5.1 What is famine? Where do most famines occur?

A What is famine?
1 a Complete the chart below to show how famine occurs.

When the amount of food is ( enough /

not enough) to feed the population

Food ___shortages___ occur

Situation become severe and lasts for a long

period of time causing many people to die

__Famine___ occurs

b What is famine?
It refers to the situation in which many people die because of severe food shortages.

B Where does famine most likely to occur?

2 Figure 1 shows the risk of food shortages by country.

1
Figure 1 Risk of food shortages by country
a Complete Table 1 to show the risk of food shortages in different countries.
Table 1
Countries GNP per capita (2007) Risk of food shortages

China US$2,370 Moderate

Ethiopia US$220 High

Japan US$37,790 Low

Mexico US$9,400 Moderate

Niger US$280 High

USA US$46,040 Low

Source: The World Bank

Note: According to the World Bank, countries with GNP per capita of US$11,456 or above are considered
as more developed countries, countries with GNP per capita of US$11,455 or below are considered as less
developed countries.

b Refer to Table 1.
i What is the level of economic development of the countries with low risk of food
shortages?
Countries with low risk of food shortages are mostly ( more / less ) developed

countries. They have a ( high / low ) GNP per capita and therefore a ( high / low )

level of economic development.

ii What is the level of economic development of the countries with high risk of food
shortages?
Countries with high risk of food shortages are mostly less developed countries.
They have a low GNP per capita and therefore a low level of economic
development.
iii What do you notice about the relationship between the level of economic
development and the risk of food shortages?
Countries with a low level of economic development have a high risk of food
shortages.

2
C Why do some countries have a high risk of food shortages whereas
others have a low risk?
3 Table 2 shows the production and consumption of cereals in the world, USA, Niger and Japan.
Study Figure 1 (p. 1), Tables 1 (p.2) and 2 and answer the following questions.
Table 2
World USA Niger Japan
Production of cereals
2,054.7 (2005–6) 335 (2003) 3.3 (2002) 12.4 (2005)
(million tonnes)
Consumption of cereals
2,042.2 (2005–6) 32 (2003) 3.6 (2002) 22 (2005)
(million tonnes)
Source: UNFAO

a Based on the world figures in Table 2, is there enough food to feed the world population?
Yes, the world production of cereals is larger than consumption. This means that the
world have enough food to feed the population.
b i Which country has cereal production greater than cereal consumption?
The USA.
ii Which countries have cereal consumption greater than cereal production?
Niger and Japan.
iii Which country has food shortages?
Niger.
c Based on the world figures, we can see that the world produce enough cereals for
everyone to consume. So why do food shortages still exist?
The basic reason for causing food shortages in some countries is the world supply of food

is ( even / uneven ). Some countries, such as the USA, produce ( more / less ) food than

their people demand. These countries have surplus food. They can _____export______

and sell their surplus food in the world market. However, some countries, such as Niger,

produce ( more / less ) food than their people demand. Moreover, they are too poor to

import food to meet their demand, therefore, food shortages occur in these countries.

3
 d Japan also has cereal consumption greater than cereal production. Why doesn’t it have
food shortages?
This is because it has money to import food to solve the problem of food shortages.
e What can you conclude about the reasons causing food shortages and famine in some
countries but not others? Fill in the following boxes by referring to the hints below.

i What affect food demand of a country?

ii&iii What affect food supply of a country?
iv What is the relation between food demand and food supply that will lead to
famine ( <, > or = )?

i _Population ii ___Local food

Food demand iv ＞ Food supply
size_______ production___
____________
iii Food imports_
Food shortages ____________

