Food production

Types of inputs

• intensive

• Extensive

Intensive agriculture

• small area of land

• Lots of workers

• Large amounts of inputs

• Near to market

• Large quantities of output for area covered

Extensive agriculture

• large area of land

• Few workers

• Low levels of inputs

• Often remote

• Small quantities of output for area covered

Types of processes

• arable

• Pastoral

• Mixed

Arable farmers

Grow crops.

Processes: ploughing, sowing, fertilizing and harvesting

Pastoral Farmers

Raise livestock

Processes: feeding, breeding, milking and veterinary care

Types of outputs

• subsistence

• Commercial

Subsistence farming

Grows enough food for the farmer and their family. Rather than for selling

Commercial farming

Crops and livestock are grown and raised to sell to markets in order to make a profit

Market gardening

Small farms which sell vegetables, salas and fruit directly to consumers. Farms are very close to the markets

Plantations

Large farms which tend to be for the cultivation of single crops (monocultures)

Hill sheep farmers (challenges)

• hill sheep farming does not make a profit

• Changing subsidies

• Changes in demand from exports

• Pests and disease

• Costs of inputs and processes

Average earnings: $11000USD a year

2001: infections disease called foot and mouth

Causes of food shortages

• war and conflict

• Natural disasters

• Climate

• Pests and disease

• Infrastructure

Effects of food shortages

• malnutrition

• Rising prices of food

• Social unrest

• Migration

• Cycle of poverty

Emergency aid

Aid provided by charities and NGOs after a disaster

Conditional aid

When one country donates money to another with conditions attached

Development aid

Provided by NGOs to local communities for education and skills

Multilateral aid

Given through international organizations which governments donate to (eg World Bank)

Advantages of aid

• lives saved

• Rebuilds lives faster

• Improves health

• Countries can be helped

• Improved living standards

Disadvantages of aid

• LEDCs can become dependent on aid

• Corruption can prevent the aid from reaching people who need it

• LEDCs may struggle to repay aid

• Investments by MEDCs menas profits go back to MEDCs