The Production and Distribution of Food

1. The Production and Distribution of Food APES CH 9

2. Crops and Animals: Major patterns of Food Production 12000 years ago, agriculture and animal husbandry were introduced to the human way of life. This led to the rise of civilization as we know it. Virtually all major crop plants and domestic animals were established in the first thousand years of agriculture. Betweeb 1450 and 1700, exploration and discovery led to exchanges of food between cultures

3. The Development Of Modern Industrialized Agriculture Since the mid 1930�s the number of farms has decreased by two thirds The size of the farm has grown fourfold This has been possible because of the shift from manual labor with the use of farm animals to the use of very specialized machinery It has made us more dependent on fossil fuels As the price of oil rises, so does the cost of food production

4. The use of farm machinery, the increase in crop yields, consistent crop surpluses have enabled farmers to take erosion-prone land out of production. The Conservation Reserve Program Reimburses farmers for retiring erosion prone land and planting it with trees or grasses. All good cropland in the US is not under cultivation or held in shrot term reserve. This does come at the expense of forests and wetlands.

5. The Conundrum of Fertilizers Farmers knew that manure and organic supplements could increase their crop yields When chemical fertilizers came on the marked they also enabled greater yields Fertilizers were convenient More available than manure When first employed, 15-20 additional tons of grain were gained from each ton of fertilizer used

6. Use of fertilizer increased 10 fold between 1950 and 1990 There is an optimal level of fertilizer Too much causes pollution of groundwater and surface water. Chemical Pesticides Provide control over insect and plant pests Due to natural selection, pests have become resistant. Pesticide use has tripled since 1970. Cause side effects to human and environmental health. Lots of residue found on apples, imported peaches, pears, grapes and spinach

7. Irrigation Irrigated acreage has increased 2.6 times from 1950-1990 Expanding at a much slower pace because of limits on water Irrigation represents 70% of all water use. Current irrigation is unsustainable

8. The Green Revolution High Yielding Varieties of Plants Varieties of grain plants that produce double to triple that of traditional varieties Selecting strains that diverted more of the plant�s photosynthate to the seed and away from the stem, leaves and roots. In 1943 efforts were made to take new ag technology to Mexico to improve traditional crops grown in Mexico. A hybrid wheat was bred that had a large head and thick stalk, and did well in subtropical climate. Wheat production tripled. Mexico began to export wheat.

9. This was extended to other countries India�s wheat production tripled The green revolution has probably done more than any other single scientific or other achievement to prevent hunger and malnutrition. These high yielding varieties have become the basis of food production in China, Latin America, the Middle East, southern Asia nad the industrialized nations. Because of GR, deforestation has been held back.

10. -More water is required to raise the high-yielding grain More land under irrigation Causes water shortage Modern varieties require fertilizers, pesticides, and mechanized labor GR benefits larger landholders. This has displaced many farm laborers and small landholders.

11. Subsistence AgricultureIn The Developing World Subsistence farmers raise most of the plants and animals in the developing world. Usually done on marginal land Crop residues are fed to livestock Manure is used as fertilizer Family�s nutrition is adequate Usually in areas that have the most rapid population growth

12. Problems with subsistence farming Pressures of population lead to practices that are often unsustainable. Forests and woodlands are cleared for more agriculture land, firewood and animal fodder Leaves soil susceptible to erosion Erosion-prone land good only for producing grass or trees Leads farmers to burn animal dung for cooking and heat This diverts nutrients from the land Good land forced to produce multiple crops

13. Land never lies fallow All these factors act to increases the poverty. Successes Farming practices consistent with the local climate Slash and burn agriculture is sustainable This includes land that supports trees and crops Land that was degraded in Machakos (Kenya) has been recovered, agriculture has diversified, soil and water conservation practices are being used.

14. Animal Farming and its Consequences 70% of the grain crop in the US goes to feeding cattle. Lots of people enjoy eating meat and dairy products In the developed world livestock is raised in large herds under factory-like conditions In rural societies in the developing world, livestock raised on family farms or by subsistence farmers

15. Rangeland is subject to overgrazing (grazing land is dry grassland) Management of animal manure A cow produces about 80 lbs of manure a day. In developing countries manure is used to renew the fertility of the soil. In our country (for the most part) it is a wasted resource. Mostly managed by animal waste lagoons. These leak into surface water and contribute to die-offs of fish and proliferation of algae.