Prolonged severe
conditions

Famine

D What are the characteristics found among countries where famine

occurs?
4 Table 3 shows the country profiles of Finland and Chad.
Table 3
Finland Chad
1
Population (millions) (2007) 5.3 10.8
1
Annual population growth (%) (2007) 0.4 2.8
2
Birth rate (per 1,000 people) (2000–5) 11 47.6
1
Illiteracy rate (all adults) (%) (2007) 0 68.2
1
Life expectancy (years) (2007) 79 51
1
GNP per capita (US$) (2007) 44,300 540
3
Agricultural labour force (%) (2004) 4.6 71.4
3
Dietary energy consumption
3,190 (high) 1,980 (low)
(kcal/person/day) (2003–5)

4
 Unstable, refugees and
Political stability Stable
conflict
Source: 1 The World Bank 2
UN 3 UNFAO
a Refer to Figure 1 on p. 1, what is the risk of food shortages in Finland and Chad
respectively?
Finland has a low risk of food shortages while Chad has a high risk of food
shortages.
b Refer to Table 3. What are the characteristics of the country suffering from high risk of
food shortages?
i Population characteristics
• ( Large / small ) population

• ( High / Low ) birth rate and a ( high / low ) population growth

• ( High / Low ) level of education

• ( Long / Short ) life expectancy

• ( High / Low ) dietary energy consumption

ii Economic development
• ( High / Low ) income

• Rely heavily on ____agriculture____ for income

• ( High / Low ) level of economic development

iii Political stability

• ( Stable / Unstable ) political condition, with _____refugees____ and

____conflict_____

5
5.2 What are the factors affecting agricultural
production?
A What is agriculture? How can we classify agriculture into different
types?
1 What is agriculture?
Agriculture refers to the __________growing of crops___________ or rearing of livestock for

___food____ and ________raw materials_________.

2 How can we classify agriculture into different types? Complete Table 1 to show the way of
classifying agriculture.
Table 1
1 Inputs-land ratio/outputs-land ratio

______Intensive______ farming Extensive farming

• Farmland is small with much labour. • Farmland is large with little labour.

• The input and output per land area is • The input and output per land area is
Characteristics high. low.

Rice cultivation in South China or Shifting cultivation or other examples

Example
other examples

6
Table 1 (continued)
2 Types of output

Livestock
____Arable____ farming ____Mixed____ farming
rearing/Pastoral farming

(Credit: Nigel
Dickinson/Still Pictures)

Farmers grow crops only. Farmers raise animals Farmers grow crops and
Characteristics only. raise animals on the same

farm.

Cotton growing in the Livestock rearing in Wheat-sheep farming in

Example USA or other examples South China or other south-east Australia or

examples other examples

3 Uses of outputs

_____Subsistence_____ farming Commercial farming

Characteristics Outputs are for self-consumption Outputs are for sale

Nomadic herding or other examples Cattle ranching in tropical rainforests

Example
or other examples
4 Permanence of farmland or pasture used

____Sedentary_____ farming Non-sedentary farming

Farmers grow crops or rear livestock at Farmers move from time to time in
Characteristics
a permanent land site. search of suitable land or pasture.

7
 Rice cultivation in Indonesia or other
Example Shifting cultivation or other examples
examples
Table 1 (continued)
5 Level of technology

_____Low-technology_____ farming High-technology farming

Farming activity uses low technology • Farming activity is __specialized__,

and little energy. highly mechanized and

____commercialized____.
Characteristics
• Much energy from ______fossil

fuels_____ such as oil, is used to

run the farm.

Rice cultivation in South China or Irrigation farming in southern

Example
other examples California or other examples

B What is a farming system?

3 Complete the flow chart below to show an arable farming system.

8
 Inputs __Farming processes__ Outputs

Physical Plouging, sowing, Useful Useless

planting, irrigating,
___Climate___, ____soil____, harvesting, etc. Crops Waste
land, ___water___ and seeds

Cultural
Cash Market
____Labour____, capital,
____technology_____, market,
Self-consumption
__transport__ and government

C What are the factors affecting agriculture?

