Please enable JavaScript.
Coggle requires JavaScript to display documents.
Factors affecting intensity of food production - Coggle Diagram
Factors affecting intensity of food production
Physical
Relief
gentle/flat relief more productive
soil erosion less likely to occur and nutrients in the soil not washed down
steep relief less productive
more likely to remove topsoil as it becomes less stable when saturated w water and gets washed down the slope
altitude - higher alt lower temp
terracing - cutting of steps into a hillside to create flat land
Soils and drainage
fertile soil - rich in nutrients for plant growth
drainage - ability of the soil to retain or drain off water
Climate
output usually higher in areas with higher temp and rainfall
Temperature - rate of photosynthesis and germination
difficult for crops to grow in temps below 5deg
Rainfall
Seasons - affect length of growing season
tropical countries usually have more than one growing season compared to temperate countries
Economic
Purpose of farming
Subsistence
production of crops to feed farmer and family
Commercial
large-scale production intended to sell for profit
Demand and supply
EG: china heightened demand for corn bcs corn -> cows demand for meat
USA increase production to export corn to china
Agribusiness
better able to exploit their agricultural land bcs better access to technologies
Political
Government policy
agricultural policy
govt can influence intensity of food by deciding how limited resources may be used
Farmer development and education
govt channel resources
EG: India, Punjab Agriculture Dptm
Euc programme for farmers to lean about best available seed varieties, pesticide treatment and irrigation methods
Food policy
decision made by a govt that affects how food is handled
stockpiling - setting aside and storing of food to ensure food security during emergencies
diversification of food supply
International policy
ASEAN
ASEAN +3 Emergency Rice Reserve 2011
asean =3 emergency rice reserve - china kr jap contribute rice into stockpile as emergency food supply for countries in need during disasters
greater intl coop allows more stable agreements and allow food production to be intensified reliably and wo fear
Technological advances
Green Revolution - rapid increase in productivity of agriculture through the use of science and technology
HYV
increased growth rate
Pest resistant
higher output per unit area in fields
EG: wonder rice 100 vs usual 120 growing days
Fertilisers
bring nutrients back to the soil and increase crop yield
ensure plants get sufficient nutrients
Pesticides and herbicides
chemical substances used to kill organisms that may threaten crops
ensure plants can grow unencumbered and insects dont eat harvests
Irrigation
supplying water to land by unnatural means to help crops grow
dry land -> increase crop yield
EG: Libya great manmade river supplies water to many farms in sahara desert
Mechanisation
use of machinery to replace manual labour
speeds up processes as more land can be tended more efficiently with less labour