Economic Geography PDF

Economic Geography Economic geography is a field of human geography that studies the processes associated with spatial and temporal nature of resources. PRIMARY SECONDARY The extraction of raw materials from the The processing of environment (mining, fishin...

Economic Geography Economic geography is a field of human geography that studies the processes associated with spatial and temporal nature of resources. PRIMARY SECONDARY The extraction of raw materials from the The processing of environment (mining, fishing, farming, raw materials forestry) (factories). Benefaction  QUINARY transformation of a A smaller specialised primary material part of the economy, into a finished including high-level ECONOMIC product (higher decision-makers, SECTORS export value  leaders, officials or labour, packaging, governments (creates design, policies) maintenance). QUATERNARY TERTIARY This is a service provided using The provision of services intellectual skills (expert and human skills. (services knowledge) like research and and sales) information communication Includes distribution of technology. commodities, recreational IT, R&D, Scientific info centres, banks and tourism. GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT (GDP) Represents the total value of goods and services produced over a specific period (economy size). Different sectors contribute to GDP differently. MEDCs = mostly secondary & tertiary sectors LEDCs = mostly primary sectors GROSS NATIONAL PRODUCT (GNP) The total value of goods and services provided by a country in one year. GNP = GDP + net income from foreign investments.  The Structure of the Economy 1. AGRICULTURE Agriculture is the practice of cultivating soil, growing crops, and raising animals to produce food, fibre, medicinal plants, and other products essential for sustaining human life and economic activity. This sector is declining due to growth in other economic sectors. IMPORTANCE IN SOUTH AFRICA Promotes growth in other sectors as it provides raw materials Promotes growth in transportation links (road networks to transport produce  railways) Provides food (food security), income (imporves quality of life), and jobs (job-creation/employment). Provides money to the government when produce is exported internationally and sold locally (VAT). 1.1 FAVOURABLE CONDITIONS A wide range of climatic zones = opportunity to grow a variety of crops Arable soil = rich and fertile Good scientific research and product development programs that introduce new crops that have greater yields and are drought and pest resistant = GMOs (genetically modified organisms) Use of modern technology = irrigation systems, green houses, tunnels and hydroponics A wide range of skilled and semi-skilled labour Provides food security Land redistribution and support of small farmers = more employment + produce (Apartheid) 1.2 UNFAVOURABLE CONDITIONS The low average rainfall (about 500mm) Poor unfertile soils. Unpredictable rainfall (about 30° = high pressure & arid desert) Southern hemisphere El Niño = drought, La Niña = floods Droughts are common in both the wetter eastern and the drier western parts of the country. The low price paid for primary products = in low earning for farmers and workers. Agriculture is not seen as an ‘attractive lifestyle’ to the younger generations Competition from other countries, especially those countries which give farmers subsidies financial help. Land restitution 1.3 FOOD SECURITY The availability of a well-balanced meal on a regular basis. Contributors to food insecurity: Drought prone country Reduce water availability = lower crop yields, food shortages, increased food prices Prolonged drought = soil degradation Floods Flooding can cause crop destruction, agricultural infrastructure damage, and food supply chain disruption Leads to shortages, increased prices, soil erosion, and long-term impacts on food production. Apartheid Apartheid policies historically restricted access to land, resources, and economic opportunities for marginalized communities = unequal land distribution and limited agricultural development for certain groups. Even after apartheid ended, the legacy of land inequality and limited access to resources has continued to impact food production and security, making it challenging for disadvantaged communities 1.4 TYPES OF FARMING INTENSIVE  aims to maximize output from a small area of land by using high inputs, such as labour, fertilizers, and pesticides. It often involves high- yield crops and advanced technology to increase productivity. Intensive farming is common in densely populated areas or where land is limited. Dairy farming EXTENSIVE  uses larger areas of land with lower inputs of labour, fertilizers, and technology per unit of land. It typically has lower yields per hectare but can cover vast areas, such as in ranching or large-scale grain farming. Extensive farming is often found in areas with more available land but fewer resources or lower population density. Sheep farming SUBSISTENCE  A farming system where crops and livestock are produced primarily for the farmer's own consumption rather than for sale. It typically involves small-scale farming with limited surplus, providing basic food needs for the farmer and their family. This type of farming is common in developing regions and rural areas. COMERCIAL  Farming with the primary goal of producing crops and livestock for sale in the market rather than for personal consumption. It often involves large-scale operations with significant investments in technology, machinery, and infrastructure to increase efficiency and profitability. Commercial farming is common in developed countries and is oriented toward generating income. Small-Scale Farming Small-scale farming is characterized by a small piece of land which is intensively farmed (using very little land) for a family’s food security or for profit. Can be both subsistence and commercial. Mostly practiced in the rural urban fringe. Mainly uses drip irrigation. Examples: market gardening, dairy, herbs and vegetables Often labour intensive (little technology and machinery i.e. irrigation systems) NOTE: subsistence farming for own use (small-scale is for Large-Scale subsistence and profit) Farming Large-scale farming is characterized by a large piece of land which is extensively farmed (using a large piece of land) for profit. Commercial. Monoculture (farming only one crop) is commonly practiced. Mainly uses pivot irrigation. Makes used of technology and machinery CHARACTERISTICS SMALL-SCALE LARGE-SCALE