4 Complete Figure 1 below to show the factors affecting agriculture.

Temperature Soil

Rainfall Climate Land Relief

Wind Drainage

Physical factors
Farming
Interplay characteristics
of an area
Cultural factors

Capital Transport

Labour Technologies Market Institutional factors

Figure 1

Physical factors

5 Figure 2 shows the frost-free periods of the world.

9
Figure 2
a What can you notice about the relationship between annual mean temperature and the
length of the frost-free period?
The higher the annual mean temperature, the ____longer____ the length of the frost-free

period.

b How does the length of the frost-free period affect the length of the growing season?
The length of the frost-free period determines the length of the growing season. This

means the longer the frost-free period, the _____longer the length of the growing

season___________________________.

c If you were a farmer and you want to grow rice, which place will you choose to farm,
Place A or B? Why?
Place ( A / B ). It is because this place have a higher annual mean temperature and
without frost-free period. Therefore, farming activity can be carried out throughout the
year.

d Complete the flow chart below to show how temperature affect agriculture.

10
 The length of the growing season

Affects
Temperature
The type of crop grown or livestock raised

6 Complete Table 2 to show how rainfall affects agriculture.

Table 2

Annual rainfall

• Affects the _____types_____ of crops grown and the _____size_____ of production.

Types of crops grown Size of production

• Areas with abundant rainfall are suitable for • Areas with abundant rainfall can have a

growing _____water-demanding_____ ( smaller / greater ) number of cropping.

crops such as wet rice.

• Drier areas are suitable for growing

___dry___ crops such as wheat and barley.

Seasonal variations in rainfall

• Variable and unreliable rainfall may ( increase / reduce ) crop yield

Intensity and duration of rainfall

• Heavy showers may cause _____flooding_____ and drown the crops.

• Prolonged ____drought_____ may cause crops to wither.

Unusual precipitation

• Rainstorms, hailstorms, frost, etc. may ____damage_____ crops and bring huge economic

losses to farmers.

7 Below shows the effects of wind on agriculture. Fill in the box with ‘+’ or ‘－’ to indicate
whether it has positive or adverse effects on agriculture.

11
 How does it affect agriculture

Bring moisture to coastal areas, thereby lengthen the

Onshore winds + growing season.

Increase evaporation rate and therefore reduce soil

Strong winds － moisture and cause soil erosion.

Damage crops
Tropical cyclones －

8 a Below shows the quality of soil. Which soil quality is favourable for crop growth? Tick
() the appropriate answers.
pH value  Slightly acidic  Strongly acidic or alkaline

Thickness of soil  Thin  Thick

Nutrient content/Soil fertility  Low  High

Moisture content  Well-drained  Poorly-drained

 Unstable and insufficient  Stable and sufficient

b Figure 3 shows the physical environment of an area.

Figure 3

i Which place is more favourable for farming? Why?

Place ( A / B / C ) is more favourable for farming. It is because the _______alluvial

12
 soil on the flood plain is fertile and the soil is thick___________________________

__________. In addition, it is near a ____river_____ where irrigation water is

( insufficient / sufficient ). The river can also act as a means for transporting

____agricultural produce_________.

ii (a) Explain why Place A is not suitable for farming.

The water table at Place A is ( high / low ), the soil may become

___waterlogged___. As most crops cannot grow well in waterlogged fields,

Place A is therefore not favourable for farming.

(b) What can be done to improve the soil condition of Place A in order to make it
more favourable for farming?
Man-made drainage systems with ditches and pipes can be installed to drain
away excess water from the soil.

c Name ONE method which can help increase soil fertility.

Applying fertilizers/fallowing/crop rotation/cover cropping or any other
appropriate answers

9 Figure 4 shows the relief of an area in high-latitude regions in the Northern Hemisphere.

13
 Figure 4

a Relief, including altitude, aspect and gradient of the field, affects farming. Complete
Table 3 to show how these factors affect farming by referring to Figure 4.
Table 3

Place A Place B Place C

Temperature ( increases / decreases ) and wind gets ( stronger / weaker ) with increasing altitude.
Altitude

• ( Highland / Lowland ) • ( Highland / Lowland ) • ( Highland / Lowland )

• Temperature: 30°C • Temperature: ___2___°C • Temperature:21°C

• Located on ( south-facing / • Although located on ( south- • Located on ( south-facing /

north-facing) slope. facing / north-facing) slope, north-facing) slope.

