Key Questions:

1. What is it like to be hungry?
2. Why are so many people in Ethiopia not getting an adequate or balanced diet?

Think S.H.E.E.P. (Social / Historical / Economic / Environmental / Political) factors.

Focus on Ethiopia

Living with hunger - clip

Who is Sorius Samura

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Commercial Farming

Key Questions

• Summarise what you see - what is large scale commercial farming?
• What are the INPUTS - PROCESSES - OUTPUTS?
• Where in the world would you expect to find this type of farming?
• What are the advantages and disadvantages of this type of farming?
• How are the natural inputs different to subsistence farming and small scale commercial farming?
• How are the human inputs different to subsistence farming and small scale commercial farming?
• Is it sustainable?

Focussing on:

PLANTATION AGRICULTURE - ACTIVITY

FACTORY FARMING - Read on

Definition: Large Scale Commercial Factory Farming:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Factory_farming

Case study example: Cargill

Cargill's Timeline:

1950-1999: http://www.cargill.com/about/history/history_1950.htm
2000-present: http://www.cargill.com/about/history/history_2000.htm

FACTORY FARMING ACTIVITY (you will have to register first - this is a private network)

The alternate viewpoint - the dark side of Large Scale Commercial Farming - CLICK HERE

Syllabus Target: Describe in general terms the main features of an agricultural system: inputs, processes and outputs.

KEY TERMS: Subsistance Farming / Small Farmers / Cash Cropping / Agribusiness / Slash and Burn / Sustainability / Shifting Cultivation / Pastoral / Arable / Mixed Farming / Intensive / Extensive / Hydroponics

We are going to look at an example of subsistence farming in detail:

Key Questions for the Week

• Summarise what you see - what is subsistence farming?
• What are the INPUTS - PROCESSES - OUTPUTS with this type of farming?
• Where in the world would you expect to find this type of farming?
• Is it sustainable?

General References

Farming as a system

National Farmers' Union - UK

Agriculture General Notes

Farming Basics

Farming Systems