Chapter 9: Food from the Land (pgs. 144-161) Systems Model: Refers to a model of looking at any system (farming, oil production, tire factory, schooling) and recognizing there are inputs, processes, and outputs. Around the world people depend upon SOIL to provide food directly or indirectly. Over the centuries, humans have developed farming systems to develop soil as a resource, using expertise and technology to create profits. Regardless of the SIZE, LOCATION, or TYPE OF FARM, FARMING SYSTEMS share some basic characteristics. Fig: 9.1, pg. 144. These characteristics can go under three headings: 1. Inputs: Can be either NATURAL or HUMAN. Refers to those things that are put into the system. For example in farming the human inputs would include labour, equipment, fertilizer and irrigation systems, whereas natural inputs would include rain, sunshine, heat and soil type. Given a case study of a farming operation, you should be able to briefly describe (inputs) the workers and their source the kinds of tools and equipment used 1
the infrastructure the capital invested in the operation the types of seeds or young livestock used the nature of the land the quality of the soil climatic conditions harvesting. A key input of farming is LABOUR who does the work that allows soil and other components to produce food or some other kind of output. 2. OUTPUTS: Refers to those things that are produced by the system. For example in cattle farming the outputs could include beef and raw hide whereas vegetable farm outputs could include carrots, potatoes, cabbage, etc.. 3. FARM PROCESSES: Refers to those procedures that occur in the system to convert the inputs to outputs. For example in vegetable farming the processes would include, sowing seed, watering, fertilizing, weeding, aerating, harvesting. Given a case study of a farming operation you should be able to briefly examine (processes) the division of labour; who does what? the spatial movement of people and animals; Are the workers migratory? Are the animals moved between grazing lands? how the crops are planted; crop rotation, contour plowing, is any land left fallow? 2
irrigation and soil maintenance practices; is there a need for watering? How frequently do they fertilize? What do they fertilize with? the annual cycle of farming activities how farming activities spatially arranged These definitions give you a basic understanding so you can apply that knowledge to: Analyzing the processes in a farming operation. Relate farming processes to inputs. Relate the outputs in a farming operation to the processes and inputs. Procedures or operations performed on farm inputs to produce outputs. This is best done through examples. You do NOT need to memorize the specifics of every farm type you look at, rather you must be able to apply the "Systems Model" to any farming situation and determine inputs, processes and outputs. Types of Farms around the World: 1. Family-Operated Farms: At least half the labour is supplied by the farm operator and his family. Much small-scale farming is family run. 3
Case studies in text: Canada, Bangladesh, and Indonesia are typical of wide-ranging types of smallscale farming in the world. (pgs. 145-151) 2. Subsistence Farming farmers produce just enough food for their own needs produce not for sale. 3. Commercial Farming farmers produce crops or raise animals primarily for sale to others. 4. Intensive Farming: Small amount of land is cultivated with the goal of producing a high yield per unit of land. (Bangladesh case study in text) Agriculture with high level of inputs (capital and labour) and generally high yields. Usually found in regions of dense population and high land values. 5. Extensive Farming: Large tracts of land are devoted to producing a crop or raising animals. Farming with low inputs of capital and labour and generally low yields. 4
Regions of cheap available land where high revenues are unimportant. 6. Slash and Burn Cultivation: Shifting system of agriculture practiced by the Dayak people of Borneo. It is often called migratory agriculture. Soil can only be planted and harvested for 2-3 years (because of high bacterial action and leaching). Soil left to fallow for 20 years. 7. Large-Scale Farming: Occurs when dozens or hundreds of labourers are hired. Farming outputs support more than one family. Commercial farms Three case studies in text, pages 152-157. 8. Collective Farms farms controlled by the state. (Ukraine case study in text) 9. Agribusiness: Farms owned by corporations. Larger than single commercial farms. 5
Most distinctive aspect is its self-sufficiency. Produces all its own inputs and maintains its own processing facilities and marketing divisions. (Philippines case study in text) In less developed regions, hindrances to progress in both development and food supply are caused by: 1. Land ownership 2. Levels of agricultural output. 3. Degree of technological advancement. 6