• Receives ( more / less ) the air temperature is low • Receives ( more / less )
Aspect

sunshine  ( warmer / due to high altitude sunshine ( warmer /

cooler ) cooler )

• _____Onshore winds_____ • Located in the ___rain____

provide moisture for crop _____shadow_______, the

growth. place is ( wet / dry ).

14
 Place A Place B Place C

Gradient or slope of the field affects soil ____depth____ and ______mositure______ content.

• Gradient: ( steep / gentle ) • Gradient: ____steep____

• Soil • Soil
Gradient of the field

- thickness: ( thin / thick ) - thickness: ____thin____

- moisture content: ( low / - moisture content: ____low____

high ) because infiltration rate is ____low____ and surface run-off is

because infiltration rate is _____fast_____, resulting in serious ________soil

( high / low ) and surface erosion__________.

run-off is ( fast / slow ).

( More favourable / ( More favourable / Less favourable ) for farming

Less favourable ) for farming

b i What can be done to make farming possible in hilly areas?

Carrying out terracing.
ii What are the advantages of the method you mentioned in Question bi?
Terracing can slow down surface run-off, increase infiltration and soil
moisture. It can prevent soil erosion.

Cultural factors

10 Table 4 shows some information about Countries A and B.

Table 4
Country A Country B
Farm workers (number/hectare) 7.9 0.2
Yield per hectare (million tonnes/hectare) 22 18
Yield per worker (tonnes/hectare) 2.8 90

Compare the farming characteristics between Countries A and B.

• Labour

Country ( A / B ) requires more labour in farming while Country ( A / B ) requires less

15
labour in farming.

16
 • Agricultural outputs

Yield per hectare in Country A is ( higher / lower ) than that in Country B, but yield per

worker is ( higher / lower ) than that in Country B.

11 Below shows some information about Farms A and B in different regions.

Farm A
• Tractors utilization (number/1,000 hectare): 80
• Number of farm workers (number/hectare): 0.09
• Farm investment (US$/hectare): 2,800

Farm B
• Tractors utilization ( number/1,000 hectare): 8
• Number of farm workers (number/hectare): 4.8
• Farm investment (US$/hectare): 820

a Complete Table 5 to show the farming characteristics of Farms A and B.

Table 5
Farm A Farm B

Labour input Low High

Amount of machines used in
Large Small
farm production
Capital input Large Small

Farming method Capital-intensive Labour-intensive

b Which farm is more likely to be located in a more developed country? Why?

Farm A. It is because its capital input is large and only farmers in more developed
country are capable to invest a lot of money in farming.

12 a What are the benefits brought by the means of farming technologies shown on p. 16? Put
the letters in the second column of Table 6 on p. 16.

17
 Means of farming technologies:

A Irrigation and B
drainage Mechanization

C D Applying
Biotechnology herbicides

E Applying
pesticides F Using
greenhouses
G Applying
fertilizers

Table 6 Benefits brought by farming technologies

Benefits Means
Stabilize water supply A
Prevent weeds from competing for nutrients with crops D
Increase farm efficiency and quality of farm work B
Regulate temperature for plant growth F
Improve the quality of crops and increase farm production C
Protect crops from pest E
Improve soil fertility G

b Do less developed countries commonly use advanced technologies in farming? Why?

No, less developed countries rarely use advanced technologies in farming. It is because
farmers are poor and lack of necessary knowledge to use advanced technologies.

13 a What are the TWO kinds of markets for farm produce?

Local and overseas markets.

b Explain how market forces affect commercial farming.

