Agro-Ecological System (chap 3)

Agroecology is the research of ecological processes that run in agricultural production system.

CLIMATE

WATER

SOIL
(Soil = mineral particles + nutrient elements + water + organic matter + living organisms)

HUMAN RESOURCE
Agriculture can only function with the help of human workforce

• Teaching institutions of agriculture 
• Skilled operators
• Scientists
• Supporting specialists

IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE

Climate change affects agriculture in numerous ways.

IMPACT OF POLLUTION

Byproducts are polluted from extensive commercial agricultural activities

• Acid rain (affects on forest, fresh water and soil)
• Heavy metals (affects the soil)
• Chemical pesticides (impact on consumer's heakth)
• Excessive chemical fertilizers (affects on water ecosystem)

Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) (chap 2)

What is Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO)?

GMOs (or “genetically modified organisms”) are organisms whose genetic material has been artificially manipulated in a laboratory through genetic engineering, or GE.

The goal is to improve the original organism.

 

Pros & Cons of GMO Food

Issues With GMO Food

A worrisome issue in GM foods is the ability of a food to trigger an allergy in humans. Some of the genes used in GM technology might be taken from a food that causes allergies in some people. Inserting that gene into another organism could cause the host organism to express that allergen as a trait. Alternately, a new allergen could be produced when genes are mixed across different species.

Another potential downside to GM technology is that other organisms in the ecosystem could be harmed, which would lead to a lower level of biodiversity. By removing one pest that harms the crop, you could be removing a food source for an animal. Also, GM crops could prove toxic to an organism in the environment, leading to reduced numbers or extinction of that organism. 

Agricultural Practices / Systems (chap 1)

SUBSISTENCE FARMING

     

• An activity carried out by farmers to feed their family needs.
• Example : rearing livestock and growing crops

COMMERCIALIZED FARMING

• An activity carried out in large quantities to gain profit.
• Example : 

AEROPONIC

AQUACULTURE

LIVESTOCK FARMING

 SOILLESS CULTURE

VEGETABLE FARMING

DIFFERENCES BETWEEN SUBSISTENCE AND COMMERCIALIZED FARMING

CONCLUSION

As technology grows, commercialized farming is more suitable to be practiced in today's world as it benefits a larger group of people around the world.

THE END!!!