16. In Latin America more than 49 million acres of tropical rain forests have been converted to cattle pasture Deforestation has led to a release of 1.6 billion tons of carbon to the atmosphere. Cows and other ruminant animals eliminate 100 million tons of methane. Methane is a greenhouse gas. Anaerobic decomposition of manure leads to 30 million tons of methane per year. This makes up about 3% of the gases causing global warming.

17. The positive side of animal farming It is often one of the most important kinds of sustainable development aid to rural families in developing countries. Heifer Project International � distributes large animals, beehives, chickens and fish to families for raising. The families commit to donating offspring of their livestock to other needy people. Their lives are tied to the animals they raise.

18. Increasing Food Production Over the last 30 years, grain harvests and meat production have outpaced population growth Raising incomes in the developing world. Demand for meat is shifting production of grains for human consumption to feed grains Increases in yields for grains have been slowing down. Sub-Saharan Africa has the greatest need to increase crop yields Yields would have to increase 2.5% annually to keep up with population growth

19. An extension service proposed by Jimmy Carter, Ethiopia harvested record crops in 1995-95. Showed a 32 % increase in production 15% increase in yield in one year. Due to a simple fertilizer providing N and P to the soil Less meat? 70% of the domestic grain produced in the US goes to feed livestock. Sub-Saharan Africa and India use only 2% to feed their livestock If hunger becomes critical, more people would have to eat lower on the food chain.

20. Greener Revolution Genetically altered foods Possibility to incorporate desired traits into crop lines and animals � production of transgenic breeds Also used to clone cows and goats GM organisms under intense research and development.

21. The Promises First genetically altered products to be marketed Flavr Savr � - tomato that can be vine ripened and kept fresh longer than ordinary tomatoes Cotton plants with build in resistance to insects that comes from genes taken from Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) Crop plants resistant to Roundup�, allowing no till techniques

22. Newer plants Sorghum resistant to witchweed Potatoes and cotton resistant to insects Rice resistant to bacterial blight New animals Salmon that grow very fast Goats that produce spider silk � of all soybeans, cotton and 1/3 of the corn acreage in the US are planted with transgenic breeds

23. The rice genome has been sequences This will allow engendered resistance to diseases Increase tolerance to environmental conditions such as drought and high salt leve. Improve nutritional value of comonly eaten crops Incorporate vaccines against major human disease into the cells of commonly eaten plants. Bt cotton uses much less pesticide, saves money, time and own health in the process

24. The Problems Environmental problems If a crop plant is pest-resistant, it is possible that the pest will develop its own resistance to the toxin more rapidly and render it ineffective Ecological impact of the crop Pollen from Bt corn resistant to the corn borer, dispersers in the wind and spreads to adjacent natural areas where beneficial insects can pick it up and be killed by the toxin. Farmers are required to plant at least 20% of the conventional varieties to slow the development of pest resistance. Another environmental concern, is genetically altered pollen blown by the wind picked up by beneficial insects, ingested and be killed by the toxin.

25. Another concern: pollen can spread to wild relatives of crop plants and possibly create �super weeds�. The actual gene flow is not great but the concern is valid.

26. Food safety Transgenic crops contain proteins from different organisms that might trigger an allergic response in people who consume the food. A Brazil nut gene was incorporated into soybeans and induced an allergic response in individuals allergic to Brazil nuts Antibiotic resistance genes are sometimes incorporated into transgenic organisms to provide a way to trace cells that have been transformed. This resistance could be transferred to pathogens in human systems or the product could prevent an antibiotic from being successful in a person who consumed the plant

27. Corn for aid A load of corn designated for Zambia was rejected by the government because it had been stored in a building with some Bt corn. Concerns about the wholesomeness of the corn led Zambians to believe that the corn was toxic, and even that it could cause AIDS and infertility.

28. Access to new techniques Almost all new genetically modified organisms were developed by large ag-ind farms. Profit was their primary motive. Most of the crops required purchasing seed yearly Most farmers are forbidden to propagate the organism. Farmers in the developing countries are unable to afford the seed annually. Some companies made a build in terminator technology

29. Terminator technology renders the any seeds from the crops sterile. Development of Golden Rice was done primarily to increase the nutrient value of rice eaten in many countries whose diets consists of large portions of rice. It was genetically altered to have a gene that produces �-carotene

30. Thus far there is no evidence that GM foods cause any harm or are unsafe to eat.

31. Food Distribution and Trade For centuries the focus on most countries was �self sufficiency�. Now some nations (the US and Canada) produce more food than the home population needs. Some developing countries produce special commodities such as coffee, sugar, fruit, spices, cocoa, etc. Helps the exporter that allows importing nations to enjoy foods they are unable to raise themselves.