Market forces affect commercial farmers’ decisions on the ____types____ and quantity

of crops grown or animals reared. For example, when the ____demand ____ for and price

18
 of a particular crop increase, farmers will grow ( more / less ).

14 Figure 5 shows two farm locations. Figure 6 shows some information about Farms A and B.

Farm A
Farm produce: cherries,
strawberries, and kiwi fruit
Markets: local and overseas

Farm B
Farm produce: wheat, cotton and
corn
Markets: local and overseas

Figure 5 Figure 6

a Which location is Farm A more likely to locate? Why?

Farm A is more likely to locate at Location ( I / II ). This is because its farm produce are

more _____perishable______ than those of Farm B, being near the _______main

road____ can help transport the farm produce to the market within a ( long / short ) time.

b Produce of Farms A and B are for export. If you were the owner of these two farms,
which means of transport will you use to transport these farm produce to overseas
markets respectively? Why?
I will transport the farm produce of Farm A by (sea / air ) and Farm B by ( sea / air ). This

is because the produce of Farm A are _____more perishable_____ than those of Farm B.

Produce of Farm A need to be delivered to the markets within a short time to prevent loss.

In addition, they are of ( higher / lower ) value which can afford the ( higher / lower )

transport cost.

15 How do institutional factors affect agriculture?

Institutional factors affect agriculture in the following two aspects:

• ______Land ownership______

Farmers who own the farmland are ( more / less ) willing to invest in their farm on a

19
long-term basis such as improving the quality of the soil.

20
 • Government policies

In ( less / more ) developed countries, governments have a strong influence on farming.

Government policies such as ___________providing technological aid___________ and

______subsidies______ will encourage farmers to adopt farming technologies and to

grow more.

D How do physical and cultural factors shape the characteristics of

farming in an area?
16 Refer to Figure 1 on p. 9. How do physical and cultural factors shape the farming
characteristics in an area?
The interaction of physical and cultural factors shapes the farming characteristics in an area.

21
5.3 What are the agricultural characteristics of
nomadic herding in the Sahel?
A Where is the Sahel?
1 Figure 1 shows the location of the Sahel. Figure 2 shows some information of the Sahel.
a Mark the location of the Sahel in RED on Figure 1.
b Complete Figure 2 about the information of the Sahel.

Figure 1

Information of the Sahel

• It is a belt of land at the _____southern_____ edge of the Sahara Desert in Africa.

• It lies approximately between __11°__N and __20°__N.

• It is a strip of ___semi-arid___ land of over 6,000 km long and 450 km wide.

• It separates the Sahara Desert to the north and the ___savanna____ to the south.

• It is fairly uniform in ____climate____ and ____soil____.

• People living in the Sahel have a similar _____lifestyle_____.

Figure 2

22
 B What is the physical environment of the Sahel?
2 Complete Table 1 to show the physical environment of the Sahel.
Table 1
1 Climate

Figure 3 A climatic graph

of Zinder
Figure 4 Annual rainfall in the Sahel
Temperature Rainfall

• Annual mean temperature • Annual rainfall is ___low/scanty___, between 200 mm and 600 mm.

is ____high____ • Much of the rainwater is lost through ___evapotranspiration__ as the

throughout the year. temperature is ____high____ throughout the year.

• Annual range of • Rainfall concentrates in ( winter / summer ) months.

temperature is • Rainfall is ____variable____ and ____unreliable____. It may be wet in

____small____. one year and then very dry in other years.

23
• Complete the flow chart below to show why the Sahel has such temperature and rainfall characteristics.
The Sahel has hot and dry ( onshore / ___Onshore___ winds from the south cannot
offshore ) winds in both summer and penetrate inland and lose most of the
winter ____moisture____ when they reach the Sahel

___Hot___ and ___dry___ throughout the year. It

has a ______tropical semi-arid________ climate.

Table 1 (continued)
2 Drainage and relief

Figure 5 Drainage and relief of the Sahel

Drainage Relief

• Two major rivers—the River ____Niger____ • Much of the Sahel has a ___low___ relief,

and the River ____Nile____ draining a relative highlands are only found on the ( western /

( large / small ) area in the Sahel. eastern ) part.

