Traditional & Modern Agricultural Practices (DP IB Environmental Systems & Societies (ESS))

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