Form 1 Agriculture Notes PDF

AGRICULTURE  THE PRACTICE OF GROWING CROPS ON CULTIVATED LAND AND REARING OF ANIMALS. IT IS SUBDIVIDED INTO: FIELD CROPS CULTIVATION: MAIZE, BEANS, POTATOES, COFFEE, TEA, COTTON TO NAME BUT A FEW. HORTICULTURE: IT INVOLVES THE GROWING OF PERISHABLE CROPS WHICH HAVE HIGH VALU...

AGRICULTURE  THE PRACTICE OF GROWING CROPS ON CULTIVATED LAND AND REARING OF ANIMALS. IT IS SUBDIVIDED INTO: FIELD CROPS CULTIVATION: MAIZE, BEANS, POTATOES, COFFEE, TEA, COTTON TO NAME BUT A FEW. HORTICULTURE: IT INVOLVES THE GROWING OF PERISHABLE CROPS WHICH HAVE HIGH VALUE. IT IS FURTHER SUBDIVIDED INTO: FLORICULTURE - THE GROWING OF FLOWERS. OLERICULTURE - THE GROWING OF VEGETABLES. POMOCULTURE - THE GROWING OF FRUITS.  AS A SCIENCE, IT INVOLVES EXPERIMENTATION AND APPLICATION OF SCIENTIFIC KNOWLEDGE IN SUCH AREAS AS; SOIL ANALYSIS, CONTROL OF PESTS AND DISEASES, FARM MACHINERY AND STRUCTURES, CROP AND LIVESTOCK BREEDING. AS AN ART, IT INVOLVES THE USE OF LEARNED SKILLS IN; TILLING THE LAND, CONSTRUCTION, MEASUREMENT, HARVESTING OF CROPS,  FARMING AS A SYSTEM FARMING CAN ALSO BE LOOKED AT AS A SYSTEM WITH INPUTS, PROCESSES AND OUTPUTS. IN FARMING, PHYSICAL (NATURAL) AND HUMAN IMPACTS ARE NORMALLY SEPARATED HUMAN INPUTS: THINGS THAT ARE BUILT OR MADE BY HUMANS AND ADDED TO A FARM. PHYSICAL INPUTS: NATURAL THINGS THAT ARE EITHER FOUND ON A FARM OR ARE ADDED TO A FARM. PROCESSES: THE EVENTS THAT TAKE PLACE ON A FARM TO TURN INPUTS INTO OUTPUTS. OUTPUTS: THINGS THAT ARE PRODUCED ON A FARM AND ARE OFTEN SOLD. AGRICULTURAL SYSTEM PEOPLE OFTEN SAY THAT A FARM OPERATES AS A SYSTEM. A SYSTEM HAS INPUTS, PROCESSES AND OUTPUTS.  LIVESTOCK FARMING THIS BRANCH DEALS WITH THE REARING OF LIVESTOCK FOR VARIOUS PRODUCTS. IT IS FURTHER SUBDIVIDED INTO: PASTORALISM: THIS IS THE REARING OF MAMMALIAN LIVESTOCK SUCH AS CATTLE, SHEEP, GOATS, RABBITS, PIGS AND CAMELS. FISH FARMING (AQUACULTURE): THIS IS THE PRACTICE OF REARING FISH AND OTHER AQUATIC ORGANISMS , IN PONDS. BEE KEEPING (APICULTURE): THIS INVOLVES THE REARING OF BEES IN STRUCTURES KNOWN AS BEEHIVES. POULTRY KEEPING: THIS IS THE KEEPING OF DOMESTICATED BIRDS.  