ESS 5.2: Terrestrial food production systems and food choices

factors that influence sustainability of food production systems

industrialisation

fossil fuel use

seed, crop and livestock farming methods

water use

fertilisers

pest control

antibiotics

legislation

levels of commercial vs. subsistence food production

what factors affect level of food production and farming practices?

environmental conditions; topography and soil conditions

access to technology

available financial funds

cultural and environmental value systems

government and political initiatives

subsistence farming

farming to provide food for own use

intensive subsistence farming

farming to provide food for own use and some for sale profit

intensive commercial farming

large scale farming for profit

how does farming practices differ in MEDCs?

• large-scale farming

• extensive industry

• heavy dependence on fossil fuels

• heavy water demands

• extensive use of fertilisers & pesticides

• use of antibiotics

• use of pollinators

farming practices in LEDCs

• small-scale, labour intensive

• small industry

• use of manual labour

• use of water

• no fertilisers/pesticides

• no antibiotics

• no pollinators

differences in food production and consumption around the world

MEDCs:

• cheap food

• food chosen based on preference, not nutritional value

• all-seasonal supplies of food

• high food supply

LEDCs:

• low food supply

• high food prices

• limitations on food production; lack of land, political agendas or environmental limitations

• crops are exported for profit, not for local communities

causes in imbalance in food distribution

ecological: some climates and soils are better for food production; weather; declining biodiversity

economic: advanced technology and money can overcome ecological limitations

socio-political: underinvestment in rural areas

why is waste production lower in LEDCs?

• less is bought, lower incomes

• less packaging

• disposable items are used less

• smaller population

how does population growth affect food production systems?

increased population → increased pressure on arable land, water, energy and biological resources to provide an adequate supply of food

factors that can increase sustainability of farming methods

• altering human activity → reduce meat consumption; increase consumption of organic and locally produced food

• organic farming

• polyculture > monoculture

• alternatives to pesticides/fertilisers

• improve accuracy of food labels → to better support consumer choices; help them to make informed choices

• legislation → monitoring, controlling and regulating; drugs, pesticides, conditions

case study: contrasting farming systems

intensive beef production in South America:

commercial farming; for export; quality over quantity

inputs → high use of labour, extensive use of antibiotics and hormones, extensive use of fertilisers, lots of energy used in transporting meat

outputs → cheap meat, better quality, lower quantity of meat

environmental impact → eutrophication, high pollution runoff, high animal waste, habitat destruction (to make bigger fields), extensive greenhouse gases

Maasai tribal beef production:

subsistence farming; local consumption; quantity over quality

inputs → low labour, low water, no technology, no fertilisers/pesticides, larger number of cattle

outputs → greater yield, worse quality

environmental impact → low impact (but) overgrazing and erosion due to the high number of cattle