food production Flashcards
features of agricultural systems
- inputs: materials that are put onto the farm
- processes: the things that happen to the inputs to make them into outputs
- outputs: materials that come out of the farm
what is commercial farming
for profit as most output of farms is put on sale
what is subsistence farming
to feed oneself and their family, mainly in LEDCs
what is arable farming
growing of crops and ploughing of land
what is pastoral farming
growing of pasture and grazing of land by reared animals
what is mixed farming
rearing of animals and growing of crops on the same farm
what is intensive farming
an agricultural intensification and mechanization system that aims to maximize yields from available land through various means, such as heavy use of pesticides and chemical fertilizers
what is extensive farming
an agricultural production system that uses small inputs of labour, fertilizers and capital, relative to the land area being farmed; it is the opposite of intensive farming
influence of climate on farming
- temperature determines crop growth
- crops need to be grown where there is an adequate growing season
- there must be sufficient rainfall for crops to grow or irrigation needed if insuffiecient rain
- sunshine
- too much rainfall may cause flooding (drainage system needed)
- cold areas/frost
- if windy, wind breaks are needed
causes of food shortages
- floods
- drought
- tropical storm
- pests
- low capital investment
- poor distribution of food
- transport difficulties
- war
- corrupt government
effects of food shortages
- starvation
- death
- malnutrition
- deficiency diseases like marasmus and kwashiorkor
- people become too weak to work therefore cannot harvest crops or earn money
ways to solve food shortages
- emergency famine relief
- improve distribution network
- government grants
- better quality seeds
- educate farmers about farming
- mechanization
methods for soil conservation
- contour ploughing
- terracing
- crop rotation
- strip cultivation
- irrigation
- dry farming
- windbreaks
- gullies