INPUTS ARE THINGS WHICH ARE PUT INTO THE FARMING SYSTEM SUCH AS LABOUR, CAPITAL (MONEY), SEEDS AND LIVESTOCK. THESE CAN BE SPLIT INTO PHYSICAL AND HUMAN INPUTS. PROCESSES ARE THE THINGS WHICH ARE DONE ON THE FARM SUCH AS PLANTING, MILKING, HARVESTING OUTPUTS ARE THE THINGS WHICH COME OUT OF THE FARM AT THE END OF THE SYSTEM SUCH AS MILK, EGGS, MEAT, CROPS AND CAPITAL PROFIT (MONEY MADE) FEEDBACK IS AN OUTPUT WHICH IS THEN PUT BACK INTO THE SYSTEM. SUCH AS A PROFIT USED TO THEN PURCHASE MORE INPUTS SUCH AS SEED FOR THE NEXT YEAR. HUMAN INPUTS: THINGS THAT ARE BUILT OR MADE BY HUMANS AND ADDED TO A FARM. PHYSICAL INPUTS: NATURAL THINGS THAT ARE EITHER FOUND ON A FARM OR ARE ADDED TO A FARM  HUMAN INPUTS LABOUR (WORKERS) MACHINERY (TRACTORS, COMBINE HARVESTERS, ETC.) BUILDINGS (BARNS, SILOS) SEED TO GROW CROPS ANIMAL FEED FERTILISERS AND PESTICIDES CALVES, CHICKS, PIGLETS, ETC. (SMALL ANIMALS BOUGHT TO REAR AND LATER SELL)  PHYSICAL INPUTS SOIL: IF SOIL IS FERTILE THEN ARABLE FARMING IS LIKELY TO TAKE PLACE, IF IT IS LESS FERTILE AND CAN ONLY SUPPORT GRASS THEN PASTORAL FARMING IS LIKELY TO TAKE PLACE. PRECIPITATION: WATER THAT HELPS WATER THE CROPS. SUN: ENERGY TO HELP PLANTS AND ANIMALS TO GROW. RELIEF: IF LAND IS FLAT THEN IT IS EASIER FOR ARABLE FARMING TO TAKE PLACE. IF LAND IS HILLY THEN PASTORAL FARMING IS MORE LIKELY TO TAKE PLACE. DRAINAGE: IT IS IMPORTANT THAT FIELDS ARE WELL DRAINED SO THEY ARE NOT PERMANENTLY FLOODED. APART FROM RICE MOST CROPS AND ANIMALS CAN'T SURVIVE BEING PERMANENTLY SUBMERGED.  PROCESSES REARING: THIS IS THE CARING FOR AND SUPPORT OF ANIMALS TO MATURITY. SHEARING: THE REMOVING OF WOOL FROM ANIMALS, NORMALLY SHEEP. PLOUGHING: TURNING OVER THE LAND AND PREPARING IT FOR PLANTING SEEDS. FERTILISING: ADDING CHEMICALS TO THE SOIL TO TRY AND MAKE IT MORE FERTILE. WEEDING: REMOVING ALIEN PLANTS (PLANTS OTHER THAN THE CROPS YOUR ARE GROWING) FROM CROP FIELDS. IRRIGATING: WATERING THE LAND. CULTIVATING: TO CARE FOR AND GROW CROPS. HARVESTING: THE COLLECTION OF CROPS AT THE END OF THE GROWING SEASON. SLAUGHTERING: THE KILLING OF ANIMALS ONCE THEY HAVE REACHED MATURITY AND ARE READY TO SELL. PLANTING: PUTTING SEEDS INTO THE GROUND  OUTPUTS PROFITS MEAT PRODUCTS (LAMB, BEEF, CHICKEN, PORK) WOOL (NORMALLY FROM SHEEP) MILK (NORMALLY FROM COWS) WASTE E.G. ANIMAL EXCREMENT METHANE (MAINLY FROM COWS) CROPS (CORN, WHEAT, CARROTS, POTATOES, ETC.)  FARMING TYPES PASTORAL FARMING: THE REARING OF ANIMALS. ARABLE FARMING: THE GROWING OF CROPS. MIXED FARMING: FARMING THAT REARS ANIMALS AND CULTIVATES (GROWS) CROPS. SUBSISTENCE FARMING: FARMING THAT INVOLVES ONLY REARING ENOUGH ANIMALS AND/OR GROWING ENOUGH CROPS TO SUPPORT IMMEDIATE FRIENDS AND FAMILY. SHIFTING CULTIVATION: FARMING THAT MOVES FROM ONE LOCATION TO ANOTHER EVERY COUPLE OF YEARS. COMMERCIAL FARMING: FARMING FOR THE PURPOSE OF MAKING A PROFIT.  