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Changes in FarmingTypes of FarmingDiversification

The Green RevolutionFarming Systems

Factors Affecting FarmingSubsistence Farming in the Ganges Delta

Farming in the Developing WorldExit

Changes in Farming

Increase in Population

Government & EU Policies

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Changes in Farming – Increase in Population

Mechanisation

Agribusiness

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Mechanisation

Mechanisation is the high use of machinery, particularly in Arable farming or Market Gardening.

Machines are labour saving and efficient cutting down on labour.

Combine Harvesters are best on Large fields, hedgerows are in the way and therefore inaccessible by tractors, hedgerow removal must take place for efficiency, this is mainly a feature of arable farming.

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Agribusiness Agribusiness is large companies buying up

arable farms. Companies like Birds Eye are buying up farms and even financial companies like Scottish Widows. Agribusiness plays a huge part in arable farming, particularly in East Anglia.

Companies often own large scale farms, these are capital intensive.

“Farm Managers” run each farm. Agribusiness uses high technology and

agrochemicals such as fertilisers and pesticides to obtain maximum yields from the land.


Government & EU Policies (Including C.A.P)

Agriculture now has a lot of financial support from the Government because of the UK’s membership to the EU. The government can alter which crops are grown buy increasing subsidies for a particular crop and lowering subsidies for other crops. Farmers closely monitor subsidy prices.

The C.A.P has been very costly for the E.U, and over produce can lead to Grain Mountains or Milk Lakes.

Farmers now use more pesticides and Herbicides to obtain the maximum yield from their crops.


Types of Farming

Types of Farming

Arable – Crop growing mostly

found in the South East because of the

flat relief

Pastoral – Sheep Cows Pigs etc. Mostly found in North & West

because of the Poor Relief

Dairying – This is mostly found in the West. Good relief is desirable for cows.

Hill Sheep Farming - Mostly found in the

North because of the poor relief, the less profitable type

of farming.

Sedentary – The farmer stays in one

place.

Nomadic – The Farmer moves

around.

Subsistence - For the farmer and his

family ONLYCommercial –

Produce sold for a profit

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Diversification

Diversification is a farmer branching out into other activities.

How can I Diversify?

Power Generation – e.g. Elephant Grass

Tourism

Forestry

Sporting Activities

e.g. Quad biking, Sailing, Paintballing

Environmental Initiatives

Maintain Dry Stone Walls – LARGE PAYMENT

Organic FarmingPopular – Higher Prices

Other Crops/Animals

Llamas – Very Valuable Coats

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The Green Revolution

Overview

Pro’s & Con’s

Comparison

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The Green Revolution - Overview

The Green Revolution was brought in in the 1960’s by the Indian Government, at the time India was experiencing a rapid population growth.

THE RICH GOT RICHER, THE POOR GOT POORER

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HYV’s (High Yield Varieties)

Drought Resistant Fast Growing More fertilisers were needed. Grants/Loans were widely available. Crops were irrigated Causing the soil

to become salty.


The Green Revolution – Pro’s & Con’s

Good Points Yields Increased Other crops could be grown, e.g. sweet corn,

adding variation to diet. More money could be earned. Higher standard of Life

Bad Points Not very cheep. HYV’s were not available to peasants. People got into mass debt and were unable to

repay it


The Green Revolution Comparison

Feature In Sustainable Development

In The Green Revolution

Labour Uses Local People and Skills

Needs new skills and displaces workers with Machinery

Capital Uses limited amounts of Money

Large amounts of money are needed to buy seeds and fertilisers and machinery

Technology Uses low cost technology e.g. hand tools, hand operated pumps

Uses diesel pumps and diesel driven tractors which are expensive

Environment

Protects Environment e.g. kitchen waste, encourages natural predators to eat insects

Uses fertilisers/pesticides, damage water supply


Farming Systems

Farming Systems Definition

Farming System Diagram

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Definitions – Farming Systems

Inputs = Physical and Human raw materials that go into the Farming system

Processes = The activities required to turn inputs into outputs. Usually end in “ing”

Outputs = The end products of the farming system

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Farming Systems - DiagramPhysical Inputs

ClimateReliefSoils

Human InputsLabour

VetFarm Size

TechnologyMarkets

TransportAnimal FeedChemicalsFertilisers

SeedsSubsidiesAnimals

Processes

PloughingSowing crops

WeedingCrop spraying

GrazingLambingSheeringMilking

Fencing fields

Outputs

Cereal cropsVegetables

FlowersFruit

CalvesLambsWoolMilk

LambBeef

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Factors Affecting Farming

Physical Factors

Human Factors

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Factors Affecting Farming - Physical

Rainfall

Climate & Temperature

Sunshine Hours

Soil Type

Relief

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Factors Affecting Farming - Human

Labour

Finance

Market

Government Policy

Tradition

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Rainfall

All crops and animals require a reliable source of water. Cereal crops need some water e.g. 700mm

Dairy farms are found in the west because this is a dry part of the country and there is no big demand for rain.

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Climate & Temperature

Most plants get cold and don’t grow under 6°c. They need to grow mostly in the South East England where it is warmest.


Sunshine Hours

Sunshine has a major part in the growing of crops for example grapes need lots of sun and therefore grow well in Mediterranean conditions.


Soil Types

Crops grow well in deep fertile soils. Less fertile soils are prone to water logging and are best used for pastoral farming.


Relief

Mountainous areas are harder to farm on e.g. arable. Pastoral farming takes place on mountainous areas because there is no need for machinery to be used on the land.

Arable farming takes place on lowland as it is flat.


Labour

Work= Labour. Labour is widely available in LEDC’s

because there is a high population and no machinery. Where as MEDC farming requires low labour inputs as machinery is available

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Finance

The profit a farmer makes, depends on the amount of money that can be invested next year.


Market

If a farmer is to make a profit there must be a market close by, otherwise perishable goods will not last. Pastoral farms do not need to be close to a market.


Government Policy

In LEDC’s there are loans to buy machinery.

In the EU subsidies or grants are available


Tradition

Many farmers have been operating for generations, it would be very costly to change from a cereal farm with combine harvesters to a dairy farm with electronic milking parlours


Subsistence Farming in the Ganges Delta

The Ganges delta is in Bangladesh and some of India. The land Is mainly used for subsistence, sedentary, arable and intensive farming.

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Farming in the Developing World

Three quarters of the worlds population live in the developing world and are farmers.

Shifting Cultivation is a traditional form of subsistence farming, today it is an extensive form of agriculture and is only found in inaccessible areas. The soil quickly looses its fertility.

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End of Unit Revision – Agriculture AQA “A” GCSE Geography Click here to Continue