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5.2 Terrestrial Food Production (FPS) Systems, Maasai tribal use of…
5.2 Terrestrial Food Production (FPS) Systems
Case Study
Intensive beef production
Cattle are a vital source of livelihood
Both systems aims to maximize the benefits derived from cattle
Cattle in both systems hold symbolic importance (status and cultural identity)
Differences:
Movement of the cattle is restricted
The goal is to commercialize and gain the profit
Inputs: Technology, heating, food
Outputs: cost-effective production
Advantages:
Cost effective with high output per unit of land, labor, and output
Selective breeding and efficient feeding systems result in faster growth and larger biomass, increasing meat production
Limited movement in confined spaces means cattle use less energy, reducing the amount of food required
Disadvantages:
High environmental impact - high energy inputs - greenhouse gas emissions -significant waste production
Ethical concerns due to restricted movement, confined living conditions and stress for the animals
Transportation the animal lead to pollution and the use of land lead to land degradation
Shifting cultivation
known as slash-and-burn agriculture, is a traditional farming practice where land is cleared by cutting and burning vegetation, followed by the cultivation of crops for a few years before moving to a new area. This method is often practiced in tropical regions and is characterized by its rotation of fields to allow for soil recovery.
Advantages:
Soil Fertility
The burning process adds nutrients to the soil, enhancing initial crop yields.
Biodiversity
It can promote biodiversity by creating varied habitats for different plant and animal species.
Low Input Costs
Requires minimal financial investment in fertilizers and machinery, making it accessible for small-scale farmers.
How It Works
Land clearing
Burning
Cultivate
Fallow period: land left alone
Disadvantages:
Deforestation
: Can lead to significant forest loss and habitat destruction
Soil Degradation
: Over time, continuous cultivation can deplete soil nutrients and lead to erosion.
Climate Impact
: The burning process releases carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases, contributing to climate change.
Wet Rice Ecosystem
Cultivation of rice in flooded feilds known as paddies,
These ecosystems thrive in areas with sufficient water supply, typically found in river valleys, deltas, and coastal plains.
Advantages
High Productivity
: Wet rice ecosystems can yield substantial amounts of food, supporting billions globally.
Biodiversity Support
: These ecosystems can foster diverse aquatic life, enhancing ecological balance.
Disadvantages
Greenhouse Gas Emissions
: Wet rice paddies are significant sources of methane emissions due to anaerobic decomposition of organic matter.
Climate Vulnerability
: The reliance on consistent rainfall makes these systems susceptible to droughts or excessive flooding, which can devastate crops.
North American Cereal Farming
Both farming method relies on rainfall, and uses domestic breeding stock
Soil fertility and water management are important for maintaining yields
Both farming are vulnerable to the effects of climate variability, such as droughts and floods
Differences:
Large-scale commercial farming. Use of land usually exceed hundreds or thousands of hectares of farms
Monoculture with a focus on one or two major cereal crops like wheat or soybeans
Use fertilizers, pesticides, and heavy rely on advanced technology
Advantages:
Large-scale cereal farming contributes to the U.S and Candian economies, especially in export markets
Advanced technology reduce irrigation, pest management systems and enhance the productivity, sustainability and resilience
The use of fertilizers and pesticides have significantly boosted harvest volumes
Disadvantages:
The extensive commercial farming requires large areas of land - thus lead to habitat loss
Monoculture practices deplete the soil of specific nutrients (same croups takes the same nutrients from the soil repeatedly)
The use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides can lead to water pollution and harm the environment
Increase sustainability
Altering human activity to reduce meat consumption
Initiative like "Meatless Monday" encourage people to go meat-free one day a week
Clear labeling of plant-based and their benefits can help consumers make informed choices
Adv:
People are more aware about the benefits of plant-based diets
It can decrease greenhouse gas emissions, deforestation and water usage as the production require large amounts of water and land
Reducing meat consumption helps to protect ecosystems and biodiversity by preventing habitat destruction
Dis:
Meat has been consume in many cultures and traditions. Changing these may be difficult as people resist to change
In some areas, plant-based food may not be as readily available or affordable as meat, making it harder for people to change
Many people enjoy taste and texture of meat
Organic farming
Relies on natural fertilizers like compost, green manure
This practice involves growing different types of crops in the same area in sequential seasons.
