AGRICULTURAL AGRICULTURAL TERRITORIESTERRITORIES

http://www.sheknows.com/living/articles/803410/ecofriendly-food-on-sundance-channel

The image above is a rice paddyThe image above is a rice paddy.. Besides wheat, rice is the most commonly Besides wheat, rice is the most commonly

grown crop throughout the world.grown crop throughout the world. Rice feeds a large portion of the world’s Rice feeds a large portion of the world’s

population.population. Rice is a relatively inexpensive crop and it Rice is a relatively inexpensive crop and it

could provide a large portion of one’s daily could provide a large portion of one’s daily calories.calories.

Traditionally rice is grown in flooded fields. Traditionally rice is grown in flooded fields. This deters weeds and “pests” from This deters weeds and “pests” from destroying crops.destroying crops.

Agricultural Areas: Under Agricultural Areas: Under threat:threat: Everyday floods, earthquakes, storms, and Everyday floods, earthquakes, storms, and

other disasters destroy crops and farm land.other disasters destroy crops and farm land. These These natural hazards natural hazards can also pose a can also pose a

threat to humans threat to humans as well.as well. Many of the Many of the world’s largest farming world’s largest farming

communities are located in very fragile communities are located in very fragile areas.areas.

Fragile:Fragile: delicate: easily broken or damaged or destroyeddelicate: easily broken or damaged or destroyed

Farmers in these areas are at constant risk Farmers in these areas are at constant risk of loosing their crops. of loosing their crops.

Agricultural Environments Agricultural Environments at Risk:at Risk:Environment:Environment: the area in which something exists or lives.the area in which something exists or lives.

At-risk environment:At-risk environment: It is an environment that is It is an environment that is threatened by threatened by

natural disasters or human actions or natural disasters or human actions or bothboth..

Natural disasters include: Natural disasters include: floods, storms, floods, storms, earthquakes, volcanoes, fire, droughtearthquakes, volcanoes, fire, drought, , etc.etc.

Human actions include: Human actions include: war, pesticides, war, pesticides, growing cities, fire, over farminggrowing cities, fire, over farming, etc., etc.

Consequences for at Risk Consequences for at Risk Areas: Areas: 1. At-risk areas become 1. At-risk areas become degradeddegraded with every with every

passing year.passing year.Degrade:Degrade: reduce the level of land, as by erosion reduce the level of land, as by erosion reduce its worthreduce its worth

Erosion:Erosion: condition in which the earth's surface is worn condition in which the earth's surface is worn

away by the action of water and wind away by the action of water and wind

2. Land could also dry out. 2. Land could also dry out. This means that this area is open to This means that this area is open to

soil erosionsoil erosion by wind and water. by wind and water.

3. At risk areas will also become 3. At risk areas will also become pollutedpolluted, with the , with the overuse of overuse of pesticides and fertilizerspesticides and fertilizers..

This means that the land will not This means that the land will not produce as much crops and force produce as much crops and force people to look elsewhere for their food. people to look elsewhere for their food.

At risk agricultural land: At risk agricultural land: LocationLocation Some agricultural environments are more Some agricultural environments are more

fragile than others.fragile than others. You already learned that any region in the You already learned that any region in the

world is vulnerable to natural hazards world is vulnerable to natural hazards (tornadoes etc.) and human hazards (war, (tornadoes etc.) and human hazards (war, pesticides etc.).pesticides etc.).

Both types of hazards cause the Both types of hazards cause the degradationdegradation of farmland.of farmland.

This explains why degraded soil exists all over This explains why degraded soil exists all over the world.the world.

Stable: Stable: resistant to change of position or conditionresistant to change of position or condition firm and dependable; subject to little firm and dependable; subject to little

fluctuation; fluctuation; not taking part readily in change not taking part readily in change maintaining equilibrium (balanced) maintaining equilibrium (balanced) static: showing little if any change; "a static static: showing little if any change; "a static

population"population"

Canada and Russia both have relatively Canada and Russia both have relatively stable soil. This is due to the short stable soil. This is due to the short growing season.growing season.