TYPES OF FARMING EXTENSIVE FARMING: WHERE THERE ARE RELATIVELY FEW INPUTS (AND POSSIBLY OUTPUTS) PER HECTARE OF LAND NORMALLY A LARGER FARM RELATIVELY FEW INPUTS PER HECTARE RELATIVELY FEW WORKERS PER HECTARE RELATIVELY LOW YIELDS PER HECTARE INTENSIVE FARMING: WHERE THERE ARE RELATIVELY HIGH INPUTS AND OUTPUTS PER HECTARE OF LAND. NORMALLY A SMALLER FARM RELATIVELY HIGH INPUTS PER HECTARE RELATIVELY HIGH NUMBER OF WORKERS PER HECTARE RELATIVELY HIGH YIELDS PER HECTARE  PASTORAL FARMING IT IS ALSO KNOWN AS LIVESTOCK RANCHING AND IT FOCUSES ON REARING ANIMALS. UNLIKE NOMADIC HERDING, FARMERS DO NOT MOVE FROM ONE PLACE TO ANOTHER IN SEARCH OF PASTURE AND WATER, BUT LIVE IN SETTLEMENTS. PASTURE LANDS ARE DEVELOPED FOR GRAZING THE ANIMALS. EXAMPLES INCLUDE DAIRY FARMING,RAISING BEEF CATTLE AND RAISING SHEEP FOR WOOL. MANY AREAS ACROSS THE GLOBE WITH LARGE PIECES OF LAND WITH ENOUGH GRAZING AREAS FOR ANIMALS PRACTICE THIS TYPE OF AGRICULTURE FOR COMMERCIAL REASONS. SOUTH AMERICA, NORTH AMERICA AND AUSTRALIA ARE SOME REGIONS ACROSS THE WORLD THAT INTENSIVELY PRACTICE COMMERCIAL PASTORAL FARMING ON LARGE-SCALE DUE TO LOW RAINS RECEIVED IN THE AREAS. THE ANIMALS IN RANCHES ARE MAINLY KEPT FOR WOOL AND MEAT. DAIRY FARMING IS ALSO A CRITICAL ASPECT OF PASTORAL FARMING. HOWEVER, THE ACTIVITY IS NOT SUSTAINABLE BECAUSE EXCESSIVE GRAZING CAN LEAD TO DESTRUCTION OF NATURAL PASTURES. THEREFORE, FARMERS END UP BUYING FEEDS FOR THEIR ANIMALS, MAKING THE PRACTICE COSTLY. CONDITIONS THAT FAVOUR PASTORAL FARMING ARE : 1.STEEP SLOPE – HIGHLY STEEP AREAS ARE NOT SUITABLE TO GROW CROPS AS THE PUTTING MACHINERY IN THESE AREAS IS DIFFICULT AND CAN BE DANGEROUS. SO, IT IS BETTER TO KEEP THE ANIMALS THAT CAN ADJUST TO THE SLOPES 2.POOR SOIL NUTRITION – SOILS WHICH ARE LESS NUTRITIOUS AND CAN SUPPORT ONLY THE GROWTH OF GRASS, THUS WORKS BEST FOR PASTURES. 3.EXTREME CLIMATE – VERY COLD AND WET CLIMATE MAKES IT IMPOSSIBLE FOR CROPS TO GROW AND HENCE ANIMAL FARMING IS A GOOD OPTION FOR PEOPLE LIVING IN SUCH CONDITIONS. 4.WINDY REGIONS – STRONG WINDS CAN DESTROY CROPS OR EVEN FLATTEN THEM MAKING THEIR GROWTH DIFFICULT. IN THAT CASE, ANIMALS CAN EASILY SURVIVE AND CAN BE A GOOD SOURCE OF INCOME FOR FARMERS.  ADVANTAGES THE FARMER CAN OBTAIN MEAT OR MILK FROM THE ANIMALS. THE FARMER CAN USE THE DROPPINGS FOR MANURES. DISADVANTAGES EXCESSIVE GRAZING WILL DESTROY THE VEGETATION OF THE LAND. OVER GARZING WILL CAUSE EROSION. THE ANIMALS COULD ALSO BE ATTACKED BY PREDATORS. THERE COULD BE EASY OUTBREAK OF DISEASES SUCH AS ANTHRAX  INPUTS  LABOUR (WORKERS)  MACHINERY  BUILDINGS  SEED TO GROW CROPS  ANIMAL FEED CALVES, CHICKS, PIGLETS, ETC. (SMALL ANIMALS BOUGHT TO REAR AND LATER SELL) SUN: ENERGY TO HELP PLANTS AND ANIMALS TO GROW.  