Adv:
By avoid using synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, it reduces chemical runoff into water - decrease pollution
Improve soil sturcture and fertility, leading to helathier crops
Provide fresh, healthy food to communities
Dis:
Involves higher costs due to the use of natural fertilizers and pest control
Sometimes can result in lower yields compared to conventional farming
The method is complex and require careful planning and monitoring
Planting of buffer zones
planted with a mix of trees, shrubs and grasses
Placed along the edges of fields, particularly near streams, rivers and water bodies
Adv:
The roots of the plants help hold the soil in place, reducing erosion and preventing the sediment from entering waterways
Buffer zones can enhance the infiltration of water into the ground, replenishing groundwater supplies
-It can absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere - helping to mitigate climate change
Dis:
It can reduce the land available for crop production or pasture
Can be expensive due to the costs of purchasing plants, preparing the land
Monitor and control
E.g The Commision on Sustainable Agriculture and Climate Change working towards the integration of sustainable agriculture into national and international policies
Increase investment in sustainable agriculture over the next decade
Adv:
Regulatory bodies help reduce the enviornmental footprint and food production
Monitoring and control systems help prevent food diseaes and ensures that food products are safe for consumption
Dis:
It difficult to monitor and enforce standards consistently across different countries and regions
Food corporations may resist regulatory changes that increase their costs or require significant adjustments to their practices
Links between social system and FPS
Socioeconomic Factors
Higher income
country tend to have a
higher demand
for meat and processed food due to high purchasing power
Low income
country may rely more on
subsistence farming
methods due to limited resource
Cultural Factors
specific crops
or
livestock
can influence the selection of food production systems
vegetarian cultures
, such as India, the choice of food production systems may
prioritise plant-based agriculture
Religious or ethical beliefs
may influence
preferences for organic, vegetarian, or sustainable food production methods
Ecological Factors
Natural resources,
such as land availability, climate conditions, and water availability, determine the suitability of specific food production systems
For example, in
areas with limited water resources
, such as arid regions, food production systems may focus on
drought-resistant crops and efficient irrigation techniques
Political factors
Government policies
promoting organic farming or providing subsidies
For example, the
European Union's Common Agricultural Policy (CAP)
includes financial support for farmers who adopt
organic farming practices
Import and export
regulations and trade agreements
For example, the
United States
has import restrictions on certain
agricultural products
to protect domestic farmers
Food security
and
self-sufficiency goals
For example, in Japan,
the government
has implemented policies to promote
self-sufficiency
in rice production
Economic
factors
Cost-effectiveness, profitability, and market demand
For example, countries with a
strong agricultural sector
may prioritise
large-scale industrial farming for export
purposes
On the other hand,
small-scale sustainable farming
may be more economically viable in regions with limited resources
Comparing Terrestrial Food Production Systems
Input
Land
: Terrestrial food production systems require varying amounts ofland, ranging from extensive grazing systems to highly intensive agricultural practices using relatively smaller areas of land
Water:
Different systems have different water requirements, depending on factors such as irrigation methods, crop types, and livestock hydration needs
Energy:
The energy inputs in food production systems can vary greatly - industrialised systems tend to rely heavily on fossil fuels for machinery, transportation, and synthetic inputs like fertilisers, while traditional systems may rely more on human labour and organic inputs
Inputs of fertilisers and pesticides:
Conventional agricultural systems often rely on synthetic fertilisers and pesticides to enhance crop yields, whereas organic systems prioritise the use of naturalfertilisers and pest control methods
Output
Food production:
The quantity and quality offood produced vary among different systems - some systems prioritise high yields, while others focus on specialty or organic products
Waste and by products:
Different systems generate varying amounts and types of waste, such as crop residues, animal manure, and packaging materials
System Characteristics
Scale:
Systems can range from small-scale subsistence farming to large-scale industrialised
agriculture
Diversity:
Some systems promote crop diversity, while others may focus on monoculture practices
Livestock:
Systems may involve the raising oflivestock for meat, dairy, or manure
Technology and mechanisation:
The level oftechnological advancement and mechanisation
varies, with industrialised systems heavily relying on machinery
Environmental Impacts
Biodiversity:
Different systems can have varying impacts on biodiversity, with intensive agriculture often associated with habitat destruction and loss of biodiversity
Soil degradation:
Intensive agricultural practices can lead to soil erosion, degradation, and loss of
fertility, while sustainable practices prioritise soil conservation and improvement
Water pollution:
The use of synthetic fertilisers and pesticides in conventional systems can
