Rural Environment Flashcards
What are recent changes to farming in East Anglia, England UK?
- New Technology
- GM Crops
- Diversification
- Organic Farming
- Government Policies
What are examples of; new technology in farming East Anglia,UK and how do they affect the farming?
Chemicals - Fertilisers and pesticides, kill off pests and diseases that can harm crops and mean that crops can be grown in infertile land and survive harsher weather. Resulting in a higher crop yield, allowing crops to be grown in more areas and increasing farmers income.
- Can cause water pollution like algal blooms and can kill wildlife.
Machinery - Tractors, ploughs and combine harvesters means there is less physical labour for farmers, farmers not needing to pay as many wages and farmers can gain an increased profit.
- Can increase air and noise pollution, result in a loss of scenery as there is too much flat land, higher unemployment rates and can also be very costly to repair.
What are examples of; GM crops in farming East Anglia,UK and how do they affect the farming?
Crops are modified by science so they can survive droughts, frost, diseases, pests and weeds. Farmers can now produce better and larger crops which would increase farmers profits and reduces crossbreeding.Also reduces use of pesticides/fertilises which helps insects/bees and results in less water pollution.
- Has a very divided opinion so many people will not buy them which could result in farmers having a loss of profit
What are examples of; diversification in farming East Anglia,UK and how do they affect the farming?
Farmers take part in non farming activities like B&Bs/cottages, cafes, petting farms and wind farm
development on farming land all generates extra income for farmers as they do not have to rely on farming income alone.
- Can result in an increase in traffic congestion, landscape erosion, increased pollution and can spoil the scenery.
What are examples of; organic farming in farming East Anglia,UK and how do they affect the farming?
The production of crops without using artificial chemicals meaning there is a less chance of water pollution and chemical free food. Has a different market of consumers
- More manual labour like crop rotation required so productivity is lower and products are dearer to buy.
What are examples of; government policies in farming East Anglia,UK and how do they affect the farming?
UK - Contracts for farmers that participate in various activities like trying to reduce effects of climate change
- Extra income for farmers who maintain rural areas.
- Grants to sustain rural activities.
- Rewards for better produce
EU - Advice and training provided for farmers to keep up with modern ploicies
- Funds to support environmental farming
- Loans to help diversification
- Income support for farmers who maintain countryside
What are changes to farming in the Ganges Valley, India?
- New technology
- GM crops
- Pesticides
- Fertilisers
- Bio-fuels
What are examples of; new technology in the Ganges Valley, India and how does this affect farming in the area?
Machinery - Tractors used to plough fields, trucks and trailers have replaced old carts for transport resulting in less manual labour for farmers. But can can an increase in noise/air pollution and increase unemployment rates. Also very costly to repair/maintain.
Irrigation Chanels - ditches dug to store water for use in dry season. Allows for more harvests but can mean soil becomes exhausted.
Land reform - Field sizes made bigger by joining smaller plots together to accommodate machinery and make it easier for farmers to manage land.
Improved Infrastructure - roads and railways have been improved to export crops to market easier/quicker to get machinery into villages. Farmers have to pay more and can increase noise/air pollution.
How does; GM crops affect farming in the Ganges Village, India?
GM crops produce a greater yield for farmers and are disease resistant so make greater income for farmer, can reduce costs for farmers using pesticides and reduce risk to their health.
How does; Fertilisers affect farming in the Ganges Village, India?
Increased crop yields leads to better profits for some
farmers, which can lead to increase in standard of living. Can pollute rivers and drinking water.
How does; Pesticides affect farming in the Ganges Village, India?
Reduce disease spreading, producing better crops. Can pollute rivers and drinking water.
How does; Biofuels affect farming in the Ganges Village, India?
Growing demand for biofuels means higher crop prices can result in farmers getting higher income. They are much cleaner and also increasing create employment. Only thing is many industries do not believe in these types of fuels and would rather stick to fossil fuels.