PROCESSES  REARING: THIS IS THE CARING FOR AND SUPPORT OF ANIMALS TO MATURITY.  SHEARING: THE REMOVING OF WOOL FROM ANIMALS, NORMALLY SHEEP.  SLAUGHTERING: THE KILLING OF ANIMALS ONCE THEY HAVE REACHED MATURITY AND ARE READY TO SELL  VACCINATING  DIPPING  MILKING  OUTPUTS  PROFITS  MEAT PRODUCTS (LAMB, BEEF, CHICKEN, PORK)  WOOL (NORMALLY FROM SHEEP)  MILK (NORMALLY FROM COWS)  WASTE E.G. ANIMAL EXCREMENT METHANE (MAINLY FROM COWS)  ARABLE FARMING ARABLE FARMING MEANS THAT ONLY CROPS ARE GROWN ON A FARM AND THEN USED OR SOLD BY THE FARMER ACCORDING TO HIS NEEDS. THE ARABLE FARMING NEEDS SLIGHTLY SLOPING LAND, FERTILE SOIL WITH BALANCED MOISTURE I.E. NOT TOO DRY OR WET, WARM CLIMATE TO SUPPORT GROWTH AND SUITABLE MACHINERY AND HUMAN RESOURCES TO WORK. THE SOUTHERN AND EASTERN PART OF THE UK HAS MANY ARABLE FARMS.  ARABLE FARMING IS INFLUENCED BY VARIOUS PHYSICAL, HUMAN, AND ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS. THE MAIN PHYSICAL FACTORS THAT INFLUENCE ARABLE FARMING ARE RELIEF, CLIMATE, SOILS, AND BIOTIC FACTORS. RELIEF AND CLIMATE MUST BE SUITABLE FOR CROP CULTIVATION. HUMAN FACTORS LIKE ACCESS TO CAPITAL, LABOR MARKETS, LAND OWNERSHIP POLICIES, AND GOVERNMENT AGRICULTURAL POLICIES ALSO INFLUENCE WHAT CROPS FARMERS CAN GROW AND WHETHER THEIR FARMS WILL BE PROFITABLE.  INPUTS PHYSICAL INPUTS CLIMATE: TEMPERATURES, RAINFALL, SUNSHINE LAND: RELIEF, FERTILITY, SOIL QUALITY HUMAN INPUTS CAPITAL MACHINERY AND TOOLS SEEDS MARKET INFLUENCE FERTILISERS AND PEST CONTROL IRRIGATION  PROCESSES PREPARING THE LAND: CLEARANCE OF VEGETATION, PROVIDING TERRACING, DRAINAGE AND IRRIGATION PLOUGHING SOWING WEEDING AND APPLYING PEST CONTROL HARVESTING STORAGE/TRANSPORT TO MARKET OUTPUTS CROPS MEAT MILK INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTS SUCH AS COTTON, LEATHER, OR RUBBER WASTES PROFITS (REVENUE)  MIXED FARMING MIXED FARMING IS A FARM MANAGEMENT SYSTEM THAT COMBINES THE PRODUCTION OF DIFFERENT CROPS TO SELL (CEREALS, FODDER, ETC.) WITH ANIMAL PRODUCTION (MILK, MEAT, EGGS, ETC.). IN OTHER WORDS IT IS DEFINED AS THE KEEPING OF ANIMALS AND THE GROWING OF CROPS AT THE SAME FARM MOST FARMS HAVE DIVERSIFIED INTO ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND CROP PRODUCTION AS A WAY OF INCREASING PROFITS IF