3.1 Agricultural systems
Describe and identify the influence of inputs (natural and human) on the processes and outputs of each of the following agricultural systems:
• a large-scale system of commercial farming;
• small-scale subsistence farming.
Recognise the causes and effects of shortages of food and describe possible solutions to this problem.
Farming key terms and systems
Use the textbook page 232-233 and the document below to briefly (using bullet points) explain the Farming Types:
- Commercial
- Subsistence
- Arable
- Pastoral
- Mixed
- Intensive
- Extensive
| types_of_farming.pdf |
| farming_as_a_system.docx |
Subsistence Farming - Ganges River, India and Bangladesh
"3/4 of the world's population live in the developing world, and over 70% of these people are engaged in farming. Much of the produce from farming in the LEDC's is for subsistence. "
Create a case study on an agricultural system using the resources below.
Intensive rice production in the lower Ganges valley
Things to include:
Intensive rice production in the lower Ganges valley
Things to include:
- The location of the lower Ganges valley.
- The contribution of rice to the diet of people in the region.
- The temperature and climatic conditions of the region- Why is the physical environment good for rice cultivation?
- How the farming is carried out (processes)- why is it done in this way?
- Why is rice cultivation in the area considered to be an intensive form of agriculture ?
- Describe the inputs, process and outputs of this type of agriculture. Draw them in a systems diagram.
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The Ganges river flows eastwards from the Himalayas through northern India and into Bangladesh. The mouth of the Ganges is in the Bay of Bengal. Much of India and Bangladesh are very poor and a lot of the farming that takes place is subsistence farming (growing crops for immediate friends and family).
The area around the Ganges is moist (especially during the monsoon sea), warm (over 20 degrees centigrade most of the time) and fairly fertile (alluvium from flood events). Because of the natural inputs growing can take place most of the year and fairly intensively. However, growing rice is very labour intensive, rice paddies need to be constructed to hold water, irrigation channels need to be dug, seedlings planted, weeds removed and rice harvested. Because most of paddies and plots of land are small, very little equipment is used. As well as humans animals like water buffalo are used. Traditions means that plots of land are divided up after death which makes the farms less productive as they get smaller.
To try and improve yields in areas like the Ganges River the so called green revolution started in the late 1960's. The green revolution was an idea to introduce western plant varieties and farming techniques. The main change was the introduction of HYV crops which aimed to increase yields. The green revolution brought some successes and failures.
| intensive_agriculture_in_south_asia.pdf |
| subistence_rice_farming_in_india.pdf |
| rice_farming_in_south_asia.pdf |
Using this information write a model answer for these exam questions:
2012: For an example of small-scale subsistence farming at a named location which you have studied, describe the farming processes. [7]
2012: Name an area where small scale subsistence farming takes place. Explain why the farmers are subsistence farmers. [7]
2012: For an example of small-scale subsistence farming at a named location which you have studied, describe the farming processes. [7]
2012: Name an area where small scale subsistence farming takes place. Explain why the farmers are subsistence farmers. [7]
Large scale commercial farming: Fair Oaks farm
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Welcome to Fair Oaks Farm
Your commercial large scale case study will be of Fair Oaks Farm in Indiana, USA. Their website is here
To build your case study you will need the location map to the right as well as the videos underneath. Use the worksheet above to record down your responses.
Your case study should include the following:
1. Location. Where is the farm and check out the surrounding area using Google Maps / Google Earth to help you with part 2.
2. Natural inputs (relief, climate and soil)
3. Human inputs (economic, social and ICT).
4. Influences on the scale of production
5. How the farm works (milking & meat production)
6. The products of the farm.
7. Other Outputs (from the cows!)
Your commercial large scale case study will be of Fair Oaks Farm in Indiana, USA. Their website is here
To build your case study you will need the location map to the right as well as the videos underneath. Use the worksheet above to record down your responses.
Your case study should include the following:
1. Location. Where is the farm and check out the surrounding area using Google Maps / Google Earth to help you with part 2.
2. Natural inputs (relief, climate and soil)
3. Human inputs (economic, social and ICT).
4. Influences on the scale of production
5. How the farm works (milking & meat production)
6. The products of the farm.
7. Other Outputs (from the cows!)
| fair_oaks_farm_fill_in_sheet.pdf |
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Food shortages
Causes of food shortage:
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Assessment:
•2013: For a named area or country you have studied which suffers from food shortage, explain why there is a shortage of food. [7] •2016: For a named country or region you have studied, describe the effects of food shortages on the people who live there. [7] •2007: In many parts of the world the natural environment presents hazards to people. Choose an example of a drought. For a named area, describe the short-term and long-term effects of the example which you have chosen on people living in the area. [7]
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