contribute to water pollution through runoff and leaching
Greenhouse gas emissions:
The carbon footprint of food production systems can vary significantly, with industrialised systems often associated with higher emissions due to fossil fuel use
Socioeconomic Factors
Labor requirements:
Different systems require varying levels of labour, with industrialised systems often characterised by fewer labour-intensive practices
Cultural and social values:
Different food production systems align with cultural and social values, such as organic farming,traditional practices, or supporting local communities
Economic viability:
Some systems prioritise high yields and profitability, while others focus on
social and economic sustainability,fairtrade, and local markets
Food accessibility and affordability:
The cost and availability offood vary across systems, with industrialised systems often associated with higher production volumes and lower costs, but potential issues related to food access and distribution
Food Wastage
MEDC
Retailer
Reject crops because don't meet marketing standards (size/appearance)
Food unsold, disposed if exceeds
'best before date'
Customer
Purchase excessive food quantity (promotion)
home wastage
thrown away if exceeds
'best before date'
LEDC
Harvesting
Damaged or inappropriate size or misshaped product
Inefficient harvesting
Storage
Store under unsuitable farm site conditions
Mold & pest destroy/degrade large quantities of food material
Retailer
Aesthetic standards, packaging defects, overstocking
Inadequate refrigeration
Consumer
Excess food purchases
Inappropriate storage
Misunderstanding labeling
Processing & Packaging
Damage to product during washing or preparation
Loss to insects, rodents
Distribution
Inadequate local transport & poor infrastructure (roads)
Bruised as vehicles travel over poorly maintained roads
Factors influence societies choice of FPS
Socioeconomic
Market force determine supply & demand food in free market economy
shortage/short supply
price rice
surplus/excess supply
price fall
Cultural
Some culture favours subsistence farming, some religious proscribe certain food
consumer power (organic, meat diet, local food)
Political
Policies
(price control /subsidy/tariffs)
encourage or discourage production or consumption of foods
Economic
Transport, technology & market capital availability
food miles
total cost
growing crops
keeping livestock
Investment
building
machinery
technology
Ecological
Local climate determine what food can grow there
precipitation
soil type
fertility
angle of slope
wind intensity, etc
temperature
Factors influencing TFPS
Agribusiness
Scale of farming
Industrialization
Mechanization
Fossil fuel use
Seed/ Crop/ Livestocks choices
Water use
Fertilizers, Pest control
Small-scale:
More labour intensive but still rely on chemicals to boost production
Limited industry, limited opportunities
People grow their own food
Use draft animals or human power
Less stressful on soil and can manure
Powered by plants, no burning of fossil fuels
Manual labour or draft animals
Less pollution produced
Indigenous organisms
No need for irrigation, glass houses or imports of feedstuffs
Requires water which can be used unsustainably
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Large-scale:
Rely heavily on machinery, chemicals, and extensive use of fossil fuels
many people working
provided with food from large-scale commercial farming
Lots of heavy machinery
Damage soil
Uses lot of fossil fuels
Heavy dependence on fossil fuels (finite resource)
produce large amount of pollution
Non-indigenous crops or animals
Create need for irrigation, glass houses, imports of feedstuffs
Heavy water demands
Require large-scale irrigation solutions
Divert water from people
Localized water supply problems
Drop in water table
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Subsistence
Commercial
LEDC
MEDC
Maasai tribal use of livestock
Differences:
The livestock are able to move freely
The use of cattle: Subsistance (Maasai culture, social structure and symbol of wealth)
Inputs: human labor
Output: Enough food to feed the local community
Advantages:
Low environmental impact: Animal graze naturally, reducing the need for artificial inputs like feed, pesticides or fertilizers
Livestock are central to Maasai culture and social status and cattle provide food, economic security and cultural identity
Disadvantages:
The quantity is more important than the quality (as it symbolizes the wealth)
Overgrazing and desertification
Limited output: the system does not generate significant economic output for market trade, limiting income generation
South East Asia (SEA) subsistence farming
Differences:
Small-scale with farms often scale from 0.5 to 2 hectares per family
More diversified farming systems including rice alongside vegetables, fruits and livestock
Minimal pollutants as no synthetic chemicals are used
Disadvantages:
Traditional farming practices often result in lower crop yields compared to North American cereal methods - lead to lower productivity
Continous farming on the same land without proper soil manangement can lead to the soil fertility and land degradation
This farming just enough to feed their families - may limits their income and makes them vulnerable to economic fluctuations
Advantages:
Practices are generally more environmentally sustainable than commercial farming, often using organic or traditional farming methods
Subsistence farming often involves diverse crops, which can enhance biodiversity and resilience against pests and diseases
It ensures that family have a steady supply of food, reducing their dependance on external sources