CROPS DO NOT DO WELL,ANIMAL HUSBANDRY HELPS. DURING DROUGHTS,ANIMALS CAN BE MOVED TO BETTER AREAS TO CONTINUE WITH THE PRODUCTION  CHARACTERISTICS OF MIXED FARMING BOTH ANIMALS AND CROPS ARE PRODUCED AT THE FARM IT REQUIRES LARGE CAPITAL TO FUND ALL THEIR OPERATIONS ANIMAL WASTE CAN BE USED AS MANURE FOR CROP FIELDS CROP RESIDUE CAN BE USED TO FEED THE ANIMALS  SUBSISTENCE FARMING IT IS A FARMING TYPE IN WHICH NEARLY ALL CROPS GROWN OR LIVESTOCK KEPT ARE USED TO SUSTAIN THE FARMER AND HIS/HER FAMILY LEAVING LITTLE,IF ANY,SURPLUS FOR SALE OR TRADE. THIS FARMING TYPE IS CHARACTERISED BY THE FOLLOWING PRODUCTION IS DONE FOR FAMILY CONSUMPTION THE MARKET IS PROVIDED FOR BY THE FARMER IT IS DIVERSIFIED FAMILY LABOUR IS USED LOW LEVEL OF CAPITALISATION ELEMENTARY TOOLS ARE USED EG HOES,AXES  DRAUGHT POWER IS USED THE SCALE OF PRODUCTION IS VERY LOW THERE IS LOW TECHNOLOGY USED SMALL SIZES OF LAND USED  ADVANTAGES OF SUBSISTENCE FARMING IT IS COST EFFECTIVE IT DOES NOT REQUIRE THE HIRING OF LABOUR IT IS A READY SOURCE OF EMPLOYMENT IT IS A SOURCE OF FOOD SUPPL TO THE FAMILY IT IS FLEXIBLE  DISADVANTAGES THERE IS LIMITED PRODUCTION AS FARMERS PRODUCE ONLY FOR THEIR FAMILY CONSUMPTION IT DOES NOT PROVIDE ROOM FOR PROFIT MAKING SMALL SCALE FARMERS ARE VULNERABLE TO CLIMATE CHANGE IT DOES NOT ATTRACT INVESTORS FARMERS CANNOT TAKE ADVANTAGE OF AN INCREASED DEMAND FOR THEIR PRODUCE  COMMERCIAL FARMING IT CAN BE EITHER EXTENSIVE OR INTENSIVE DEPENDING ON THE SPACE USED COMMERCIAL AGRICULTURE IS FOR BUSINESS PURPOSES CROPS OR LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION IS PRIMARILY DONE FOR SALE TO MARKETS WITHIN OR OUTSIDE THE COUNTRY COMMERCIAL FARMING HAS PLAYED AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN EMPLOYMENT CREATION AS WELL AS CONTRIBUTING TO NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT THROUGH EXPORTS EXAMPLES OF COMMERCIAL FARMING INCLUDES CATTLE RANCHING, DAIRY FARMING, MARKET GARDENING, PLANTATION AGRICULTURE  CHARACTERISTICS OF COMMERCIAL FARMING PRODUCTION IS DON FOR SELL AND LITTLE CONSUMPTION MARKETS ARE FOUND ELSEWHERE SPECIALISED FARMING IN WHICH A NARROW RANGE OF CROPS OR ANIMALS IS TENDED A HIGH DEGREE OF MECHANISATION,EG,THE USE OF TRACTORS AND COMBINE HARVESTERS THE SCALE OF PRODUCTION IS VERY HIGH HIGH TECHNOLOGY IS USED LARGE FARMS ARE USUALLY USED CASH CROPS ARE GROWN FOR SELL EG,COFFEE,RICE,TOBACCO,WHEAT ETC  ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF COMMERCIAL FARMING INCREASE THE PRODUCTION: