Draw a farm on A4 paper. Add labels to describe and explain the different features. Share your work with the class.

farm.jpg
 

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

farming system.gif
 
 

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:

  1. What percentage of Switzerland's total area can be used for agriculture?

  2. What type of crops are produced on the Central Plateau in Switzerland?

  3. How has the diversity of agricultural production developed in recent years in Switzerland?

  4. Why is international trade important for the agriculture sector in Switzerland?

  5. Since when has production in Switzerland been subject to proof of ecological performance?

  6. 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