Europe and Asia have mostly very Europe and Asia have mostly very degraded soil. This is due to years of degraded soil. This is due to years of over farming and large populations.over farming and large populations.

Finally there are some parts of the Finally there are some parts of the world that nothing could grown ex: world that nothing could grown ex: Greenland and the Sahara.Greenland and the Sahara.

These areas force more people to These areas force more people to continue to use degraded soil areas.continue to use degraded soil areas.

The Greatest Risks for The Greatest Risks for Farming:Farming:1) 1) Growing populationsGrowing populations With an increase in population there is an With an increase in population there is an

increase in the demand for food.increase in the demand for food. Developed countries (ex: US and Canada) Developed countries (ex: US and Canada)

demand specialized crops to fill their demand specialized crops to fill their diverse diet.diverse diet.

To meet these needs farmers have To meet these needs farmers have monoculture farms (1 crop). This monoculture farms (1 crop). This increases the risk of disease.increases the risk of disease.

2) 2) Growing CitiesGrowing Cities As cities expand they begin to use As cities expand they begin to use

farmland for housing developments and farmland for housing developments and industry.industry.

Transportation systems; roads, highways, Transportation systems; roads, highways, etc, need to be built as well.etc, need to be built as well.

Power lines and other energy Power lines and other energy transportation systems need to be passed.transportation systems need to be passed.

All of this means that the more land used All of this means that the more land used for cities less land that could be used for for cities less land that could be used for farming.farming.

3) 3) Farming techniquesFarming techniques Farming in fragile areas requires very specific Farming in fragile areas requires very specific

practices as to ensure the survival of crops.practices as to ensure the survival of crops.

Farmers must include systems to protect Farmers must include systems to protect their soil against erosion (dries up) and their soil against erosion (dries up) and ensure proper water distribution.ensure proper water distribution.

Very intensive practices are needed in some Very intensive practices are needed in some areas since the growing seasons may be areas since the growing seasons may be shorter.shorter.

Feeding the World:Feeding the World: Unfortunately Unfortunately millions of people live millions of people live

below the poverty line and do not below the poverty line and do not have an adequate food supplyhave an adequate food supply..

There are major international meetings There are major international meetings held every year to discuss agricultural held every year to discuss agricultural development. development.

Representatives discuss the Representatives discuss the four major four major issues facing agricultural areas.issues facing agricultural areas.

The following are greater issues for at risk The following are greater issues for at risk areas:areas:

1) 1) Sustainable agricultural practices:Sustainable agricultural practices: This includes maintaining small farms and recognizing This includes maintaining small farms and recognizing

that some areas we live in or farm on are fragile.that some areas we live in or farm on are fragile.

Maintain:Maintain: keep in a certain condition, position, or activitykeep in a certain condition, position, or activity conserve: keep in safety and protect from harm, conserve: keep in safety and protect from harm,

decay, loss, or destructiondecay, loss, or destruction

Ex: teaching proper water managementEx: teaching proper water management

Water management Water management is practices is practices involving both drainage (removing water) involving both drainage (removing water) and irrigation (compensating for lack of and irrigation (compensating for lack of water). water).

2) 2) Food security for populations:Food security for populations: Taking action to prevent food Taking action to prevent food

shortages and famines that can shortages and famines that can result from natural disasters result from natural disasters (flooding) or human actions (wars).(flooding) or human actions (wars).

3) 3) Territorial autonomyTerritorial autonomy (not (not controlled by outside forces):controlled by outside forces):

Outside aid cannot hurt an area’s Outside aid cannot hurt an area’s economy.economy.

4) 4) Quality of trade communities:Quality of trade communities: Groups involved in food trade must Groups involved in food trade must

meet the needs of the area they are meet the needs of the area they are trading to.trading to.

They must think about the interests They must think about the interests of the people in other areas. of the people in other areas.

In other words, communities that are In other words, communities that are wealthier must not take advantage of wealthier must not take advantage of trading partners from developing trading partners from developing nations (poor nations).nations (poor nations).