PROPER UTILIZE OF MACHINERY AND ELECTRICITY: CREATE EMPLOYMENT MAIN SOURCE OF RAW MATERIAL DISADVANTAGES DESTROY NATURAL RAINFOREST: PROMOTE CHEMICAL FERTILIZER WHICH KILLS THE SOIL NEED HIGH CAPITAL FOR PRODUCTION:  AGRO ECOLOGICAL REGIONS OF ZIMBABWE AGRO-ECOLOGICAL ZONING(AEZ) IS THE DIVISION OF AN AREA WITH SIMILAR CHARACTERISTICS RELATED TO CLIMATE AND THE POTENTIAL PRODUCTION. ZIMBABWE IS DIVIDED INTO SIX MAIN NATURAL REGIONS ACCORDING TO DIFFERENCES IN EFFECTIVE RAINFALL  NATURAL REGION I THIS REGION LIES IN THE EAST OF THE COUNTRY. IT IS CHARACTERIZED BY RAINFALL OF MORE THAN 1 000 MM/YEAR (MOST OF WHICH FALLS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR), LOW TEMPERATURES, AND STEEP SLOPES. THE COUNTRY'S TIMBER PRODUCTION IS LOCATED IN THIS REGION. THE PLANTATIONS ARE OWNED MAINLY BY THE STATE THROUGH THE FORESTRY COMMISSION AND BY MULTINATIONALS. THERE ARE SEVERAL SMALL OWNER-OPERATED PLANTATIONS AND SAWMILLS. NR I IS IDEALLY SUITABLE FOR INTENSIVE DIVERSIFIED AGRICULTURE AND LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION, MAINLY DAIRY FARMING. COMMON CROPS ARE TROPICAL CROPS SUCH AS COFFEE AND TEA, DECIDUOUS FRUITS, SUCH AS BANANAS AND APPLES, AND HORTICULTURAL CROPS, SUCH AS POTATOES, PEAS AND OTHER VEGETABLES. FLOWERS, SUCH AS PROTEAS (PROTEACEAE SPP.), ARE GROWN FOR EXPORT. EXAMPLES OF AREAS INCLUDE EASTERN HIGHLANDS** (E.G., NYANGA AND MUTARE) - KNOWN FOR TEA AND COFFEE PRODUCTION.  NATURAL REGION II THIS REGION IS LOCATED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NORTH OF THE COUNTRY. THE RAINFALL RANGES FROM 750 TO 1 000 MM/YEAR. IT IS FAIRLY RELIABLE, FALLING FROM NOVEMBER TO MARCH/APRIL. BECAUSE OF THE RELIABLE RAINFALL AND GENERALLY GOOD SOILS, NR II IS SUITABLE FOR INTENSIVE CROPPING AND LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION. IT ACCOUNTS FOR 75-80 PERCENT OF THE AREA PLANTED TO CROPS IN ZIMBABWE. THE CROPPING SYSTEMS ARE BASED ON FLUE-CURED TOBACCO, MAIZE, COTTON, WHEAT, SOYBEANS, SORGHUM, GROUNDNUTS, SEED MAIZE AND BURLEY TOBACCO GROWN UNDER DRYLAND PRODUCTION AS WELL AS WITH SUPPLEMENTARY IRRIGATION IN THE WET MONTHS. IRRIGATED CROPS INCLUDE WHEAT AND BARLEY GROWN IN THE COLDER AND DRIER MONTHS (MAY-SEPTEMBER. THE MAIN LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION SYSTEMS INCLUDE BEEF, DAIRY, PIG AND POULTRY. EXAMPLES OF AREAS INCLUDE THOSE IN MASHONALAND EAST AND WEST** - NOTABLE FOR MAIZE, TOBACCO, AND HORTICULTURE.  