Farming In South Africa By Sue Bothma Photo: G C Bothma Microsoft ® Encarta ® Reference Library 2005 By Sue Bothma

The science of managing plant growth for human use Agriculture Photo: Corel Photo House The science of managing plant growth for human use And managing animals for human use

Crop Farming Cultivation of plants for food Picture: Corel Photo House

Early Crop Farming Early tools used Gatherers from the stone age would cultivate their favourite crops Picture: Corel Photo House Early tools used

Crops in South Africa We get sweet corn and mealie products from maize Pictures: Corel Photo House We get sweet corn and mealie products from maize

Crops in South Africa We get cereals and flour from wheat Picture: Corel Photo House

Other Crops in South Africa Potatoes Peanuts Sunflowers Oats Sugar cane Citrus fruit Tropical fruit Many more… Picture: Corel Photo House

Less common crop Sorghum Photo: G C Bothma Picture: Corel Photo House Photo: G C Bothma This crop can grow well even with little water and poor soil.

Problems farmers face Pests destroy crops Not enough rain Poor Soil Photo: G C Bothma Photo: G C Bothma

Poor Rainfall Low rainfall in many regions Photo: G C Bothma Low rainfall in many regions Photo: G C Bothma Farmers have to irrigate the land

Problem Pests Insects eat the leaves of crops Weeds compete with crops Photo: G C Bothma Insects eat the leaves of crops Weeds compete with crops Worms destroy crops Photo: G C Bothma

Solution to Pests Plants can be sprayed with poison Picture: Corel Photo House Poison is not good for the environment

Solutions Special, tough seeds are developed Photo: www.monsanto.com Special, tough seeds are developed Farmers can buy and grow GM seeds

Poor soil Many regions have unsuitable soil Microsoft ® Encarta ® Reference Library 2005 Many regions have unsuitable soil Compost and fertilizer needs to be added

Do we need farmers? Farmers need to make sure that crops get enough water to grow Photo: G C Bothma Photo: G C Bothma

Do we need farmers? Farmers need to buy the best seeds They need to fight pests Photo: G C Bothma Photo: G C Bothma

Do we need farmers? Farmers need to enrich the soil with compost and fertilizer Microsoft ® Encarta ® Reference Library 2005 Photo: G C Bothma

Farmers bring us the best Farmers can produce good crops Photo: G C Bothma Picture: Corel Photo House

Farmers are very important Farmers can fight drought, poverty and famine Photo: G C Bothma Photo: G C Bothma

Bibliography Encarta Reference Library 2005 Montsanto Web www.montsanto.com Photographs: Mr. G C Bothma Pictures: Corel Photo House Photo: G C Bothma

Encarta 2005 Reference Library  director SUE BOTHMA assistant director ANNIE BOTHMA photography GURLING BOTHMA special thanks to Encarta 2005 Reference Library Corel Photo House Worms Armageddon Microsoft Sound Clips Microsoft PowerPoint The End Picture: Corel Photo House