage.

Answer 16

Poor governance -> lack of planning by the government -> poor food and agricultural policies -> inadequate food for the people.

Question 17

Explain how rising demand for meat and dairy products has led to food shortage.

Answer 17

Increased demand for meat and dairy products, esp from China and India due to better economies -> more crops grown to feed cattle -> less crops for consumption -> supply cannot meet demand -> food shortage.

Question 18

Explain how soaring cost of fertilisers and transport has led to food shortage.

Answer 18

Increased cost -> farmers cannot afford -> reduced food production -> supply cannot meet demand -> food shortage.

Increased cost -> farmers transfer cost to consumers -> consumers who cannot afford will experience food shortage.

Question 19

Explain how conversion of farmland to industries lead to food shortage.

Answer 19

Conversion of farmland to industries -> less land for farming -> drop in supply of food -> supply cannot meet demand -> food shortage.

Question 20

Explain how lack of accessibility leads to food shortage.

Answer 20

Poor infrastructure or natural barriers such as mountains affect accessibility -> food cannot reach the people -> food shortage.

Question 21

Explain how inadequate logistics of food distribution leads to food shortage.

Answer 21

Inadequate logistics -> food is unable to reach people -> people have no access to food -> food shortage.

Question 22

Explain how rapid population growth has led to food shortage.

Answer 22

Increased population -> increased demand -> supply cannot catch up with demand -> food shortage.

Question 23

Evaluate the effectiveness of technology to improve storage in helping to overcome food shortage.

Answer 23

Success: Allow food to be transported further without getting spoilt -> increase accessibility to food -> reduce food shortage.

Limitation: Expensive. LDCs may not be able to afford.

Question 24

Evaluate the effectiveness of farming technology such as the Green Revolution in helping to overcome food shortage.

Answer 24

Success: Increase supply of food; increase affordability as prices drop with increase supply -> reduce food shortage.

Limitations: Harmful effects on the environment, water and soil quality; Not all farmers can afford the increase cost due to technology, and thus might lose out.

Question 25

Evaluate the effectiveness of biotechnology in the form of genetically modified food in helping to overcome food shortage.

Answer 25

Success: Increase food supply.

Limitation: Large amount of investment needed, not possible for LDCs; Potential health risk concerns affect demand and thus production; Limited to a few crops.

Question 26

Evaluate the effectiveness of multiple cropping and crop rotation in helping to overcome food shortage.

Answer 26

Success: Increase food supply.

Limitation: Difficulty to use machines as different crops need different machines, affecting productivity.

Question 27

Evaluate the effectiveness of water and soil conservation in helping to overcome food shortage.

Answer 27

Success: Increase food supply.

Limitation: Lack of knowledge by farmers, reducing effectiveness.

Question 28

Evaluate the effectiveness of lease of farmland to other countries in helping to overcome food shortage.

Answer 28

Success: Increase food supply and stability for country leasing the farmland -> reducing food shortage.

Limitation: Less crops and land for farmers within the country as the crops are brought back to the country that leased the land.

Question 29

Evaluate the effectiveness of support to local farmers in helping to overcome food shortage.

Answer 29

Success: Increase stability and safety of food produced -> reduce food shortage.

Limitation: Limited government funding available. Conflicting interests within the country may force the government to focus on other aspects of the economy instead.

Question 30

Evaluate the effectiveness of population control in helping to overcome food shortage.

Answer 30

Success: Reduce demand -> reduced food shortage.

Limitation: Difficult to implement esp in rural areas.

Question 31

Evaluate the effectiveness of food programmes and aid assistance by UNWFP in helping to overcome food shortage.

Answer 31

Success: Increased food production, stability and safety.

Limitation: Extent of assistance depends on funds received. May lead to a culture of dependency.

Question 32

Evaluate the effectiveness of agricultural policies such as high tech farming in Singapore in helping to overcome food shortage.

Answer 32

Success: Increased food production, stability and safety.

Limitation: High cost of high tech farming and lack of land in Singapore limit the production. Government’s ability to implement the policies will limit the effectiveness. Cash crops may be grown instead of food crops, limiting food supply.