NATURAL REGION III NR III IS LOCATED MAINLY IN THE MID-ALTITUDE AREAS OF THE COUNTRY. IT IS CHARACTERIZED BY ANNUAL RAINFALL OF 500-750 MM, MID-SEASON DRY SPELLS AND HIGH TEMPERATURES. PRODUCTION SYSTEMS ARE BASED ON DROUGHT-TOLERANT CROPS AND SEMI-INTENSIVE LIVESTOCK FARMING BASED ON FODDER CROPS. THE PREDOMINANT FARMING SYSTEM IS SMALLHOLDER AGRICULTURE. LARGE-SCALE FARMING ACCOUNTS FOR 15 PERCENT OF THE ARABLE LAND PRODUCTION, MOST OF THE LAND BEING USED FOR EXTENSIVE BEEF RANCHING. SMALLHOLDER AGRICULTURE IN THE COMMUNAL FARMING AREAS IS UNDER RELATIVELY INTENSIVE CROPPING SYSTEMS. THE MAIN CROPS ARE MAIZE (THE STAPLE FOODGRAIN) AND COTTON (A MAJOR CASH CROP). NR III IS SUITABLE FOR THE PRODUCTION OF GROUNDNUTS AND SUNFLOWERS AS CASH CROPS. EXAMPLES OF AREAS INCLUDE MIDLANDS REGION** - PREDOMINANTLY MAIZE AND SORGHUM FARMING.  NATURAL REGION IV NR IV IS LOCATED IN THE LOW-LYING AREAS IN THE NORTH AND SOUTH OF THE COUNTRY. THE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE REGION ARE: ANNUAL RAINFALL OF 450-650 MM, SEVERE DRY SPELLS DURING THE RAINY SEASON, AND FREQUENT SEASONAL DROUGHTS. ALTHOUGH NR IV IS CONSIDERED UNSUITABLE FOR DRYLAND CROPPING, SMALLHOLDER FARMERS GROW DROUGHT-TOLERANT VARIETIES OF MAIZE, SORGHUM, PEARL MILLET (MHUNGA) AND FINGER MILLET (RAPOKO). NR IV IS IDEALLY SUITABLE FOR CATTLE PRODUCTION UNDER EXTENSIVE PRODUCTION SYSTEMS AND FOR WILDLIFE PRODUCTION. EXAMPLES OF AREAS INCLUDE PARTS OF MASVINGO AND MATABELELAND** - CATTLE RANCHING AND SMALL-SCALE SUBSISTENCE FARMING.  NATURAL REGION V NR V COVERS THE LOWLAND AREAS BELOW 900 M ABOVE SEA LEVEL IN BOTH THE NORTH AND SOUTH OF THE COUNTRY. THE RAINFALL IS LESS THAN 650 MM/YEAR AND HIGHLY ERRATIC. ALTHOUGH NR V RECEIVES REASONABLE RAINFALL IN THE NORTHERN PART OF ZIMBABWE ALONG THE ZAMBEZI RIVER, ITS UNEVEN TOPOGRAPHY AND POOR SOILS MAKE IT UNSUITABLE FOR CROP PRODUCTION. GENERALLY, NR V IS SUITABLE FOR EXTENSIVE CATTLE PRODUCTION AND GAME-RANCHING. ALTHOUGH BOTH NR IV AND NR V ARE TOO DRY FOR CROP PRODUCTION, HOUSEHOLDS ON THE COMMUNAL LANDS IN THESE REGIONS GROW GRAIN CROPS (MAIZE AND MILLET) FOR THEIR FOOD SECURITY AND SOME CASH CROPS SUCH AS COTTON. CROP YIELDS ARE EXTREMELY LOW AND THE RISK OF CROP FAILURE IS HIGH IN ONE OUT OF THREE YEARS. CATTLE AND GOAT PRODUCTION ARE MAJOR SOURCES OF CASH INCOME. EXAMPLES OF AREAS INCLUDE SOUTHERN PARTS OF MATABELELAND** - FOCUS ON LIVESTOCK GRAZING AND DROUGHT RESISTANT CROPS.  