Traditional & Modern Agricultural Practices (HL IB ESS OLD COURSE - IGNORE)

Revision Note

Traditional Agricultural Practices

Nomadic pastoralism

  • Nomadic pastoralism is a form of agriculture where livestock is herded to different pastures in a seasonal cycle

    • For example, Bedouin tribes in the Middle East traditionally move their camels, goats and sheep across desert regions to find grazing land

  • Characteristics:

    • Relies on natural pasture and water sources

    • Adapted to arid or semi-arid environments

    • Minimal permanent settlements

    • Seasonal changes control movement

Slash-and-burn agriculture (shifting cultivation)

  • Slash-and-burn agriculture is a method of agriculture where forests are cut down and burned

  • Crops are grown on the cleared land for a few years until the soil is depleted of nutrients

    • For example, Indigenous tribes in the Amazon rainforest traditionally practice slash-and-burn to grow crops like cassava and maize

  • Characteristics:

    • Sustainable in low-density populations

    • Allows regeneration of forest over time

    • Relies on a rotating cycle of land use

Challenges with traditional practices

  • Environmental impacts:

    • Deforestation and loss of biodiversity from slash-and-burn

    • Overgrazing and soil erosion can occasionally result from nomadic pastoralism

  • Modernisation and population growth:

    • Traditional agricultural methods become unsustainable as populations grow and land becomes scarce

    • Indigenous cultures are increasingly transitioning to more sedentary lifestyles

    • This leads to overuse of land and resources

The Green Revolution

What was the Green Revolution?

  • The Green Revolution refers to a series of research, development and technology initiatives that took place between the 1950s and 1960s

    • These initiatives aimed to increase agricultural production and food security globally

  • It is also known as the Third Agricultural Revolution

Key initiatives of the Green Revolution

  • High-yielding varieties (HYVs):

    • Breeding of crops like wheat, rice and maize to produce higher yields

    • E.g. IR8 rice, known as 'Miracle Rice', developed in the Philippines

  • Improved irrigation systems:

    • Development and expansion of irrigation infrastructure

    • Helped transform arid and semi-arid lands into highly productive agricultural areas

    • E.g. the Indus Basin Irrigation System in Pakistan

  • Synthetic fertilisers:

    • Use of chemical fertilisers to provide essential nutrients to crops

    • The production of synthetic fertilisers is dependent on nitrogen fixation

      • This means their production relies on fossil fuels

  • Pesticides:

    • Application of chemical pesticides to protect crops from pests and diseases

Positive consequences of the Green Revolution

  • Increased food production:

    • Significant increase in crop yields and food availability

    • Helped alleviate hunger and food shortages in many regions

  • Economic growth:

    • Boosted agricultural economies and increased farmer incomes

    • For example, Mexico became a major wheat exporter due to Green Revolution practices

  • Technological advancements:

    • Led to further agricultural research and innovation

Negative consequences of the Green Revolution

  • Environmental impacts:

    • The overuse of chemical fertilisers and pesticides led to soil degradation and water pollution

    • Loss of biodiversity due to intense monoculture practices

  • Economic inequality:

    • Resulted in greater economic benefits for larger, wealthier farmers compared to small-scale farmers

    • Increased debt for farmers who could not afford new technologies

  • Sociocultural effects:

    • Displacement and loss of traditional farming practices

    • Increase in rural to urban migration due to changes in agricultural labour demands

  • Selective implementation:

    • The Green Revolution was not universal

    • It did not reach all developing nations

    • Regions without access to necessary resources and infrastructure saw limited benefits

Synthetic Fertilisers & Sustainable Methods

Synthetic fertilisers

  • Synthetic fertilisers are chemical compounds applied to soil to supply essential nutrients for plant growth

    • Their purpose is to maintain high commercial productivity in intensive farming systems

  • Advantages:

    • Immediate nutrient supply to crops

    • Increased crop yields and faster growth

  • Disadvantages:

    • Soil degradation over time

    • Water pollution from runoff

    • Dependency on fossil fuels for production

Sustainable methods for improving soil fertility

  • In sustainable agriculture, there are many alternative methods for improving soil fertility

Sustainable Methods for Improving Soil Fertility

Method

Definition

Benefits

Fallowing

Leaving land uncultivated for a period

Allows soil to recover and regain nutrients

Reduces need for synthetic fertilisers

Organic Fertiliser

Using manure from farm animals or human waste (humanure)

Improves soil structure and fertility

Reduces need for synthetic fertilisers

Herbal Mixed Leys

Planting a mixture of herbs and grasses

Provides diverse nutrients to the soil

Improves soil health and biodiversity

Mycorrhizae

Symbiotic fungi that enhance plant nutrient uptake

Increases plant access to nutrients

Reduces need for synthetic fertilisers

Continuous Cover Forestry

Maintaining a continuous canopy of trees

Prevents soil erosion due to root systems binding soil and interception of rain by forest canopy

Increases soil organic matter and fertility

Agroforestry

Integrating trees and shrubs into agricultural landscapes

Improves soil health

Reduces soil erosion

Provides additional sources of income (e.g. fruit, timber)

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