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Unlock This CourseFarming systems are the different ways farmers organise their land, labour and resources to produce food and other agricultural products. The way farming is done varies enormously around the world, depending on factors like climate, soil quality, available technology and economic conditions. Understanding these systems helps us see how humans interact with rural ecosystems and manage the land.
Key Definitions:
Intensive farming focuses on getting the maximum output from a small area of land. This system uses high levels of inputs like fertilisers, pesticides, machinery and skilled labour. It's common in countries with limited land but high population density, such as the Netherlands and parts of the UK.
Extensive farming covers large areas of land with relatively low inputs per hectare. This system relies more on natural conditions and uses less labour, fertiliser and technology per unit area. It's typical in countries with plenty of land but lower population density, like Australia and parts of Canada.
Intensive farming is all about maximising production from every square metre of land. This approach requires significant investment in technology, chemicals and skilled workers. The goal is to produce as much food as possible from a limited area, which is essential in densely populated regions where land is scarce and expensive.
Intensive farming takes many forms, from high-tech greenhouse operations to battery chicken farms. Each type uses different methods to maximise output, but they all share the common goal of high productivity per unit area.
Uses heavy machinery, chemical fertilisers and pesticides. Multiple crops per year with high-yielding varieties. Common in East Anglia, UK.
Animals kept in confined spaces with controlled feeding. High stocking densities and veterinary care. Examples include battery farming and feedlots.
Greenhouse cultivation with controlled environments. Hydroponic systems and year-round production. Common in Netherlands and southern Spain.
The Netherlands produces more tomatoes per square metre than anywhere else in the world. Using advanced greenhouse technology, Dutch farmers can grow crops year-round in a controlled environment. These greenhouses use computer-controlled heating, lighting and irrigation systems. Despite having limited land, the Netherlands is the world's second-largest agricultural exporter after the USA, showing how intensive methods can maximise productivity.
Extensive farming takes a different approach, using large areas of land with lower inputs per hectare. This system works well in areas where land is cheap and plentiful, but labour and capital are limited. The focus is on efficiency across large areas rather than maximising output from small plots.
Extensive systems vary depending on climate and geography. They often rely more on natural rainfall and pasture rather than artificial inputs, making them more dependent on environmental conditions.
Large-scale grain production with minimal inputs per hectare. Uses machinery for efficiency across vast areas. Common in Canadian prairies and Australian wheat belt.
Livestock grazing on natural pastures over large areas. Low stocking densities with animals roaming freely. Examples include cattle ranching and sheep farming.
Traditional system where herders move animals seasonally to find pasture. Very low inputs but sustainable in harsh environments. Found in parts of Africa and Asia.
Australian sheep stations can cover thousands of square kilometres, with some larger than entire European countries. Anna Creek Station in South Australia covers 24,000 square kilometres and runs about 17,000 cattle. The low rainfall and harsh conditions mean that each animal needs huge amounts of land to find enough food. Workers use helicopters, motorbikes and GPS technology to manage livestock across these vast distances.
Both farming systems have their place in modern agriculture and the choice between them depends on many factors including land availability, climate, economic conditions and market demands. Understanding their differences helps explain global food production patterns.
The choice between intensive and extensive farming has significant consequences for both the environment and the economy. These impacts affect not just farmers but entire communities and ecosystems.
Different farming systems interact with the environment in various ways. Understanding these impacts is crucial for sustainable agriculture and protecting rural ecosystems for future generations.
Intensive farming can cause soil erosion, water pollution from fertilisers and pesticides and loss of biodiversity. However, it uses land more efficiently, potentially leaving more natural habitat untouched elsewhere. The high use of chemicals can contaminate groundwater and harm beneficial insects like bees.
Extensive farming generally has lower environmental impact per hectare but uses much more land overall. Overgrazing can lead to soil erosion and desertification in fragile environments. However, well-managed extensive systems can maintain biodiversity and natural ecosystems.
Hill farming in areas like the Lake District and Scottish Highlands represents extensive livestock farming in the UK. Sheep graze on natural upland pastures that are unsuitable for crops. This system maintains traditional landscapes and supports rural communities, but farmers face challenges from low profitability and harsh weather. Government subsidies help maintain these farming systems because they provide environmental benefits like maintaining biodiversity and preventing scrubland from taking over.
The distribution of intensive and extensive farming systems around the world reflects differences in population density, economic development, climate and land availability. As the global population grows and climate change affects agriculture, these patterns are likely to evolve.
Several key factors determine whether farmers choose intensive or extensive methods. These factors often work together to create the farming landscapes we see today.
Climate, soil quality, topography and water availability all influence farming choices. Fertile plains favour intensive arable farming, while harsh climates suit extensive systems.
Land prices, labour costs, capital availability and market access determine profitability. Expensive land encourages intensive use, while cheap land allows extensive methods.
Population density, government policies, technology levels and cultural traditions all shape farming systems. Dense populations need intensive production to feed everyone.
Understanding farming systems helps us appreciate how humans adapt to different environments and manage rural ecosystems. Both intensive and extensive systems have important roles in feeding the world's population and the challenge is to make them more sustainable while meeting growing food demands.