LAND SIZE: Requires large LAND SIZE: a small piece of land areas of land. INCOME: High revenue INCOME: small (mostly family-run) which are on potential due to large-scale tight budgets, forcing production but dependent optimisation (the most on significant investment. TECHNOLOGY & effective use of resources) MACHINERY: Utilizes Refrains from expensive advanced fertilizers, EQUIPMENT & pesticides, genetically TECHNOLOGY modified seeds (GMOs), and pivot irrigation  SMALL-SCALE LARGE-SCALE MANUAL LABOUR: LABOUR: both skilled machinery, such as and unskilled labour tractors is rarely used. but less labour- Most of the labour is intensive than small- manual (done by hand scale farming due to & intensive)  drip mechanisation. irrigation. ANIMALS: often large- ANIMALS: small ish livestock in large animals for numbers  pigs, cows, consumption  chickens, chickens (requires high goats & pigs capital) Larger animals are CONTRIBUTION TO uncommon on small- ECONOMY: Large scale farms (more contribution to GDP maintenance). and foreign exchange Most PRODUCE is for through exports. own consumption, PRODUCE is sold excess produce is sold. internationally Larger corporations only (exports) and large- grow crops for profit. scale locally & to CROP ROTATION: secondary industries. produce becomes less MONOCULTURE: vulnerable to disease. focus is on cultivating Crop rotation = a single crop in an area replenishes lost  maize, wheat, sugar, nutrients & heals land. eggs, fruit. Produces food for local Provides RAW communities. MATERIALS for OFTEN produce is secondary industries grown under GREEN (e.g., food processing). HOUSES or in Plays a significant role POLYTUNNELS in NATIONAL FOOD (flowers, tomatoes, SECURITY. strawberries, beans, chillies) ADVANTAGES (importance) SMALL-SCALE LARGE-SCALE Contributes largely to Focuses on food security for local communities. the South African GDP Large exports bringing Uses diverse crop rotation, reducing in foreign exchange. Employs many people. disease vulnerability Produces large amounts and improving soil health. of produce (food Environmentally security) Provides raw materials sustainable practices, often using minimal for secondary sector. By improving quality of fertilizers and machinery. life, increases the Creates local jobs and secondary and tertiary fresh produce for nearby sector. Generates substantial markets. Offers affordable, high- foreign exchange quality produce at fair through exports. Creates employment prices (Some sell directly at their farm to opportunities, both avoiding transport skilled and unskilled. costs.) Contributes to GDP of south Africa. DISADVANTAGES-challenges SMALL-SCALE LARGE-SCALE HIGH PRODUCTION COSTS: FINANCIAL seeds, fertilizers, irrigation, labour, CONSTRAINTS: tight water, machinery. budgets and low income. SUBSIDIES: money granted by HARD PHYSICAL the government has been stopped LABOUR: long (cannot compete with cheaper days/hours of demanding ‘dumped’ imports) manual labour = ENVIRONMENTAL: monoculture, exhausting pesticide use, and loss of HIGH DEPENDENCE ON biodiversity. UNPREDICTABLE UNPREDICTABLE WEATHER: FACTORS: weather leading to risks from droughts, conditions. hail, etc. FARM MURDERS: Social issues Food Security like farm safety concerns and isolation. FOOD SECURITY: access to well-balanced meals regularly. South Africa faces moderate food insecurity, driven by :High unemployment rates. High poverty levels, leaving many families without reliable food sources. Factors Contributing to Food How to Improve Food Security Insecurity Population growth Empowering women Unemployment Planting a variety of crops Poor soils Diversity of climate regions Environmental degradation Sustainable agriculture Land reform programs & land Uneconomical farm units redistribution Government corruption Strong trade relations War and conflict Diversification of rural economies Lack of capital to purchase equipment Processing crops Shift to biofuel production Prevent soil erosion Trade policies Efficient ways of storing food Reduce water wastage  Summary! Small-Scale Large-Scale Aspect Farming Farming Large tracts of Small plots, often land, Land Size owned by commercially families. managed. High-profit Food security and Purpose commercial small profits. production. High income but Low income, tight requires Income budgets. substantial investment. Mechanized; Manual, family- requires Labour run; minimal skilled/unskilled machinery. workers. Heavy use of Rarely used; relies machinery, GM Technology on drip irrigation. seeds, and fertilizers. Often Diverse, with crop monoculture Crops rotation for (single crop per sustainability. area). Large-scale local Local markets; Market and international surplus is sold. exports. High; risks of Environmenta Low; sustainable monoculture and l Impact practices. pesticide overuse. Irrigation Systems Surface Irrigation: Water flows over the soil surface by gravity. Includes methods like furrow, basin, and border irrigation. Common in low-income areas due to low cost but can be water-inefficient. Drip Irrigation: Drip Irrigation: Delivers water directly to plant roots through tubes Delivers water directly to plant with roots through tubes emitters. with emitters. Highly efficient, reducing water waste and Highly efficient, reducing evaporation. water waste and evaporation. Often used in high-income areas due to higher initial setup costs. Often used in high-income areas due to higher initial setup costs. Sprinkler Irrigation: Sprays water over crops in a controlled manner, similar to natural rainfall. Systems can range from simple, low-cost options to advanced, automated systems. Suitable for medium- to high-income areas depending on complexity. Centre Pivot Irrigation: Uses a rotating sprinkler arm that pivots around Centre Pivot Irrigation: a central point, covering a circular area. Uses a rotating sprinkler Requires arm thatsignificant pivots around a investment, making it more central point, covering acommon circular in area. high-income agricultural areas. Efficient making Requires significant investment, for largeitfields moreand can be automated. common in high-income agricultural areas. Efficient for large fields and can be automated. Manual Irrigation: Involves watering plants directly by hand using buckets or watering cans. Labor-intensive but low-cost, common in low- income, small-scale farming. Subsurface Irrigation: Water is applied below the soil surface, close to the root zone. Highly efficient with minimal evaporation, but installation is costly, so it’s more common in high-income areas.