UNIT 5.2 Flashcards
Types of Farming
- Pastoral (Only Animals)
- Arable (Only Crops)
- Mixed
Types of Terrestrial Food Systems
- Commercial Farming
- Subsistence Farming
Subsistence Farming
Subsistence farming is the provision of food by farmers for their own families or the
local community- there is no surplus.
Commercial Farming
Commercial farming takes
place on a large, profit-making
scale, maximizing yields per area.
Cashcrops
A cash crop is defined as a crop grown for direct sale or for market sales rather than for subsistence food or for household consumption. Examples of cash crops include cotton, coffee, cocoa, tea or rice.
If the best agricultural land is used for cash crops, local farmers are forced to use marginal land to grow food for local consumption, and this has a further dramatic effect on the environment.
Commercial Farming vs Subsistence Farming PT.1
Commercial Farming vs Subsistence Farming PT.2
Compare and contrast the inputs, outputs and system characteristics for two food production systems: conventional (non-organic) agriculture and organic agriculture.
Conventional and organic agriculture are two distinct farming approaches. While conventional agriculture relies on synthetic inputs and intensive methods, organic agriculture generally adopts a more natural, holistic and environmentally conscious approach.
Inputs:
In conventional agriculture, synthetic fertilisers and pesticides are commonly used, whereas in organic agriculture, organic fertilisers, such as compost and manure, are used. Conventional agriculture often relies on greater water inputs via large-scale irrigation systems, while organic agriculture tends to use limited irrigation and focuses on water conservation. Conventional agriculture requires high energy inputs for machinery operation and transportation, whereas organic agriculture generally relies on renewable resources and aims to reduce reliance on external inputs.
Outputs:
Conventional agriculture often achieves greater productivity outputs in terms of high crop yields, while organic agriculture typically has lower crop yields in comparison. Conventional agriculture aims for standardised crops with consistent quality and appearance, whereas organic agriculture emphasises producing high-quality, organic, and environmentally friendly products. The reliance on external inputs such as synthetic fertilisers in conventional agriculture may result in reduced resilience of the soil system, while organic agriculture focuses on building soil health and biodiversity.
System Characteristics:
Conventional agriculture emphasises maximum yield and productivity, often through large-scale monoculture, while organic agriculture promotes sustainable practices, biodiversity, and soil health. In addition, conventional agriculture may have limited crop rotation, whereas organic agriculture encourages crop rotation and diversification.
Increasing Sustainability of Terrestrial Food Production
- Changing human behaviours
- Improving the accuracy of food labels
- Monitoring and controlling food corporations’ standards and practices
- Planting of buffer zones
Changing Human Behaviours
Altering human activity to reduce meat consumption and increase consumption of organic, locally produced terrestrial food products:
- Promoting plant-based diets: encouraging individuals to reduce their meat consumption and increase consumption of plant-based foods can significantly reduce the environmental impact associated with intensive livestock production
For example, public health campaigns promoting the benefits of vegetarian or vegan diets and providing resources for transitioning to plant-based eating
- Supporting organic and local food production: choosing organic and locally sourced food products reduces the use of synthetic pesticides and fertilisers, supports sustainable farming practices, and reduces the carbon footprint associated with long-distance transportation
For example, farmers’ markets and community-supported agriculture (CSA) programs that offer organic produce and locally sourced products to consumers
Improving Food Label Accuracy
- Improving the accuracy of food labels to assist customers in making informed food choices:
- Clear labelling of environmental impacts: food labels can provide information on the environmental footprint of food products, including factors like carbon emissions, water usage, and sustainable farming practices
- For example, labels indicating carbon footprint, water footprint, or eco-certifications (such as Rainforest Alliance or Fair Trade) to inform consumers about the environmental impact of their food choices
- Promoting transparency in supply chains: ensuring that food labels accurately depict the origins of ingredients and production processes helps consumers make choices aligned with their environmental values
- For example, labels indicating the country of origin, fair trade certifications, or information on sustainable sourcing practices
Monitoring and Controlling Food Standards and Practices
- Monitoring and control of the standards and practices of multinational and national food corporations by governmental and intergovernmental bodies:
- Setting regulations and standards: governments and intergovernmental bodies can establish regulations and standards for food production practices, waste management, and environmental protection
- For example, imposing limits on pesticide use, implementing sustainable farming practices, and monitoring compliance through inspections and certifications
- Supporting sustainable agriculture programs: governments can provide financial incentives, subsidies, or grants to farmers adopting sustainable practices, such as organic farming, crop rotation, and agroforestry
- For example, government-funded programs offering financial assistance to farmers transitioning to sustainable farming methods
Planting Buffer Zones
- Planting buffer zones around land suitable for food production to absorb nutrient run-off:
- Creating vegetative buffer strips: planting strips of vegetation or trees along water bodies can capture and filter nutrient run-off from agricultural fields, reducing water pollution
- For example, establishing buffer zones of grasses, native plants, or trees along rivers, lakes, or streams adjacent to farmland - These measures, when implemented together, can contribute to increased sustainability in terrestrial food production systems by reducing environmental impacts, supporting informed consumer choices, promoting sustainable farming practices, and protecting water bodies from nutrient pollution
