Agriculture in the 20th Century Quiz

Agriculture's Success in the 20th Century

• Yields per acre increased dramatically, food prices declined, and food production growth outpaced population growth, leading to a decrease in chronic hunger.
• This success was driven by advancements:
  • New plant varieties
  • Fertilizers and pesticides
  • Technological advancements
  • Irrigation expansion

Conventional Agriculture: Principles and Negative Impacts

• Conventional Agriculture emerged in the 20th century focusing on maximizing production and profits.
• It relies on seven key principles:
  • Intensive Tillage:
    • Deep and consistent soil cultivation, impacting soil structure and contributing to erosion, nutrient leaching, and compaction.
  • Monoculture:
    • Growing one or two crops on a large scale, making the ecosystem vulnerable to pests, disease, and financial stability.
  • Irrigation:
    • Water application for expanded farming, altering regional hydrology, requiring large infrastructure, and potentially leading to groundwater mining and leaching.
  • Inorganic Fertilizer:
    • Synthetic fertilizers developed during WW1, relying on fossil fuels and mining processes, impacting soil ecology, and contributing to water pollution.
  • Chemical Pest Control:
    • Pesticides, fungicides, and herbicides developed during WW2, causing ecological damage, disrupting beneficial insect populations, and posing risks to human health.
  • Genetic Manipulation:
    • Selective breeding and hybridization for desired traits, resulting in organisms with strengths and weaknesses, dependence on seed companies, reduced biodiversity, and potential genetic migration.
  • Factory Farming (CAFOs):
    • High animal density in confined spaces, raising concerns for animal welfare, disease outbreaks, genetic modification, and serious environmental impacts from waste management.

Sustainable Agriculture: Principles and Practices

• Sustainable agriculture prioritizes equitable production and distribution of high-quality, affordable food while protecting and enhancing agricultural systems.
• It emphasizes environmentally friendly practices:
  • Minimal Tillage and Mulching:
    • Reduces soil disturbance, promotes soil health, and conserves soil moisture.
  • Perennial Polyculture:
    • Growing multiple crops in the same space, increasing biodiversity, and reducing the need for pesticides and fertilizers.
  • Minimal Irrigation:
    • Employing efficient irrigation technologies to optimize water usage.
  • Localized Organic Fertility Systems:
    • Improving soil health through organic matter and natural fertilization methods, reducing dependence on synthetic fertilizers.
  • Integrated Pest Management (IPM):
    • A comprehensive approach that combines various techniques to manage pests effectively with minimal environmental impact.
  • Selection of Locally Adapted Plants and Animals:
    • Utilizing species best suited to specific environments, promoting local biodiversity, and reducing vulnerability to pests and diseases.
  • Localized Food Systems:
    • Shortening the distance between production and consumption to reduce transport costs and environmental impact.
  • Closed Nutrient Systems:
    • Minimizing waste and maximizing nutrient cycling within the agricultural system.
  • Local Place-Based Knowledge:
    • Utilizing traditional knowledge and practices for sustainable agricultural practices.
  • Eat Lower on the Food/Energy Pyramid:
    • Shifting dietary preferences towards less resource-intensive food options.
  • New Food Sources:
    • Exploring alternative protein sources such as algae, fungi, yeast, and insects.