SUBSISTENCE AGRICULTURE - Ganges

Question 1

Farming as a system:

Answer 1

1. Inputs
   
   • Climate: receives 1,500 to 2,000 mm of rain each year. In summer, temperatures rise above 38 degrees C.
   • Fertility: River Ganges deposits alluvium, over 70% of Bangladesh’ land arable because of this
   • Relief: The average gradient of the land is 25 cm/km, flatter so more crops
2. Processes:
   
   • Intensive due to natural inputs, not mechanised
   • constructing rice paddies to hold water
   • creating irrigation channels
   • planting rice
   • harvesting rice
3. Outputs:
   
   • 35.8 million metric tons rice produced in 2000
   • Spices also common

Question 2

Problems with farming in Bangladesh:

Answer 2

1. Latifundia system:
   
   • Poorer farmers work on land of landlords in return for 60% output
2. Flooding:
   
   • Major one in 1988
   • Wash away crops, kill workforce etc.
   • If sea levels increase by 3 feet Bangladesh will lose 10% of its land
3. Efficiency:
   
   • Plots of land split up after death (tradition)
   • Not mechanised

Question 3

Solutions to problems in Bangladesh:

Answer 3

1. Land reform: so land not witheld by wealthy
2. Green Revolution: inreased output in India by 131 million tonnes from 1978-1979
3. Sustainability: use better irrigation, use terrace farming