3 Soils and vegetation

24
• Complete the flow chart below to show the characteristics of soils and vegetation in the Sahel.

___Thin___ and ___High___ evaporation rate caused by strong solar

____infertile____ brown soils radiation ( increases / reduces ) soil moisture

( Hinders / Favours ) plant growth

• Only ____drought____-resistant plants can adapt to the environment.

• Vegetation are ( densely / sparsely ) distributed.
• The major types of vegetation are ____grassland____ and ____shrubs____.

• How can grassland and shrubs help protect the soil?

The roots of shrubs and grasses can hold the soil, therefore preventing the topsoil from being
blown away by strong winds.

C How do people in the Sahel make a living?

3 Figure 6 shows the type of farming commonly practised in the Sahel.

25
Figure 6

a Name the type of farming.

Nomadic herding.

b Briefly describe how the type of farming you mentioned in Question a is practised in the
Sahel.
Nomads rear a ( small / large ) number of herds around _______water source_______.

When _____pasture_____ is exhausted, they then move to another site to look for

____water_____ and ____pasture____. The old site is left _____fallow_____. When the

water and pasture of the new site are exhausted, nomads move their herds again to

another site and the cycle continues.

26
D What is the nomadic herding system in the Sahel? What are the
farming constraints in the Sahel?
4 a Complete the flow chart below to show the nomadic herding system in the Sahel.

Inputs Farming processes

Physical Grazing, watering, milking,
Climate: ___Strong___ solar mating, processing dairy
radiation, ___low___ and products, etc.
unreliable rainfall
_____Infertile brown_____ soils
Shrubs and ____grassland_____
_____Herds_____ Outputs
Cultural Milk, meat and hides
Labour
___Simple____ and traditional • Mainly for ___subsistence___ use
technology • A small part for ___sale___
___Little___ energy input

b What kind of farming does nomadic herding belong? Tick () the appropriate answers.
 Extensive farming  Mixed farming
 Intensive farming  Low-technology farming
 Commercial farming  High-technology farming
 Subsistence farming  Sedentary farming
 Arable farming  Non-sedentary farming
 Pastoral farming

c i Which of the following are farming constraints in the Sahel? Tick () the
appropriate answers.
ii For each of the farming constraints in the Sahel, write down ‘P’ on the line if it is a
physical constraint and ‘C’ if it is a cultural constraint.

 Infertile soil P  Waterlogged soil

 Shortage of labour  Poverty C
 Drought P  Low level of technology C

27
  Thin soil P  Rugged relief
5 a What is carrying capacity of the land?
Carrying capacity of the land refers to the maximum size of population that the
available resources of the land can support.
b What is the carrying capacity of the land in the Sahel, high or low? Why?
The carrying capacity of the land in the Sahel is low. This is because it has a few
resources, it can only support a small population.

E How do the nomads in the Sahel adapt to the environment?

6 a Nomadic herding has been considered as an ecologically balanced system. Refer to
Figure 6 on p. 22, explain why it is an ecologically balanced system.
Nomads move their herds from one place to another for ____pastures____ and

____water____. When the pasture is exhausted in a place, ____________they migrate to

new pastures for grazing_________________________________. The old site will be

left _____fallow______ for soil to recover its _____nutrients_____ and

______water______, and thereby help the grass _____regenerate_____. By doing so, the

___________ecological balance___________ is maintained.

b What do we call the farming practice if nomads move their herds on seasonal basis?

Transhumance.

7 Figure 7 shows the type and number of animals reared by a nomad household. Table 2 shows
the types of food required by the animals.

Table 2
Animals Food required
Camel The branches and
leaves of trees and
shrubs

Goat The leaves of trees

and shrubs

Cattle Grass

28
 Figure 7

What are the advantages for nomads to keep a variety of animal species?
Different animals graze on different types of plants. Keeping a variety of animals can
prevent the complete consumption of any one particular plant species. In addition, the
various animal species can provide nomads with a rich mix of dairy products at different
times.

