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Revision:Farming at a Global ScaleTSR Wiki > Study Help > Subjects and Revision > Revision Notes > Geography > Farming at a Global Scale
Classification of FarmingThere are a number of classifications that can be used to distinguish between types of farm:
Economic StatusSubsistence farming – Grow only enough food & fibre for their own needs and so hardly ever enter into the cash economy. However there is usually some element of commercialism. Tends to dominate in LEDCs. E.g. Subsistence rice farming in the Ganges valley. Commercial farming – Produce agricultural commodities for sale as part of the agribusiness. The prime function is to make a profit. Capital is used to purchase items such as machinery. These farms are generally larger than subsistence farms due to the large expense so they can use economies of scale. Therefore they tend to dominate in MEDCs. E.g. Plantations & wheat cultivation. Collective farming – Occur where there is a centrally planned economy. In these societies agricultural production operates under a system of collective & state farms. The workers tend the land for a small salary but do not share in the profits. Generally these are not as productive as privately run farms. E.g. China, North Korea.
SpecialisationArable – arable is more efficient as there is greater food per unit area. Pastoral – Often a response to a limiting factor in the environment. Mixed
Intensity of Land UseIntensive farming – A small farm compared to the amount of labour & the money spent. There is a high yield per unit area and there are high levels of inputs. E.g. commercial market gardening in which there are high amounts of capital, technology, labour & fertilisers. The farms are often small & so investment is concentrated. Extensive farming – A large farm compared to the labour or money spent on it. There are lower levels of input and so there are lower yields per unit area. However because there is very low labour, profits are fairly high, therefore extensive farms can be just as profitable as intensive ones.
Nature of the Physical EnvironmentLand TenureShifting / nomadic cultivation. Sedentary – farming permanent.
Classification of Agricultural systems
Factors Influencing AgricultureThe location of agriculture is influenced by the characteristics of both the physical environment & the human environment. On a global scale climate is the dominant influence but on a more local scale soil and relief explain variation better. Type of farming dependent on:
An example of this is the Location of farming in Europe:
The Physical Constraints of Agricultural SystemsThe environment acts as a constraint on agriculture, as provides the basic essentials for plant life – heat, sunshine, water & soil. Different crops vary in their environmental requirements.
ClimateMost significant control – growth & survival
SoilInfluence on plant growth
ReliefEffect on climate & soils
Social, Economic & Political factors influencing Agricultural Land UseFarm size/ TenureFarm size varies due to land quality & availability. This determines whether farming is intensive or extensive. Farm size also determines prosperity – large farm allows economies of scale. Forms of tenure:
The impact on agricultural land use is often determined by the different access of these various groups to capital for investment. Inheritance laws – Generally farm size has increased along with increased commercialisation of agriculture. However in mainland Europe the land is often split equally between all the children of a deceased farmer leading to fragmentation of land. This has had a negative impact on the development of commercial farming.
AccessibilityTransport availability and distance from markets impacts on price. Even where transport costs have fallen this is still a strong influence.
MarketsThe size & type of markets is very important. E.g. there is a lack of milk production in China as many ethnic groups have an intolerance of dairy products. In the UK the rising popularity of organic goods has had a large impact on the type of goods produced in the UK. Also perishable goods tend to be grown near to market.
CompetitionThere is competition for land from urban sprawl or recreation. Increased globalisation of food production, so there is now greater competition with imports. This has been helped by the trend in reducing trade barriers. E.g. Uruguay has lost its specialisation in beef markets due to the development of beef industries in other countries. This had a catastrophic effect on Uruguay.
Economic FactorsIn developed countries farming is capital intensive. Used to maximise yields with mechanisation or by altering the landscape. In MEDCs farmers tend to rely on government subsidies. There is very little capital in LEDCs and so co-operative systems are more useful. There are, however problems of price stability & exploitation in LEDCs so they can’t get a fair price. Transport & markets are important in determining the crop but is no longer as important as it was due to the advance in technology. TNCs tend to use global markets to produce fruit & vegetables, as it is cheaper.
FarmersDecision makers with personal goals.
Government interventionForms one of the supporting structures of the food supply system and so is a major influence. The extent & impact of government interference has increased considerably during the 20th Century. Methods of support:
E.g. There is wide scale industrial farming in the UK to drive up production and be self-sufficient so now farming here extremely efficient. Also helped by the development of CAP. Similarly the World Trade Organisation & many TNCs have had a large role in developing global markets and global production patterns. There has also been the development of the agribusiness due to government intervention.
Human Impacts
Also See
CommentsThese notes were originally written by F1_fanatic and posted here on TSR Forums. They are suitable for people studying for geography at A Level. |
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