CAUSES OF FOOD SHORTAGES FOOD SHORTAGES CAN OCCUR BECAUSE OF BOTH NATURAL AND HUMAN PROBLEMS. THE NATURAL INCLUDE SOIL EXHAUSTION DROUGHT FLOODS TROPICAL CYCLONES PESTS DISEASE ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL FACTORS CAN ALSO CONTRIBUTE TO FOOD SHORTAGES WHICH INCLUDE LOW CAPITAL INVESTMENT RAPIDLY RISING POPULATION POOR DISTRIBUTION/TRANSPORT DIFFICULTIES CONFLICT SITUATIONS  SHORT TERM AND LONG TERM EFFECTS OF FOOD SHORTAGES MALNUTRITION PARTICULARLY ON CHILDREN WITHIN A RELATIVELY SHORT PERIOD WHEN FOOD SHORTAGES OCCUR. DUE TO MALNUTRITION PEOPLE ARE LESS RESISTANT TO DISEASE AND MORE LIKELY TO FALL ILL. PEOPLE WHO ARE CONTINUALLY STARVED OF NUTRIENTS NEVER FULFIL THEIR PHYSICAL AND INTELLECTUAL POTENTIAL. MALNUTRITION REDUCES PEOPLES CAPACITY TO WORK SO THAT LAND MAY NOT BE PROPERLY TENDED AND OTHER FORMS OF INCOME SUCCESSFULLY PURSUED LIVESTOCK DEATHS: WHEN THERE IS A SHORTAGE OF WATER AND FOOD, ANIMALS ARE THE FIRST TO GO WITHOUT, SO ANIMALS WILL START TO DIE. THIS MAKES THE FAMINE EVEN WORSE BECAUSE THERE IS LESS MEAT, EGGS, MILK, ETC. DEATH: SEVERE DROUGHT AND FAMINE WILL EVENTUALLY LEAD TO DEATH. IT IS USUALLY THE VERY OLD, YOUNG OR ALREADY SICK THAT DIE FIRST. CONFLICT: IF THE RESOURCES OF FOOD AND WATER ARE DECLINING, FIGHTING OVER THESE RESOURCES IS LIKELY TO INCREASE, ESPECIALLY BETWEEN DIFFERENT TRIBES AND COUNTRIES. LOSS OF EDUCATION: WHEN DROUGHT HAPPENS PEOPLE HAVE TO TRAVEL FURTHER TO FIND FOOD AND WATER. THEY ALSO BECOME SICKER. BOTH OF THESE FACTORS CAN IMPACT STUDENTS AND TEACHERS.IT MEANS THAT PEOPLE ARE EITHER UNABLE TO GO TO SCHOOL OR HAVE NO ONE TO TEACH THEM ONCE THEY ARE AT SCHOOL.  POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS TO FOOD SHORTAGES FOOD AID – ACCORDING TO THE CHARITY ACTION AID THERE ARE 3 TYPES OF FOOD AID RELIEF AID WHICH IS DELIVERED DIRECTLY TO THE PEOPLE IN TIMES OF CRISIS. PROGRAMME FOOD AID WHICH IS PROVIDED DIRECTLY TO THE GOVERNMENT OF A COUNTRY FOR SALE IN LOCAL MARKETS. PROJECT FOOD AID WHICH IS TARGETED AT SPECIFIC GROUPS OF PEOPLE AS PART OF LONGER TERM DEVELOPMENT WORK. THE MAIN ORGANISATION ARE THE UN, WORLD FOOD PROGRAMME,(WFP), THE UN FOOD AND AGRICULTURAL ORGANIZATION (FAO) AND THE FOOD AID CONVECTION. GREEN REVOLUTION – IT IS A PACKAGE OF AGRICULTURAL IMPROVEMENTS LIKE THE HIGH YIELDING VERITIES(HYV).THE PROGRAMME INTRODUCED NEW HYBRID VERITIES OF FIVE CEREALS :WHEAT , RICE, MAIZE, SORGHUM AND MILLET. ALL WERE DROUGHT RESISTANT WITH THE EXCEPTION OF RICE , WERE VERY RESPONSIVE TO THE APPLICATION OF FERTILISERS , AND HAD A SHORTER GROWING SEASON THAN THE TRADITIONAL VARIETIES THEY REPLACED.