QUESTION: Zambia uses both appropriate and inappropriate technology in various sectors. Choose one sector of your choice, identify and discuss both appropriate and inappropriate technology being used in that sector. Originality and practical examples are encouraged in your easy. Zambia uses both appropriate and inappropriate technology in various sectors. This approach has had both negative and positive impact on Zambia’s efforts to development. And so, for us to appreciate this impact, let focus on one key sector of the economy where appropriate and inappropriate technology is used .In this paper I shall focus on this agricultural sector as the area of research. In the first place, I shall focus on establishing the working definition …show more content…
As such it scores little or no success. Instead, the community ends up complaining and even protesting against the use of such technology. (Akuffo 2006) acknowledges that technological waken are daunting problems of establishing peace, ensuring justice, sustaining a safe environment, problems that technology alone can never solve. Having established a working definition, I will put the discussion into the context of the Zambian agricultural sector. It must say from the on-set that Zambia has used both appropriate and inappropriate technology in various sector of her economy. All this has been done with the quest to develop and better the lives of her people. The agricultural sector is one of such sector when both appropriate and inappropriate technology has been used. Since the 1970’s, Zambia has relied on simple, relatively inexpensive Agricultural research programme to enhance agricultural productivity. (Bezuneh 2005) mentions that in early stages of research programmes, research was conducted in order to develop productivity through enhancing technologies ( i.e. Fertilizer pesticide and capital intensive crops). One appropriate technology that was used in the agricultural sector was the introduction of oxen power for tillage. The usage of such technology was availed to small scale farmers in the Eastern, Southern and Central province.
Modern day farming has transformed from the farming process of last century. Instead of farmers producing for their families, farmers are now similar to input/output managers supplying massive manufacturers that feed the country.
Agriculture is extremely important to the Bolivian economy, employing two percent of the labor force. Bolivia's agriculture suffers from antiquated farming methods, uneven population distribution, and inadequate transportation. Although now self-sufficient in the production
Many support agricultural modernization, as a solution Africa’s, and many other impoverished nations hunger problems. This would include the industrialization of their agricultural industry, using modern, genetically enhanced seeds, and fertilizer. Yet, some of the same groups that are promoting the organic movement in the United States are advocating against the globalization of modern industrial agricultural practices (Paarlberg 179). Those who support modernization of such nations argue that the current process in inefficient, and inadequate. They believe that globalization of the highly capitalized, science-intensive, agricultural system that has been developed in the West, is the answer to the worlds hunger problems. They also warn that if the West abandons its current practices, it may fall victim to famine due to inadequate production (Paarlberg 179). However, supporters of organic production point to the fact that each year, approximately ten million tons of chemical fertilizer are poured onto our corn
In Agriculture, any development system in agriculture is technological development or change. Change is inevitable in every part of the world and also part of the development of life. The transfer and adoption of newly system will always be part in development of life.
Throughout time, humans have pushed forward in every aspect in life in order to improve their living standards, wealth and most importantly the agricultural sector which is the base of every human race. Food is the basic requirement for any individual to stay alive and healthy. In an article by Tamsin McMahon, she states that over the past 60 years, the world population has grown from 2.5 billion to 7 billion while world hunger dropped from 40% down to 15% (McMahon T., July 2012). This shows that our agricultural advances through technology have helped control world hunger and decrease it by more than half, but this is a short-term solution if we want to consider the future generations that depend on our current actions toward the three main pillars of agriculture which are: Health and nutrition, Economy and sustainability all while considering the local small farms and corporate farms.
The manipulation of the land for fast production ruins its overall health. The modern technology and advances of equipment provide farmers more efficient ways to farm. In
The plantation was the center of the agriculture life. Large-scale agriculture is still important as many countries rely on these products as they put large strain on export –oriented growth. Only recently has there been any significant attempts at industrialization and many countries are economically backward.
