Intensive agriculture is a farming practice that maximizes crop yield per unit of land through the use of high inputs of labor, capital, and technology. This approach often involves techniques such as irrigation, fertilizers, and selective breeding to increase productivity. By focusing on smaller areas of land, intensive agriculture can produce significant amounts of food and other crops, leading to greater efficiency and higher food outputs.
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Intensive agriculture often leads to higher levels of food production compared to extensive agriculture, which utilizes larger areas of land with lower input levels.
The Green Revolution in the mid-20th century is a prime example of intensive agriculture, where new technologies and crop varieties drastically increased yields in many parts of the world.
This type of agriculture can have environmental impacts, such as soil degradation, water depletion, and loss of biodiversity due to reliance on chemical inputs.
Intensive agriculture is commonly practiced in regions with high population densities where food demand is great, such as in parts of Asia and Europe.
Farmers practicing intensive agriculture may face economic pressures due to the high costs associated with inputs like seeds, fertilizers, and equipment.
Review Questions
How does intensive agriculture differ from extensive agriculture in terms of land use and productivity?
Intensive agriculture focuses on maximizing crop yield from a smaller area of land by using high levels of labor, capital, and technology, leading to greater productivity per unit area. In contrast, extensive agriculture utilizes larger land areas with lower inputs, resulting in lower overall yields. The efficiency and output associated with intensive methods often make it necessary in regions facing high population densities and food demands.
Discuss the environmental consequences associated with intensive agricultural practices.
Intensive agriculture can result in several environmental issues including soil degradation from overuse of fertilizers and pesticides, water depletion due to extensive irrigation practices, and a reduction in biodiversity. These practices can harm ecosystems as chemical runoff contaminates waterways, while monoculture systems make crops more susceptible to pests and diseases. Sustainable farming practices are being explored to mitigate these adverse effects.
Evaluate the role of the Green Revolution in promoting intensive agriculture and its impact on global food security.
The Green Revolution was instrumental in promoting intensive agriculture through the introduction of high-yield crop varieties, advanced irrigation techniques, and synthetic fertilizers. This movement significantly increased food production in many developing countries during the mid-20th century, thereby improving global food security. However, while it alleviated hunger for many, it also introduced challenges such as reliance on chemical inputs and social inequalities among farmers. As a result, discussions around sustainable practices have become critical for future agricultural strategies.
Related terms
subsistence agriculture: A type of farming where crops are grown primarily for the farmer's family consumption rather than for sale.
An agricultural practice that involves alternating the types of crops grown on a particular piece of land to improve soil health and prevent pest accumulation.
monoculture: The agricultural practice of growing a single crop species over a wide area for consecutive seasons, which can lead to increased efficiency but also heightened vulnerability to pests and diseases.