Chapter 9 Production and Distribution of Food

Major Patterns of Food Production I. Crops and Modern Industrialized Agriculture A. Transformed from traditional agriculture with a move towards the Green Revolution B. Use of machinery C. Fertilizers and pesticides D. Irrigation High-yielding plant varieties (Green Revolution in Mexico with wheat) Situation Today

Old variety of wheat and high-yielding wheat

Traditional vs. Modern

Subsistence Agriculture in the Developing World Small parcels of land used to produce enough food for family and a small cash crop The move toward industrialized agriculture leads to nonsustainable practices and possible ecological devastation

Animal Farming One quarter of the world’s crops are used to feed domestic animals Like crop farming, there are the two patterns of industrialized farmers or pastoralists (subsistence farmers of animals) see page 225 Similar consequences of crop farming along with high production of methane (greenhouse gas)

Biotechnology Benefits: increased taste and nutrition; resistance to disease, pests and weed killer; incorporation of vaccines to humans; tolerance of harsh conditions; enhanced productivity (less land use) Problems: disease or pests may develop resistance; cross pollination may produce undesirable traits; possible allergic reactions; overuse of antibiotics may make pathogens in humans more resistant; unknown consequences Pros and cons - articles

Biotechnology (cont.) Policy: In the U.S., the USDA, the FDA and the EPA are trying to collaborate in providing country-wide policy regarding GMOs (genetically modified organisms) The Cartagena Protocol created by the UN enacts the precautionary principle regarding GMOs: where there are threats of serious damage, lack of scientific certainty should not be used as a reason for failing to take measures to prevent potential damage.

Food Distribution and Trade Food trade: allows countries to trade foodstuffs for other commodities or vice versa Grains such as wheat, rice, corn, barley, rye, and sorghum being the most important on the world market. Levels of responsibility in supplying food Family, country, global community

Hunger, Malnutrition and Famine Malnutrition is the lack of essential nutrients Undernourishment is the lack of adequate food energy Extent of Hunger 790 million in developing nations 34 million in developed world 2/3 of hungry in Asia and Pacific

Population growth and food supply

Hunger Consequences of hunger: 1) prevention of normal growth- mental and physical impairment 2) poor resistance to disease, thus more sickness 3) death (see page 256 – first paragraph) Cause of hunger: 1) lack of money or land 2) poor public policy 3) corruption of resources

Famine Severe shortage of food accompanied by a significant increase in death rate Caused by drought and/or war

Food Aid Distributed to countries where there is widespread hunger or the threat of severe famine (U.S. and Canada are the leaders in giving away food) Problems: Undercuts the local market Short-term solution – population increases