One that stood out was the horse drawn tool and the reaper, “This new tool had sharper blades that cut through the thick prairie roots found throughout the Midwest. Another important tool that defined this period in Midwest farming was the reaper, a device that could cut grain better than the scythe” (Argo, Web). These tools are what started the evolution of farming allowing it to grow at a rapid pace once they started becoming more innovated. From my readings in farming the essentials are not productivity but how you execute it and how you are able to build on top of that applying the technologies that are being provided. It is crucial for a lot of these struggling farmers to be able to keep up with technologies or even be ahead of them before your competitor to stay in the business. Throughout this paper we will gradually see that technology place a tremendous role on in agriculture and food, especially as the population continues to grow so rapidly and food can only be produced so fast, “The first goal of agricultural development is to produce sufficient food and other agricultural commodities to satisfy the needs and preferences of the growing human population”
In the world there are many different and developing types of technology that can offer many benefits, but at the same time cause many problems. Technology comes in many shapes and sizes and does many different things. Whether it’s a house that can do everything for its inhabitants , or a device that can make the paralyzed walk again, society is moving forward in the world of technology although it may be controversial.
Farming in Africa is inadequate and inefficient. The fertility of the soil is becoming depleted and severely reducing the amount of crops from each harvest (Ayieko). This problem is due to over farming the land and not allowing for crop rotation to replenish the nutrients in the soil. This is a practice that is used by most farmers around the globe. Continuing on this trend will risk the land becoming barren and unable to support plant life.
In other parts of the world, the technology for farming hasn’t had any advances in many years. Third world countries such as Malawi, have been farming without modern equipment for centuries. In the book “The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind” by William Kamkwamba, he provides insight into the way of life on a farm in Malawi. The farmers in Malawi till, plant, and harvest by human power and a fortunate few have animals to pull their plows or carts (40). When we think of farmers here in America we think of large tractors and combines as well as large storage bins. The main difference between the United States and Malawi is although there are a lot of farms in the U.S., relatively few people are involved
Mr. Diamond believes the adoption of agriculture was the worst mistake in human history. The technologies used in this article are not only the
These four courses provided me with insights into the process of technological improvement and implementation that had previously either not crossed my mind or I had disregarded as unimportant, especially in regards to the sustainable methods of doing so. The focus that was placed on not only innovative processes but also sustainable invention and the implementation of them in the developing world caused me to reexamine and update my thoughts on the importance of the environment and on those less fortunate than myself. What I learned in my pathway has perfectly complemented what I am learning in my economic development class this quarter and allowed me to offer insight into how innovation can be used to fuel growth and development in these often impoverished areas. In the class we have discussed in great lengths the impact that the implementation of improved processes can have on a developing economy, a theme that is reflected in this pathway. In the broader sense, this pathway has provided me with a new viewpoint of the world around me. I now see just how vital new products and processes have been to the advancement of our standard of living. I now plan on attempting to produce some innovative products in my personal future, with the pool of knowledge created in these pathway courses to draw upon for guidance. I now feel confident in my
In light of this, I would like to explore research frontiers in the area of the challenges of managing food and farm businesses in a global setting of the 21st Century. In our society beleaguered by agricultural problems that ranges from economic to environmental problems such as weather and global warming, issues concerning trade and management of agricultural enterprises has been the topic of debate for the past decade. Many developing/poor countries who earn their living from agriculture continuously suffer from poverty and hunger as a result of the increasing pressures on the world's resource base. Policymakers are gripped with finding solutions to problems such as structural and technological constraints, inappropriate domestic policies and an unfavourable external economic environment. As a result, the growth of these economies has been slow, undernourishment has been increasing and the marginalization of these countries in the global economy has continued. This trend has created problems for developing countries over the past decade. Economic and financial
Techniques such as irrigation, intercropping, and crop rotation have progressively increased efficiency in agriculture, maintaining the potential growth for global agribusiness. However, over the last couple of centuries the industrialization of farming techniques and a growing population saw the shift into conventional farming methods. The shift created major problems of economic instability, climate change and pressures from farms to produce greater yields. The use of conventional farming leaves the rural land eroded and lifeless because the farmers continuously put high input of energy, synthetic chemicals, and genetically modified organisms to just keep on producing a high quaintly crop. The farmers have now found themselves locked in an everlasting cycle of loans and debt. Therefor the influence of history in time changed the dynamics of farming in not sustaining agribusiness, but due to these past events as a world we are now starting to adopt sustainable farming practices. These practices are influenced through our local communities, countries and United Nation in creating a sustainable global agriculture.