Why do Farmers Face Economic Difficulty? 10.4

Issues for Commercial Farmers Two economic factors influence the choice of crops by commercial farmers: Access to markets Overproduction…the U.S. gov’t. spends $10 billion/year on farm subsidies.

Production of perishable goods needs to be located close to the market Von Thünen’s Model This model assumes that a commercial farmer considers which crop to cultivate and which animals to raise based on market location. Production of perishable goods needs to be located close to the market Production of products with a longer shelf life can be located farther away from the market

Von Thunen’s Model Two major considerations Cost of land Transportation costs Model assumes all things equal Did not consider site or situation Did not consider politics

Agricultural Areas Farther from Markets extensive agriculture (large farms/low labor/low output) have lower-valued land than locations near markets produce fewer perishable goods have less access to markets due to distance is at a location where farmers can maximize profits

Agricultural Areas Closer to Markets intensive agriculture (smaller farms/high labor/high output) have higher-valued land than locations far from markets produce perishable goods that need to be consumed ASAP have greater access to markets is at a location where farmers can maximize profits

Agricultural Land-Use Patterns Today Agricultural land use patterns differ today when compared with von Thünen’s time (1826) because of… refrigeration and food preservation improved transportation regional and global markets corporation decision making government policies agricultural products used for purposes other than food forests no longer occupy a zone close to markets

US Policies 1) encourage fallow or rest crops when a crop is over supplied 2) Pays farmers when crop prices are low (commodities) 3) Buys excess and sells/donates it

Sustainable Agriculture Agricultural practices that preserve and enhance the environment. Two characteristics of sustainable agriculture are… more sensitive land management better integration of crops and livestock

Ridge Tillage A system of planting crops on ridge tops to help lower production costs and achieve greater soil conservation.

Boserup’s Theory According to Boserup, subsistence farmers can increase food supplies for larger populations through intensification of production. She identified 5 basic stages of intensification of farmland… Forest Fallow: Fields are used for 2 years & left fallow for more than 20 years (the forest grows back) Bush Fallow: Fields are cleared and used for 8 years and left fallow for 10 years (small trees/bushes grow back) Short Fallow: Fields are cleared and used for approximately 2 years and left fallow for 2 years (wild grasses grow back) Annual Cropping: Fields are used yearly and left fallow by planting legumes & root crops.

Boserupt’s theory also states that subsistance farmers can increase production by adopting new farming methods Multicropping: Fields are used several times/year and never left fallow Boserup’s Theory basically says that populations will adjust or modify agriculture to meet their needs…even in LDCs Ester Boserup

Marijuana grown in Mexico is shipped across the border illegally. Drug Crops The export crops chosen by some LDCs, especially in Latin America and Asia, are those that can be converted into drugs. Coca plants are grown in Columbia, Peru, and Bolivia and are used in the manufacture of Cocaine. Marijuana grown in Mexico is shipped across the border illegally. Most opium originates in Asia, especially Afghanistan, Myanmar, and Laos.

Subsistence Farming and International Trade Many LDCs generate funds by selling MDCs fruits & vegetables that are out of season or can’t be grown in their area. Some of this money is used to buy agricultural supplies

Strategies to Increase Food Supply Four strategies can increase food supplies: Expand the land area used for agriculture Increase the productivity of the land Identify new food sources Increase exports from other countries

Desertification Loss of agricultural lands due to human actions (over planting, overgrazing, or tree cutting) that transform semi-arid regions into deserts. The UN estimates over 100,000 sq. miles of arable land is lost to desertification annually.

Excessive Watering Waterlogged and/or excessive salinity in soil also takes place when areas are irrigated too much and have poor drainage.

Urbanization has reduced the available arable land…especially in MDCs.

Dr. Borlaug with his students in Mexico, 1964. The Green Revolution The invention and rapid diffusion of more productive agricultural techniques to LDCs between 1945 – 1985. This included creating new strains of higher yield seeds and changing agricultural practices so that more crops were grown commercially. The IRRI’s scientists introduced a hybrid of Indonesian rice & Taiwan dwarf rice that was hardier and increased yields. Dr. Borlaug with his students in Mexico, 1964. Dr. Norman Borlaug received the Nobel Prize for his work creating a “miracle” rice seed.

Fertilizers & Mechanization In order to take advantage of miracle seeds, farmers must use more fertilizer and machinery…these are too expensive for many farmers in LDCs. Using artificial fertilizers, insecticides, and herbicides help increase production. Irrigation systems insure that crops get enough water. Using tractors and other machinery makes work easier and more efficient.

Where was the Green Revolution most successful? The Green Revolution was most successful in places where… there was a market economy transportation infrastructure was in place there was political stability farmers had the knowledge and education to use new technologies there was credit or “seed” money available people were willing to adopt new farming techniques and methods

Asia and the Green Revolution Asia was the place where green revolution technologies and practices had the greatest impacts…especially in the production of rice. SOUTH ASIA India SOUTHEAST ASIA Vietnam SOUTHEAST ASIA Indonesia SOUTHEAST ASIA Philippines EAST ASIA China

Africa’s Food-Supply Crisis The Green Revolution had little effect in Africa because… artificial fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides are too expensive for poor drought or low water tables in many areas climatic factors (desertification) limited amount of arable land limited funds to purchase necessary equipment, seeds, etc. difficult for women to obtain credit water pollution

In the future, new sources for food could come from… New Food Sources In the future, new sources for food could come from… The Oceans Higher protein cereals Cultivating seaweed of the island of Zanzibar. Eating more foods that are rarely consumed by humans like soybeans and krill.