Technology In Agriculture

Facing challenges of exploding population growth throughout the world, and with that more mouths to feed, the pressure on the business of agriculture to create food security remains enormous and growing. “Malnourishment effects 1 in every 3 people on earth, and about 18 million people, mostly children, die each year from starvation. Thirty-seven countries are expected to have food emergencies, with Africa standing out as the continent with the most serious food shortages,” (Moore, 2007, p. 117). Adding salt to the wound, the earth’s resources are geographically inequitable and scarce forcing agriculture to rethink how it does business. Simultaneously, whole societies are increasing in affluence and thus raising expectations and consumption habits. However, what does the impact of antibiotics, pesticides, fertilizers, genetically modified organisms, and mass water consumption mean for our environment and our health? Exploring these topics through the kaleidoscope lens of Mother Nature, this paper explores how present agriculture norms, while wholly necessary, are inflicting long term damage to many of our most precious supplies, damaging our health, and casting a dark shadow for future generations.

Over the next forty years, global population is expected to reach nine billion people. This increase in population, combined with expected economic growth, will cause an increase in food demanded and inevitably drain the resources we use for food production. So far, agriculture has been able to respond positively to the rising demand for crop and livestock products. However, farmers are already faced with many new challenges associated with feeding an expanding global population. Farmers must now meet strict new emissions requirements and produce more food on fewer acres while minimizing their environmental footprint. The demand for food is expected to grow substantially in the next couple decades. Some of the factors affecting an increase in food demands are population growth, rising incomes of individuals, food supply factors, and biofuels.

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

To conclude, our current way of agricultural life is not sustainable. The article “What’s for supper” has made me realize that if I hope for a better future for generations to come I should support a locally sourced lifestyle. This article is an eye opener to me and proved to me the importance of supporting locally grown produce. Locally grown produce supports the environment as well as jobs for people in the community. The current system takes a toll on every species on the planet. Humans are overproducing on a massive scale and are wasting close to half of our supplies and

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.

Without policies to guarantee proper care, use reasonable access to soil, we would have further limitations to access of crops and in turn, less access to sustainable food sources. Without the governing oversight of laws and policies, we would likely be living in a country looking at “increased poverty, hunger, conflict, land grabs, and mass migration of displaces populations” (Montanerella, 2015). There are many concerns that may arise when developing and enforcing agricultural policies, but if policies are not made to improve standards, technology, maintain diversity and preserve water, we would be apt to face devastating effects. Some of the major concerns involved with agricultural policy include: biosecurity, labor supply, technology, water access, water trades, and

In his paper, Pollan discusses the reliance on fossil fuels for agriculture, public health issues, and food security problems. He proposes policy that promotes alternative, local farming. Lyson describes a shift from craft to mass production, the consolidation of farms, and the disembedding of agriculture from the community. He discusses how civic economies challenge the market based agriculture system. Kloppenburg discusses how our current foodshed is built on a market economy and distances people from their food sources. Berry describes the problems of land consolidation, the industrialization of agriculture, and a culture of distancing people from farms. He proposes instituting more community based food systems. Although these authors discuss important economic, social, and environmental problems

Human societies since the beginning of time have probably committed more land to Agricultural production than for any other purpose. Demand for land especially for Agricultural production in many parts of the globe is on the increase. Studies have revealed that the rise in demand for food to feed the world’s teaming population, the increased demand for agricultural output to produce alternative energy, high agricultural product prices are amount other factors that have caused a surge in the demand for agricultural land globally.

With the world’s population growing exponentially, farmers are looking for new ways to steadily feed the world. Utilizing technology to further food production only makes sense, however, it is necessary to take a step back and seriously consider the negative implications of industrial farming before moving forth. After reading McKibben and Hurst’s articles in the book Food Matters, both authors present arguments on “industrial farming”, and although Hurst provides a realistic sense on farming, McKibben’s suggestions must be taken into consideration.

As of December 31st, 2014, the population of the United States was estimated to be over 320 million with a net gain of one person every 13 seconds (U.S. Census Bureau). In the year 2011, the world population reached 7 billion and is currently predicted to reach 9 billion by the year 2050 (Monsanto). In order to meet the expected needs of our growing population, agriculture production will need to at least double (Monsanto). Agriculture is essential to everyone’s daily lives. This raises many concerns for agriculturists and for our growing population as a whole. With the population of the United States continuously growing, space is also becoming more limited. Therefore, agriculturists are having to find new, innovative ways to produce

With the population of the world continuing to rise, the Earth’s ability and resources to sustain its people is nearing its capacity, if it not has been reached yet. With the increase in wealth and modernity, people are having more choices what to eat without realizing how the food they are eating are produced and manufactured. All they see are choice pieces in perfectly sealed Styrofoam trays and plastic wrap. To keep up with the demand, farmers are now adopting mass production methods that focus on numbers and less on how these modern farming methods cause or are causing wide-scale destruction to the planet.

With the global climate rising, human population progressively increasing, and our current administration peeling away environmental regulations, taking care of our earth has become more of a priority than ever before. A growing issue is finding a sustainable agriculture method: one that meets society’s food needs whilst also keeping in mind future generations to come. Finding an efficient and effecte solution has been a controversy for years. The debate stems from the idea of survival versus morality and preservation. Regardless of conflicting views and standpoints, the issue regarding agricultural practices affects all.

Welcome to the age of an agricultural revolution as everyday biotechnology continues to bring innovation to human’s most basic needs – food. Food is essential to any living organism, providing energy for our production and nutrients for our protection. Without this fundamental element, life cannot exist. Our lack to produce our own energy, like plants, causes us to become dependent on others for survival. Humans existence is attributed only to the million years of evolution our food source underwent to sustain our survival. Changing the primary nature of our food source, whether it is plant or animal, directs mankind in a dangerous future if our food dependency is permanently hampered. Welcome to the age of an agricultural devolution

Merriam-Webster's online dictionary defines stewardship as "the careful and responsible management of something entrusted in one's care" (Merriam-Webster, 2015). Sustainable agriculture is a method that does not deplete soil, water, air, wildlife or human community resources ("Community Alliance with," 1997). These two principles describe a type of farming that practices responsible management of the land in a way that does not deplete natural resources or the human community. We are living in a time when many environmental issues have come up due to such things as overpopulation, increased waste production, over consumption, depletion of natural resources and other activities

Under this framework, agriculture is expected to remain the major engine of growth; with a projected growth rate of at least 7.5 per cent until 2010, contributing 45 % of total GDP, and then decreasing to an average rate of 6.7% in 2020 (NEPAD, 2007). This requires the transformation of the sector from subsistence to a “productive high-value and market-oriented agriculture”. Subsequent development plans unveils that this is to be achieved through the practice of skills-based and market-oriented agricultural production, increased land productivity, and value addition to agricultural produce. The successful implementation of such a plan relies partially on a responsive agricultural research system.