1. Agribusiness and environmental impacts Lesson Aims: To find out what we mean by agribusiness. To find out the impacts that it can have on the environment.

3. Agribusiness

4. Small farms have amalgamated (joined together) into larger units. Owned by companies and run by managers.

5. The farmer may now produce his own chemical fertilisers, own all his own farm machinery and package his product on site.

6. Inputs Purchase of machinery, seeds, fertilisers. In an agribusiness the farmer might produce his own chemical fertilisers. He would need such a large quantity to cover all his land that it is cheap and more efficient if he can produce his own fertilisers

7. Processes Sowing seeds, irrigation, adding fertilisers, harvesting etc All the activity on the farm is now big business

8. Outputs Selling goods to companies who make bread, biscuits, beer, breakfast cereals. The farmer may now own his own freezers and packaging lines. For example peas require to be frozen within 24 hours of being harvested. This will save the farmer money on transportation. If he can also package the peas on site he can sell them directly to the supermarkets, cutting out the middle man and claiming more of the profit.

10. Crop Rotation Monoculture One crop is produced year after year from the same land. This means nutrients are constantly being taken from the soil and replace by heavy doses of chemical fertilisers

11. Environmental impacts What sort of environmental impacts do you think that agribusiness has caused? Talk with the person next to you and come up with as many ideas as you can. Write them down.

12. Environmental problems Farm machinery has cased greater pollution. Pesticides kill many insects that they are not meant to. Some believe that this is to blame for the decrease in the bee population in the UK. Other animals can also be harmed. They can also harm humans if they come in contact with them. Animal habitats are destroyed: The removal of hedgerows means that many animals homes have been taken away. Other habitats are destroyed by the machinery or use of pesticided.

13. Environmental problems Soil degradation: Soil erosion can be a consequence of modern agriculture. In the Fens, soils are light and dry out quickly during the summer. They are prone to wind erosion. Heavy machinery can compact soils resulting in puddling on the surface. Fertiliser can get into water supplies and cause many problems for plants. If it gets into rivers it can cause pollution in the sea.

14. Organic farming: Organic farming is the production of crops using only natural methods. Machinery can be used but no chemicals or fertilisers will be used. Q) What do you think are the positives and negatives of using Organic Farming methods?

15. Organic farming: Positives Less chemicals are used on the plants – so it is healthier for the people consuming it. Less pollution because less machinery and no fertiliser used. Animals and environment are not affected. Negatives Yields are lower. Much more time is spent on the crops, this means more money to grow them. The price of Organic food is high to reflect this. Higher chance of crops failing. Insects or disease can kill off crops.

16. GM Crops Genetically Modified crops (GM crops) are crops that have been scientifically engineered to be better. They will often be larger, look better and be more immune to disease. What do you think the positives and negatives of this type of farming could be?

17. GM Crops Positives Crops may be better equipped to deal with disease and resist pests. They may also contain more nutrients. In theory if the right “formula” was made the crops could end world hunger. Negatives Little research has been done into the hazards of GM crops. Companies own the seeds so farmers are forced to pay for new ones year on year. If they are too successful they could damage the economy of LEDC’s

18. Task: In no more than 100 words describe what agribusiness means. Read through the geo-active sheet Farming has divided in three directions: 1. Modern methods 2. Organic methods 3. GM crops List the advantages and disadvantages of each. What do you think is the best way forward?