Agricultural System
Describe and explain the main features of an agricultural system: inputs, processes and outputs
Agricultural System
Describe and explain the main features of an agricultural system: inputs, processes and outputs
Draw a farm on A4 paper. Add labels to describe and explain the different features. Share your work with the class.
FARMING TYPES
TASK 1: Add definitions of different farm types to your notes. Research one example of each and add these to your notes.
Farms can be categorised according to what is being grown or reared, the size of the operation and the agricultural techniques being used (Source).
Farming can be:
sedentary or nomadic
subsistence or commercial
arable, pastoral or mixed
extensive or intensive
Sedentary or nomadic?
Sedentary farming is when a farm is based in the same location all the time.
Nomadic farming is when a farmer moves from one place to another. This is common in some LICs.
Subsistence or commercial?
Subsistence farming is when crops and animals are produced by a farmer to feed their family, rather than to take to market.
Commercial farming is when crops and animals are produced to sell at market for a profit.
Arable, pastoral or mixed?
Arable farms grow crops. Crops are plants that are harvested from the ground to be eaten or sold.
Pastoral farms rear animals - either for animal by-products such as milk, eggs or wool, or for meat.
Mixed farms grow crops and rear animals.
Extensive or intensive?
Extensive farming is where a relatively small amount of produce is generated from a large area of farmland.
Intensive farming is where a large amount of produce is generated from a relatively small area of land. Inputs will be high to achieve a high yield per hectare. Inputs could be either fertilisers, machines or labour.
THE FARMING SYSTEM
TASK 2: Copy this diagram to your notes and add 2 more examples for each box
CASE STUDY: AGRICULTURE IN SWITZERLAND
TASK 3: Watch the video below and answer the 10 questions below
Watch the video and answer the following questions:
What percentage of Switzerland's total area can be used for agriculture?
What type of crops are produced on the Central Plateau in Switzerland?
How has the diversity of agricultural production developed in recent years in Switzerland?
Why is international trade important for the agriculture sector in Switzerland?
Since when has production in Switzerland been subject to proof of ecological performance?
What challenges do farmers in Switzerland face, and what other activities do they rely on besides agriculture?
REVIEW
TASK 4: Test your knowledge of the key terms
Food Shortages
Examine the natural and human causes of food shortages
Food Shortages
Examine the natural and human causes of food shortages
Undernourishment (hunger) means that a person is not able to acquire enough food to meet the daily minimum dietary energy requirements, over a period of one year.
TASK 1: Describe the global distribution of countries with > 35% chronic hunger as shown in the map. Refer to regions of continents and specific countries in your answer.
TASK 2: Open the interactive story below. Read the story and take screen shots of pages illustrating the global situation. Add these to a document
FAMINE
TASK 3: Read the text below and write a definition for famine
According to the United Nations humanitarian criteria, even if there are food shortages with large numbers of people lacking nutrition, a famine is declared only when certain measures of mortality, malnutrition and hunger are met.
The criteria are:
At least 20% of households in an area face extreme food shortages with a limited ability to cope
The prevalence of acute malnutrition in children exceeds 30%
The death rate exceeds two people per 10,000 people per day
(Source)
CASE STUDY: FAMINE IN SOUTH SUDAN
TASK 4: Watch the video and note the main facts of this case study
TASK 5: Draw a sketch map to show the location of South Sudan in East Africa
FAMINE IN SOUTH SUDAN
TASK 6: Watch the video and answer the multiple choice questions below
Why are food and fuel prices soaring in South Sudan?
A. Due to the war in Ukraine draining funding for aid organizations.
B. Due to climate change causing flooding, drought, and famine.
C. Due to an increase in demand for food and fuel in the region.
How many people in South Sudan are estimated to face a hunger crisis this summer?
A. Over 10 million people.
B. More than half the population, over 7 million people.
C. About a quarter of the population, over 3 million people.
What is the current situation for Yabani Kong and her family in South Sudan?
A. They are living off the crops they planted despite the flooding.
B. They are surviving on WFP rations as their home was flooded and they cannot plant crops.
C. They have access to plenty of food and do not need assistance from aid organisations.
What has the World Food Programme (WFP) been forced to do due to funding being slashed?
A. Provide more aid than ever before.
B. Perform humanitarian triage by cutting rations in half.
C. Turn away those who need assistance.
TASK 7: Study the graphic below. List the natural and human causes of famine.
Solutions to Food Shortages
Evaluate food aid and the Green Revolution as solutions to increase food output
Solutions to Food Shortages
Evaluate food aid and the Green Revolution as solutions to increase food output
TASK 1: Recap 2 human and 2 natural causes of famine in South Sudan. What could be done to ensure this dooesn’t happen again in the future?
2.5 million people on the brink of famine in South Sudan, 2015
food aid
IMPORTANCE OF FOOD AID
TASK 2: Watch the two videos below and answer the questions in your notes
Why is malnourishment a problem for economic development in the long term?
Note the 5 issues explained in this video.
TYPES OF FOOD AID
TASK 3: Learn the vocabulary for different types of food aid below.
EXAMPLE OF ORGANISATION INVOLVED IN FOOD AID
TASK 4: Explore the Care organisation's website.
Briefly outline the history of the organisation. Where in the world are they currently supplying food aid?
the green revolution
TASK 5: Read the text and write a summary in your notes.
The Green Revolution was a period of intensive research and technological development in agriculture that took place from the 1940s to the 1960s. Its primary goal was to increase food production and improve food security, particularly in developing countries. This was achieved through the development and use of high-yielding crop varieties (HYVs), along with the increased use of synthetic fertilisers, pesticides, and irrigation.
Two examples of the Green Revolution in action are:
Introduction of high-yielding wheat varieties in India.
In the 1960s, a team of researchers led by American agronomist Norman Borlaug introduced high-yielding wheat varieties to India. These varieties were able to produce more grain per acre than traditional varieties, and they were also resistant to diseases such as rust. As a result, India's wheat production increased dramatically, from 12 million tons in 1965 to 30 million tons in 1970.
The use of fertilizer in Mexico.
During the 1950s and 1960s, Mexican farmers began using synthetic fertilizers to increase the productivity of their crops. This allowed them to produce more food on less land, which helped to alleviate food shortages in the country. The use of fertilizer was combined with the development of high-yielding maize varieties, which also contributed to Mexico's increased food production during this time.
TASK 6: Take notes on the video. Complete the quiz.
TASK 7: Select and explain the top 3 advantages and disadvantages of the green revolution.
Advantages
Yields are twice to four times greater than for traditional varieties.
The shorter growing season has allowed the introduction of an extra crop in some areas.
Farming incomes have increased, allowing the purchase of machinery, better seeds, fertilisers and pesticides.
The diet of rural communities is now more varied.
Local infrastructure has been upgraded to accommodate a stronger market approach.
Employment has been created in industries supplying farms with inputs.
Higher returns have justified a significant increase in irrigation.
Disadvantages
High inputs of fertiliser and pesticide are required to optimise production. This is costly in both economic and environmental terms. In some areas rural indebtedness has risen sharply.
HYVs require more weed control and are often more susceptible to pests and diseases.
Middle and higher-income farmers have often benefited much more than the majority on low incomes, thus widening the income gap in rural communities. Increased rural-to-urban migration has often been the result.
Mechanisation has increased rural unemployment.
Some HYVs have an inferior taste.
The problem of salinisation has increased along with the expansion of the irrigated area.
The Green Revolution Quiz
TASK 8: Test your knowledge of the green revolution using the quiz below.