5.2 What are the factors affecting agricultural production?

1. 5.2 What are the factors affecting agricultural production? Part B

2. What are the factors affecting agriculture? A B C Which of the places is/are suitable for farming? Why? Flat lowland River (irrigation water supply)

3. What are the factors affecting agriculture? The location of different farming system is determined by the interaction of physical and cultural factors. Physical factors strongly affect where a particular crop or type of livestock will be found. Physical factors 1 Climate 2 Land A Temperature B Rainfall C Wind A Soil B Relief C River

4. What are the factors affecting agriculture? The location of different farming system is determined by the interaction of physical and cultural factors. Cultural factors Cultural factors refer to variables from the socio-economic environment. 1 Labour 2 Capital 3 Technologies 4 Market 5 Transport 6 Institutional factors

5. How do these factors shape the characteristics of farming in an area? Physical and cultural factors interact and produce the distinctive characteristics of farming. Let’s look at the example of vegetable farming in Lam Tsuen Valley.

6. How do these factors shape the characteristics of farming in an area? Interplay of physical and cultural factors How do these factors contribute to the characteristics of vegetable farming in Lam Tsuen Valley?

7. 1 Climate A Temperature Growing season ________________ refers to the period of a year when farming is possible. 6 Crops can only grow at ____°C or above. Under favourable temperatures, plant growth is active. At the freezing point, frost may appear and destroy crops. The longer the frost-free period, the ( shorter / longer ) the growing season.

8. 1 Climate What is the relationship between the length of the frost-free period and latitudes? A Temperature Frost-free periods of the world

9. 1 Climate A Temperature Temperature affects world patterns of agriculture. Wheat is grown in areas with a ( low / moderate / high ) mean temperature Wet rice is grown in areas with a ( low / high ) mean temperature

10. 1 Climate B Rainfall Annual rainfall determines the types of crops grown and the size of the production. In areas with abundant rainfall, the number of crops grown in a year can be ( less / greater ). Wheat is grown in ( drier / more humid ) areas In South China, double cropping ortriple cropping of rice is practised each year Wet rice is grown in areas with abundant rainfall

11. 1 Climate B Rainfall Seasonal variations in rainfall, the intensity and duration of rainfall can have a great influence on crops. • Unusual precipitation patterns may damage crops and cause huge economic losses to farmers: • Rainstorms • Hailstorms • Frost • Drought Prolonged drought could be disastrous to agriculture Frost can kill crops

12. Crops 1 Climate Wind may bring positive and adverse effects on crops. C Wind Positive effect Adverse effect Onshore wind brings moisture to coastal areas, lengthening the growing season. Strong winds may evaporation increase ___________ rates and cause soil erosion; damage crops. Onshore wind Sea Tropical cyclones damage crops

13. 2 Land A Soil Soil quality depends on the following soil properties:

14. B C A 2 Land Why? B Relief Place ( A / B / C ) is suitable for farming. Altitude: It is located on ( lowland / highland ), where temperatures are usually ( lower / higher ). Aspect: It ( is / is not ) facing the sun and have more sunshine. It is on the windward slope which can receive _____ rain. Gradient of the field: ( Gentle / Steep ) slope and thick soil 6°C relief 30°C 27°C

15. B C A 2 Land Why Place B is not suitable for farming? B Relief Place B Altitude: It is located on ( lowland / highland ), where temperatures are usually ( lower / higher ). Aspect and gradient: Although it is facing the sun and receives ______ rain, its gradient is ( gentle / steep ) and the soil is too ( thin / thick ) for crops. relief 6°C 30°C 27°C

16. B C A 2 Land Why Place C is not suitable for farming? B Relief Place C Altitude: It is located on ( lowland / highland ), where temperatures are usually ( lower / higher ). Aspect: Gradient: It is too ( gentle / steep ) for growing crops. It ( is / is not ) facing the sun. It ( receives / does not receive ) relief rain. It is in the ____________, which is ( dry / wet ). rain shadow 6°C 30°C 27°C

17. Stone wall helps to stabilize the slope 2 Land Yes, we can grow crops on highland by terracing. B Relief Surface run-off is fast on steep slope. Soil erosion is active Original slope Surface run-off is slow on flat slope Little infiltration and soil moisture content Can we still grow crops on highland? How? More infiltration and soil moisture content Soil Bedrock

18. 2 Land C River alluvial The fertile ________ soil on flood plains is favourable for growing crops. The river provides water for _________ and transporting agricultural produce. irrigation Crops River valleys and deltas are favourable locations for cultivation. Alluvial soil Cultivation along the Zhu Jiang in Kaiping, Guangdong e.g. the deltas of River Nile and Ganga River (Credit: Tsui Chung Pong David)

19. 1 Labour Less developed regions Is there any difference in the demand for labour in different regions? The farming systems usually require ( less / more ) labour as they employ traditional and labour-intensive farming methods. Their yield per unit of land is ( low / high ) but yield per worker is generally ( low / high ). Asian farmers harvesting rice

20. 2 Capital More developed regions The farming systems usually require ( less / more ) labour because __________ are widely used. machines Capital is more available. Farming rely more on _______-intensive methods. Production per farmer is ( low / high ). capital Crop harvesting in a more developed region

21. 3 Technology The use of various technologies can help to overcome physical constraints and improve farm production.

22. 4 Market There are two types of markets for farm produce, local and overseas markets. Market forces affect farmers’ decisions on the types of crops grown or animals reared. A vegetable market in Thailand

23. and send the produce to markets for sale. 5 Transport Inputs With good transport, __________ produce can be delivered to local and international markets within a short time. Farmers need transport systems to bring inputs to the farm perishable Produce Farms with good transport can have more choices for crops.

24. 6 Institutional factors Institutional factors include land ownership and government policies on farming. We receive subsidies from the government. We can rear more herds at a lower cost. I own my farmland. I am willing to invest on a long-term basis.