Food Production
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Agricultural systems
A farm operates as a system with inputs, processes and outputs.
Every farm is a system — understanding inputs, processes and outputs is the foundation for this topic.
Agricultural systems — Key Knowledge
- Physical inputs climate, soil, relief, water
- Human inputs labour, capital/money, seeds, machinery, fertiliser, pesticides
- Processes ploughing, planting, weeding, irrigating, harvesting, shearing, milking
- Outputs crops, meat, milk, wool, eggs, profit or loss
Subsistence vs commercial farming
The fundamental distinction in farming purpose.
Many farms in LEDCs are transitioning from subsistence to commercial as they gain access to markets.
Subsistence vs commercial farming — Key Knowledge
- Subsistence farming farmer grows food to feed their family; little or no surplus to sell; common in LEDCs
- Commercial farming farmer produces crops or livestock to sell for profit; large-scale, market-driven; common in MEDCs
Arable, pastoral and mixed farming
Farms classified by what they produce.
What a farm produces depends on climate, soil, relief and market demand.
Arable, pastoral and mixed farming — Key Knowledge
- Arable farming growing crops — wheat, rice, maize, vegetables
- Pastoral farming raising animals — cattle, sheep, goats, poultry
- Mixed farming both crops and animals on the same farm
Intensive vs extensive farming
Farms classified by the level of input relative to land area.
Intensive doesn't always mean chemicals and machinery — it can be labour-intensive (many workers on a small plot).
Intensive vs extensive farming — Key Knowledge
- Intensive farming high inputs per unit of land — lots of labour, capital or technology; high yields from a small area; e.g. market gardens, battery farming, rice paddies
- Extensive farming low inputs per unit of land — large areas with fewer workers and less technology; lower yields per hectare; e.g. cattle ranching, hill sheep farming
Natural inputs to farming
Physical factors that determine what can be farmed in an area.
Natural inputs set the limits — you can't grow tropical crops in a cold climate, no matter how much money you invest.
Natural inputs to farming — Key Knowledge
- Climate temperature determines growing season; rainfall provides water; some crops need specific conditions — rice needs warmth and standing water
- Relief flat land allows machinery and irrigation; steep slopes suit grazing not ploughing; altitude affects temperature
- Soil fertile, well-drained soil supports crops; thin, acidic soil suits only rough grazing
Human inputs to farming
Economic and social factors that influence farming decisions.
In MEDCs, capital and technology are the dominant human inputs; in LEDCs, labour is often more important.
Human inputs to farming — Key Knowledge
- Capital money for land, equipment, seeds, fertiliser
- Labour number and skill of workers
- Technology machinery, irrigation, GM crops, pesticides
- Government policy subsidies, quotas, trade agreements
- Market demand what consumers want to buy — affects crop choice
- Transport access to markets — perishable goods need fast transport
Causes of food shortages — natural
Physical factors that reduce food production.
Natural causes often trigger a crisis, but it's the human factors that determine how severe it becomes.
Causes of food shortages — natural — Key Knowledge
- Drought lack of rainfall — crops fail, livestock die
- Flooding destroys crops, erodes soil, contaminates water
- Tropical storms cyclones, hurricanes destroy crops and infrastructure
- Pests and disease locusts, crop blight can devastate harvests
- Soil degradation overuse, erosion, desertification reduces fertility
Causes of food shortages — human
Economic and political factors that prevent people from having enough food.
Most famines are caused by a combination of natural and human factors — rarely one alone.
Causes of food shortages — human — Key Knowledge
- War and conflict disrupts farming, destroys infrastructure, displaces farmers
- Poverty people can't afford to buy food even if it's available
- Poor transport and distribution food can't reach where it's needed
- Lack of investment in agriculture outdated farming methods, low yields
- Government corruption aid diverted, resources mismanaged
Effects of food shortages
The consequences of insufficient food supply.
Children and the elderly are the most vulnerable — malnutrition in childhood can cause permanent developmental damage.
Effects of food shortages — Key Knowledge
- Malnutrition and starvation weakened immune systems, stunted growth in children, death
- Disease contaminated water, weakened populations more vulnerable
- Migration people forced to move in search of food
- Economic damage reduced workforce, healthcare costs, lost productivity
- Social disruption conflict over resources, breakdown of communities
Responses to food shortages
Short-term and long-term strategies to address food insecurity.
Long-term solutions that build local capacity are more sustainable than emergency aid alone.
Responses to food shortages — Key Knowledge
- Short-term emergency food aid, clean water supplies, medical assistance
- Long-term improved irrigation, drought-resistant crop varieties, education for farmers, better storage and transport, land reform, fair trade
- Problems with food aid can undercut local farmers, create dependency, doesn't address root causes
Case studies required
The spec requires two named examples for food production.
Case studies should include specific named places and detail on both causes and responses.
Case studies required — Key Knowledge
- A farm or agricultural system inputs, processes, outputs — showing how factors influence the farm
- A country or region suffering from food shortages causes, effects, responses