FOOD AND AGRICULTURE AND ENVIRONMENT

WORLD FOOD SUPPLY AND THE ENVIRONMENTModern food problem is associated

with two processes:The great increase in human

population outstrips local food production in many areas.

An inadequate food distribution system for these growing population

WORLD FOOD SUPPLY AND THE ENVIRONMENTIncrease in world food production

in the past have been accomplished in two ways: Increase the area in food

productionIncreasing the production per

unit area

LAND, PEOPLE, AND AGRICULTURE:

11% of the total land area of the world is in agriculture

In the future, when the human population doubles, the production of agriculture must double, just to meet the present level of per capita food consumption. The associated problem is:◦ More land will be required for the housing of the

additional population. we need to increase productivity per unit area Food production depends on the environment

e.g., drought, lack of crucial resources.

AN ECOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE ON AGRICULTURE:

Biome: large naturally occurring community of flora and fauna occupying a major habitat

Agro-ecosystems : Agriculture can be viewed as human-developed biome which can be termed as agro-ecosystems.

SOIL AND AGRICULTURE:

Agricultures depend heavily on soil quality but can lead to a decline in that quality: Amount of organic matter declines

Traditionally, farmers combat the decline in the soil fertility by using: Organic fertilizer such as animal manure Chemical or Artificial fertilizers.

WAYS TO INCREASE THE FOOD SUPPLY:

  Green Revolution: Development of new types

of crops with higher yields, better resistant to diseases, or better ability to grow under poor condition.

Improved Irrigation: improve yield and reduce overall water use.

Increasing the amount of agricultural land:

EFFECTS OF AGRICULTURE ON ENVIRONMENT ON-SITE OR PRIMARY EFFECTS:

◦ Includes erosion, loss of soils, and increase in sedimentation downstream in local rivers.

OFF-SITE OR SECONDARY EFFECTS

◦Global effects include climatic changes as well as potentially extensive changes in global biogeochemical cycles.

MAJOR ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS THAT RESULT FROM AGRICULTURE INCLUDE:

Deforestation Desertification Soil erosion Degradation of water resources Salinization Accumulation of toxic metals Accumulation of toxic organic

compounds Soil, air, and water pollution