32. Grain has become the most important commodity traded. It is imported by high and middle income countries to satisfy the increased demand for animal protein. Asia, Latin America, and Africa are becoming increasingly dependent on imported grain. Projections show that developing countries will need twice the amount of grain by 2020. These countries will either have to increases domestic production or use less grain.

33. Currently there is enough food produced to feed all people in the world includng the animals. Why are people starving? Who is responsible for feeding the hungry and malnourished?

34. Three major levels for food security Family Nation Global community In a market economy, food flows in the direction of economic demand Need not taken into consideration Food will go to hungry cats if the cat�s owners have money and people with hungry children do not.

35. Family Level The goal at this level is to meet the nutritional needs of everyone in the family. Provides freedom from hunger and malnutrition. Four options, Raise the food Purchase the food Gather it from natural ecosystems Have it provided by someone Another possibility or safety net needs to be in place if these fail, a food stamp policy, or some sort of welfare measure.

36. National Level Recently a push to remove people on welfare from public assistance to independence. 50% were taken off welfare and joined the workforce. This happened in economically good times, a rise in the caseloads mopst recently Americas Second Harvest � volunteer food banks throughout the country, a voluntary safety net. Serves the working poor and elderly people who often have to choose between food and medication.

37. Developing countries The goal is self sufficiency in food The nation can either produce alll the food its people needs or buy the food Many nations are not self sufficient in food and turn to the global community for food aid. Outsourcing clothing manufacture has helped developing countries. Even if the pay is below what workers in developed countries receive it is often enough to help workers improve their living conditions and their diets.

38. Hunger Malnutrition and Famine Hunger � lack of food required for energy and for meeting nutritional needs Malnutrition � lack of essential nutrients such as amino acids, vitamins and minerals Undernourishment � lack of adequate food energy Overnourishment � consuming too much food which can lead to heart disease and diabetes. Consequences of Hunger Almost 2/3 of the undernourished live in Asia and the Pacific. India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Southeast Asia. Sub-Saharan Africa has the highest percentage of undernourished 1/3 of the population affected The effects are greatest in children, preventing normal growth and leaving them mentally and physically impaired. Next greatest are women

39. Sickness and death come from inadequate food Hunger is often a seasonal phenomenon Hunger is caused from grinding deeply rooted poverty 1.2 billion people live on less than $1 per day. Most reside in rural villages, are illiterate, spend more than half of their income on food Represent races tribes or religions that suffer discrimination.

40. Famine is a severe shortage of food accompanied by a significant increase in the death rate Two causes: drought Responsible for the famine between 1968 -84 and again1984-85 that struck the Sahel, drylands south of the Sahara desert. These people practice subsistence farming. Rainfall is seasonal and undependable People left their farms and migrated to the urban areas. They were put in refugee camps. These were unsanitary. Many died of dysentery and cholera. Over a million deaths in Ethiopia.

41. Conflict � Famines that are caused by war. Civil wars disrupt the farmer�s normal planting and harvesting. Governments maintain control over the food and relief supplies The war in Afghanistan and Iraq have triggered food shortages. Famines from drought and ware are preventable and can even lead to accelerating peace processes.

42. Hunger Hot Spots Sub-Saharan Africa 25 countries face food emergencies Zimbabwe, Ethopia and Sudan are especially vulnerable North Korea lacks a centrally planned agriculture policy. Perhaps two million have died and millions are believe to be close to starvation. Food Aid � World Food Program of the UN, Most donations from the US, Canada, Australia and the EU. Food is distributed all over the world not just to countries where famine is prevalent.

43. The Food aid from the US and Canada Purchased from farmers Represents a subsidy This may be the worst thing we do. People will ot pay more than they have to for food. Very cheap or free food undercuts the local market. When they cannot earn a profit they abandon producing and join the ranks of the poor.

44. No new science or technology is needed to alleviate hunger The solution is in the realm of political and social action at all levels of responsibility.