The Sahel:The Sahel: The Sahel region is located in Africa, The Sahel region is located in Africa,

south of the Sahara dessert.south of the Sahara dessert. The The Sahel is a semi-arid area, this Sahel is a semi-arid area, this

means very low and irregular means very low and irregular precipitation precipitation (25-60 cm per year).(25-60 cm per year).

This area stretches This area stretches across ten across ten countries and is home to almost countries and is home to almost 60 million people60 million people..

It is also It is also one of the poorest one of the poorest regions in the world. regions in the world.

Sahel RegionSahel Region

Over the past 30 years the Sahara desert Over the past 30 years the Sahara desert has been increasing in size.has been increasing in size.

This means that the Sahel is getting This means that the Sahel is getting smaller.smaller.

However, the Sahel has large stores of However, the Sahel has large stores of groundwater and an extensive river groundwater and an extensive river system.system.

This helps since rain is becoming This helps since rain is becoming increasingly rare.increasingly rare.

The climate is suitable for growing cereal The climate is suitable for growing cereal crops (millet and sorghum) and cotton. crops (millet and sorghum) and cotton.

There are regular droughts in the Sahel.There are regular droughts in the Sahel. The three major rivers; Senegal, Niger, and The three major rivers; Senegal, Niger, and

Volta provide water and a constant supply Volta provide water and a constant supply of fish.of fish.

The people of the Sahel are rural, there are The people of the Sahel are rural, there are very few major industries in this region.very few major industries in this region.

Residents rely on crop and livestock Residents rely on crop and livestock farming for a living.farming for a living.

High degradation, population growth, High degradation, population growth, disease, and poverty are threatening the disease, and poverty are threatening the way of life for many in this region.way of life for many in this region.

A Shoreline:A Shoreline: Sahel comes from the Arab word “sahil” Sahel comes from the Arab word “sahil”

which means edge or coast.which means edge or coast. It is believed that this Sahel region It is believed that this Sahel region

received its name after the Sahara came received its name after the Sahara came into being.into being.

Some argue that middle eastern Some argue that middle eastern merchants and traders gave this area merchants and traders gave this area it’s name.it’s name.

They saw the Sahel as a paradise after They saw the Sahel as a paradise after crossing the Sahara. crossing the Sahara.

Why is the Sahel a fragile Why is the Sahel a fragile environment?environment? There are two main reasons why the There are two main reasons why the

Sahel is an “at risk” area.Sahel is an “at risk” area.

1) 1) Rain is rare and unpredictableRain is rare and unpredictable The The Sahel is known as a transition Sahel is known as a transition

zone. The area is between two zone. The area is between two different climatesdifferent climates..

The northern part of the Sahel is The northern part of the Sahel is mainly desert.mainly desert.

The The southern part is semi-arid southern part is semi-arid which receives very little rainwhich receives very little rain..

Many of the plant species found in the Many of the plant species found in the Sahel have adapted to the very little Sahel have adapted to the very little rainfall.rainfall.

However, despite this, there are However, despite this, there are periods of drought and most of the periods of drought and most of the time the rainfall is unpredictable.time the rainfall is unpredictable.

Furthermore, there are times during the Furthermore, there are times during the year when it is so hot that the rain year when it is so hot that the rain evaporates before it hits the ground.evaporates before it hits the ground.

This region relies heavily on the This region relies heavily on the surrounding riverssurrounding rivers..

2) 2) Farmland is difficult to manageFarmland is difficult to manage Most farms are located in the south.Most farms are located in the south. Most farmers have Most farmers have subsistence subsistence

crops. This means they grow only crops. This means they grow only what they need to survive.what they need to survive.

Many grow cereal crops since they are Many grow cereal crops since they are very nutritious, cheap, and could grow very nutritious, cheap, and could grow in the harsh climate. in the harsh climate.

There are some areas that have larger There are some areas that have larger cash crops (can be sold for profit)cash crops (can be sold for profit)

As the population of the region As the population of the region increases so does the need for food.increases so does the need for food.

This means that farmers must clear This means that farmers must clear more farmland.more farmland.

