History of Agriculture and the Green Revolution

• Agriculture started 12,000 years ago.
• Agriculture was widespread by 9,000 years ago.
• The first evidence of irrigation dates back 8,000 years.
• Agricultural output and population have grown together.
• Increased food production involves more fossil fuel energy, planting/harvesting frequency, irrigation, fertilizers, pesticides, cultivated lands, and productive crop/livestock varieties.
• Food security means ensuring there is an adequate and reliable food supply for everyone.
• A sustainable food supply relies on maintaining healthy soil, water, and biodiversity.

The Green Revolution

• Agricultural scientists developed methods and technologies to boost crop output per unit area and shared these with the developing world.
• The Green Revolution is characterized by the rapid spread of new agricultural technology, especially high-yield seeds and fertilizers.
• Large amounts of synthetic fertilizers and chemical pesticides are applied in the Green Revolution
• Irrigation uses large amounts of water with around 70% of global water being used for crops.
• Heavy equipment powered by fuels are used.
• Intensified use of already cultivated land reduces pressures to convert additional natural lands.
• Deforestation and habitat conversion is prevented to some degree and land use is optimised.
• Monoculture has narrowed the human diet to 15 crop species and 8 livestock species.

Environmental Impacts

• Agricultural contaminants affect lands.
• Synthetic fertilizers affect human health

Subsistence Farming

• Families grow their own vegetables without surplus for sale.
• Subsistence farming is a huge factor in food production, often left out in the global economy.
• It is labor intensive.

Global Hunger and Malnutrition

• Key is that malnutrition includes both over and undernourishment, but the focus of global hunger is on undernourishment.

Importance of Soil

• Soil provides plants with minerals and nutrients for growth.
• Essential for gaseous exchange between roots and the atmosphere.
• Soil holds water for adequate aeration.
• It protects plants from erosion and other destructive physical/biological/chemical activity.

Soil Degradation

• Poor agricultural practices reduce soil's ability to support life.
• Cultivating unsuitable lands is a factor.
• Soil Degradation results from agriculture, deforestation, and overgrazing.
• In the last 50 years, soil degradation has reduced global crop production by 13%.
• Problems affecting soil productivity include erosion, desertification, salinization, waterlogging, nutrient depletion, structural changes, and pollution.

Desertification

• Desertification is the process by which fertile land becomes desert, typically due to drought, deforestation, or inappropriate agriculture.

Social Issues in Agriculture

• Social issues associated with agriculture include labor exploitation and child labor.
• Issues with no overtime pay.
• Loopholes to pay less than minimum wage.
• No job security.
• No benefits.
• Many agricultural workers are undocumented.

Fair Food Program (FFP)

• FFP improves agricultural worker rights and labor conditions by increasing wages.
• FFP establishes codes of conduct
• FFP monitors farms
• It provides worker protection and education.
• FFp provides health and safety committees.
• Harvesting practices are improved under FFP.
• FFP offers housing.

Sustainable Agriculture

• Sustainable agriculture does not deplete soils faster than they form.
• Sustainable agriculture relates to “low-input agriculture.”
• Low-input agriculture involves smaller amounts of pesticides, fertilizers, growth hormones, water, and fossil fuel energy.

Crop Rotation

• Crop rotation involves planting different crops sequentially on the same land.
• It increases soil fertility, structure, yields, and pest/disease control.

Cover Crops

• Cover crops are plants grown to improve soil health between main crop seasons.
• Improves soil health, biodiversity enhancement, and nutrient/water management.

No-Till Farming

• Plantimg crops WITHOUT tilling the soil has many advantages.
• Reduced soil erosion.
• Improved soil structure.
• Time and costs savings.
• Enhanced soil microorganism activity.

Integrated Farming

• Integrating crops and livestock combines crop production with animal husbandry.
• Improves soil health.
• Diversified income,
• Enhanced sustainability.
• Increased biodiversity

Transgenic GMOs

• Transgenic GMOs are genetically engineered using DNA from other species.
• Alterations of the genome involve genetic material of another species

Pros and Cons of Transgenic GMO Crops*

• Genetically Modified foods have become big business.
• Many traits engineered into crops make them more efficient and economical for farmers.
• Pros: Insect resistance, reduced chemical insecticides, reduced carbon emissions
• Cons: GMOs might be dangerous to eat.
• Transgenes may escape and pollute ecosystems or non-target organisms.
• Transgenes can transfer from GM crops to other plants, potentially creating "superweeds".
• Superpests can occur as pests build up resistance.

Precautionary Principle

• States no one should undertake a new action until the ramifications are well understood.
• GMOs must be studied and the effect known
• Comes into play with GMOs.

Explore the origins of agriculture around 12,000 years ago and its subsequent evolution. Learn about the Green Revolution, characterized by high-yield seeds, fertilizers, and irrigation. Understand the importance of sustainable practices for long-term food security.