Global food distribution

Question 1

What areas of the world produce the most food? Why?

Answer 1

East Asia, North America and Europe. They have good farming climates and invest greatly into farming.

Question 2

Why do South America and Africa produce small amounts of food?

Answer 2

Large areas of these lands are unsuitable for farming e.g mountain ranges and the sahara desert. The climate is also too hot and dry.

Question 3

What is commercial farming?

Answer 3

Production of crops and livestock to make a profit.

Question 4

Define subsistence farming.

Answer 4

When just enough food is grown to feed the family. Commonly known as “hand to mouth” farming.

Question 5

What is capital-intensive farming?

Answer 5

There is a high input of money and a low input of labour into the land. It involves pesticides and fertilisers.

Question 6

What is labour-intensive farming?

Answer 6

It does not involve a high economic input, but instead a high input of labour.

Question 7

Define extensive farming.

Answer 7

A low labour and money input into an area of farmland. It often results in lower food production.

Question 8

Define arable farming.

Answer 8

Plants that are grown for food, fuel or animal feed.

Question 9

What is livestock farming?

Answer 9

Animals such as sheep, pigs and cows are raised for food or materials.

Question 10

Which areas of the world consume the most food?

Answer 10

North America and Europe.

Question 11

Why are North America and Europe able to consume the most food?

Answer 11

They can afford to import a wider variety of foods, and people have a much higher disposable income so can afford to buy more.

Question 12

Which countries export the largest amount of food?

Answer 12

North America, Europe, Australia, Argentina and Brazil all export a great amount of food.

Question 13

Which countries import the most food?

Answer 13

Africa, Japan and Middle Eastern countries

Question 14

What are Trans-National corporations? (TNCs)

Answer 14

Companies which operate in more than one country. Many of these play a large role in the production, processing and distribution of food.

Question 15

What are the 4 advantages of TNCs?

Answer 15

1. Lots of food is developed cheaply.
2. Range of food available is increased.
3. They provide jobs and economic security
4. They invest in the research and development of new products

Question 16

What are the 4 disadvantages of TNCs?

Answer 16

1. They control product prices meaning poorer countries can’t afford things such as seeds.
2. Smaller companies can’t compete against them and become bankrupt.
3. Intensive farming methods cause environmental problems.
4. Nutritional value is reduced due to transportation times.

Question 17

Why do governments desire food security?

Answer 17

They want to ensure their supply of food will not be affected by things like wars, leaving their country facing food shortages and thus health problems.

Question 18

How to governments create food security?

Answer 18

They implement agricultural policies which ensure food supply will remain continuous at a time of hardship