Once the vegetation disappears strong Once the vegetation disappears strong winds begin to extend the borders of winds begin to extend the borders of the Sahara.the Sahara.

Vegetation (small trees and shrubs) Vegetation (small trees and shrubs) keep the Sahel from becoming part of keep the Sahel from becoming part of the desert. the desert.

Water in the Sahel:Water in the Sahel: Water is essential for life. Nothing will Water is essential for life. Nothing will

grow without an adequate water supply.grow without an adequate water supply. Since the Sahel receives very little rain Since the Sahel receives very little rain

use of the rivers are a necessity.use of the rivers are a necessity. However, the rivers are very poorly However, the rivers are very poorly

developed and managed.developed and managed. This is due to a lack of funding and This is due to a lack of funding and

government assistance.government assistance. There are three rivers running through There are three rivers running through

the Sahel; The Senegal, Niger, and Volta the Sahel; The Senegal, Niger, and Volta rivers.rivers.

Water is unfairly distributed in this region.Water is unfairly distributed in this region. Some nations have an abundance such as Some nations have an abundance such as

Mali, Niger, and Senegal. Others are in Mali, Niger, and Senegal. Others are in desperate need.desperate need.

In 2000 it was estimated that only 47% of In 2000 it was estimated that only 47% of the total population of the Sahel had the total population of the Sahel had access to water.access to water.

Moreover, in some nations governments Moreover, in some nations governments have contracted water distribution to have contracted water distribution to private companies. private companies.

This means that many do not receive This means that many do not receive water since they cannot afford it.water since they cannot afford it.

Some areas are loosing their water sources.Some areas are loosing their water sources. This is due to a change in global weather This is due to a change in global weather

caused by global warming.caused by global warming. One example is Lake Chad.One example is Lake Chad.

Meeting land and water Meeting land and water needs:needs: Soil degradation is the biggest problem Soil degradation is the biggest problem

in the Sahel.in the Sahel. There are some solutions to preventing There are some solutions to preventing

soil degradation and meeting food soil degradation and meeting food needs.needs.

1.1.Planting trees/shrubs with deep roots Planting trees/shrubs with deep roots to reach underground water.to reach underground water.

2.2.Plant drought resistant plants like; Plant drought resistant plants like; cowpeacowpea

3.3.Digging and managing community Digging and managing community wells.wells.

4.4.Using water saving irrigation methodsUsing water saving irrigation methods5.5.Protect crops from animals by planting Protect crops from animals by planting

thorny bushes (natural fence).thorny bushes (natural fence).

Areas like the Sahel must first develop Areas like the Sahel must first develop programs to fight poverty before they programs to fight poverty before they can use any of these solutions.can use any of these solutions.

Sahel countries have formed the Sahel countries have formed the Permanent Inter-State Committee for Permanent Inter-State Committee for Drought Control.Drought Control.

In their platform they include water In their platform they include water management and hunger reduction.management and hunger reduction.

International Organizations have International Organizations have created drought awareness and hunger created drought awareness and hunger campaigns to help these regions. campaigns to help these regions.

Food Crisis and Famines:Food Crisis and Famines: Food crisis occur regularly in the Sahel.Food crisis occur regularly in the Sahel. The causes are varied; insufficient rain, The causes are varied; insufficient rain,

locusts, or war.locusts, or war. The result is that many farmers leave The result is that many farmers leave

their land to open small businesses.their land to open small businesses. The result is that there is not enough The result is that there is not enough

food to support the population.food to support the population. When food crisis occurs international When food crisis occurs international

donations are not the best solution. donations are not the best solution.

Donations may hurt the local economy.Donations may hurt the local economy. The best solutions are community-The best solutions are community-

based:based:1.1.Distributing food suppliesDistributing food supplies2.2.Selling food at reduced pricesSelling food at reduced prices3.3.Creating local grain/food banksCreating local grain/food banks4.4.Supplying farmers with seeds.Supplying farmers with seeds. During famines (extreme lack of food) During famines (extreme lack of food)

international aid is needed to prevent international aid is needed to prevent death and widespread starvation. death and widespread starvation.