Glossary
Carrying Capacity (in agriculture context)
In agriculture, this refers to the maximum population (of humans or livestock) that a given environment or agricultural system can sustainably support with food resources.
Example:
Advances in agricultural technology have increased the Earth's carrying capacity by allowing more food to be produced on the same amount of land.
Competition (from large-scale agriculture)
The economic pressure faced by smaller farms due to the lower production costs and prices offered by larger, more efficient commercial agricultural operations.
Example:
Small organic farms often struggle with competition from conventional, large-scale producers who can sell similar produce at significantly lower prices.
Complex Commodity Chains
Interconnected global networks that link the various stages of production, distribution, and consumption of a product, often spanning multiple countries and involving numerous actors.
Example:
The journey of a chocolate bar, from cocoa beans harvested in West Africa to processing in Europe and sale in North America, illustrates a complex commodity chain.
Economic Factors (in agriculture)
The financial considerations, including land costs, labor expenses, and input prices, that influence agricultural decisions and profitability.
Example:
Farmers often consider economic factors like the price of fertilizer and the availability of affordable labor when deciding which crops to plant.
Economies of Scale
The cost advantages that businesses gain due to increased output, where the cost per unit of production decreases as the volume of production increases.
Example:
A large farm buying fertilizer in bulk at a lower price per ton than a small farm demonstrates economies of scale.
Environmental Issues (in agriculture)
The negative impacts on natural ecosystems resulting from agricultural practices, such as soil degradation, water pollution from runoff, and biodiversity loss.
Example:
The overuse of pesticides and fertilizers in intensive farming can lead to significant environmental issues, contaminating local water sources and harming wildlife.
Genetic Modification (in agriculture)
The alteration of an organism's genetic material to introduce new traits or enhance existing ones, often used in crops to improve resistance to pests, diseases, or harsh environmental conditions.
Example:
Developing corn that is resistant to a specific insect pest through genetic modification reduces the need for chemical insecticides.
Global Scope (of commodity chains)
The characteristic of commodity chains that involves sourcing raw materials, processing, and distributing finished products across multiple countries and continents.
Example:
The global scope of the coffee commodity chain means beans are grown in Latin America, roasted in Italy, and consumed worldwide.
Greenhouses & Hydroponics
Controlled-environment agricultural systems that allow for year-round crop production, with greenhouses providing climate control and hydroponics growing plants without soil using nutrient-rich water.
Example:
Growing strawberries in a vertical farm using hydroponics allows for fresh produce even in urban areas, regardless of outdoor climate.
Infrastructure (in agriculture)
The fundamental facilities and systems, like roads, ports, and market access, that are necessary for the efficient transport, processing, and distribution of agricultural goods.
Example:
A lack of reliable infrastructure in rural areas can prevent farmers from getting their produce to urban markets, leading to spoilage and economic loss.
Irrigation Tech
Advanced systems and methods for supplying water to crops, designed to maximize water efficiency and optimize plant growth, such as drip irrigation or pivot systems.
Example:
Drip irrigation tech delivers water directly to the plant roots, significantly reducing water waste compared to traditional flood irrigation.
Land Consolidation
The process by which larger agricultural entities acquire and combine smaller, fragmented landholdings, often leading to fewer, larger farms and reduced agricultural diversity.
Example:
As corporations buy up family farms, land consolidation occurs, transforming a landscape of many small plots into vast, single-owner agricultural operations.
Large-Scale Commercial Agriculture
A form of agriculture characterized by extensive land use, high capital investment, and advanced technology to maximize production and efficiency for profit, often by corporations.
Example:
A vast wheat farm in the Great Plains, utilizing GPS-guided tractors and chemical fertilizers, exemplifies large-scale commercial agriculture.
Mechanization
The process of replacing human and animal labor with machines in agricultural tasks, leading to increased efficiency, speed, and scale of operations.
Example:
The use of large combine harvesters for grain collection is a prime example of mechanization in modern farming.
Natural Resources (in agriculture)
The naturally occurring materials and conditions, such as soil fertility, water availability, and climate, that are essential for agricultural production.
Example:
Regions with abundant rainfall and rich volcanic natural resources often specialize in coffee cultivation.
Precision Agriculture
A farming management concept using information technology to ensure that crops and soil receive exactly what they need for optimum health and productivity, such as GPS-guided equipment and sensors.
Example:
Using satellite imagery and soil sensors to apply water and nutrients only where needed is a key practice in precision agriculture.
Production and Consumption (link)
The fundamental economic relationship where the creation of goods (production) is directly influenced by the demand and use of those goods by consumers (consumption).
Example:
An increase in global demand for avocados (consumption) directly incentivizes farmers to expand avocado orchards (production), demonstrating the link between production and consumption.
Social & Cultural Factors (in agriculture)
The traditions, preferences, and societal norms that shape what crops are grown, how food is prepared, and what agricultural practices are adopted within a region.
Example:
The strong preference for rice in many Asian countries is a social & cultural factor that drives extensive rice paddy cultivation.
Spatial Organization of Agriculture
The arrangement and distribution of agricultural activities across a landscape, influenced by various physical, economic, and social factors.
Example:
The spatial organization of agriculture in California's Central Valley is characterized by large-scale fruit and vegetable farms due to fertile soil and extensive irrigation systems.
Technology (in agriculture)
The application of scientific knowledge and tools, such as machinery, genetic engineering, and digital systems, to improve efficiency, productivity, and management in farming.
Example:
The adoption of drone technology allows farmers to monitor crop health and apply inputs precisely, reducing waste.