8 Figure 8 shows the size of herds under different conditions.

a When rainfall is inadequate or when there is b When rainfall is adequate and vegetation
drought condition is favourable

Figure 8

a What can you notice about the size of herds under different conditions?
• When rainfall is inadequate or when there is drought, ____________the size of herd
is small____________________.
• When rainfall is adequate and vegetation condition is favourable, ________the size
of herd is large__________________________.

b What is the advantage of controlling the size of the herd under different conditions?
The thorny plants and rough grasses, which the herd live on, can grow well and the
ecological balance can be maintained.

29
F What has caused environmental degradation in the Sahel?
9 Figure 9 shows variability in rainfall averages from June to October in the Sahel, 1950-2004.

Source: Adapted from JISAO (A

joint institute between the
University of Washington and
the NOAA)
Figure 9
a Describe the rainfall pattern in the Sahel.
Rainfall varies greatly from year to year. It is variable and unreliable.
b Between 1950 and 2004, how many years was rainfall below the long-term mean value?
Thirty years.
c What natural hazard might occur under such a situation?
Drought.
d Complete the flow chart below to show how nature has caused environmental
degradation in the Sahel.

30
Drought Pasture available to
herds ( ↓ / ↑ )

Nomads move in search of

water and pasture

Prolonged ___drought___

Vegetation ( can / cannot ) regenerate.

Pasture and water are used up

Without ______vegetation cover______ and

with low soil moisture, soil ____erosion____
become serious

The land is degraded and gradually

become ____unproductive____

Environmental degradation

Desertification

31
10 Complete Table 3 to show how humans have caused environmental degradation in the Sahel.
Table 3
1 Increase in population

• The Sahel has a ( slow / rapid ) increase in population due to ___high____ birth rates and

____low____ death rates.

• Increase in population will lead to the following practices:

Converting grazing Reducing __fallowing_ Overgrazing

land to farmland ____periods____

Depletion of Depletion of _____Pasture____ is

____soil nutrients____ ____soil nutrients____ consumed faster than it
is able to regenerate

( Increases / Reduces ) pressure on the land

2 Misuse of water resources

Population ( < / > ) carrying capacity of the land
• In order to get taxes from the nomads, the local governments in the Sahel has encouraged

the nomads to become _____sedentary_____ pastoralists.

____Land____ degradation
• Many local governments dig ____boreholes____ to tap water from underground to

____increase____ water supply for Desertification

nomads. This encourages nomads to graze

___more___ animals.

• _____Overgrazing_____ occurs and the land around boreholes is damaged.

• Water table ____drops____ as much of the ground water is used up.

32
 5.4 What are the agricultural characteristics of
irrigation farming in southern California?
A Where is southern California? What is the physical environment of
southern California?
1 Complete Table 1 to show the location and physical environment of southern California.
Table 1

• California is located in the ______south-western______ coast of the USA.

Location

• Southern California is a region extending roughly from ___32___°N to ___38___°N.

Relief and drainage

Physical environment

1 Relief

• Much of the land is ____highland____ of

over 400 metres, which includes the

_______Coast Ranges______ along the

coast and the ______Sierra

Nevada_______ to the east.

• Most of the lowlands are found in the

_____Central Valley_____ and the

_____Imperial Valley____.

33
 Figure 1 The relief and drainage systems in
2 Drainage
California
• Major rivers draining the Central Valley are

the _____Sacramento____ River and the

______San Joaquin_____ River.

• Major river draining the Imperial Valley is

the _____Colorado_____ River

Table 1 (continued)
Climate
Physical environment

Figure 2 The climatic differences within California

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 1 Temperature
• Temperature and evaporation rate _____increases____ towards the south.

2 Rainfall
• Rainfall __decreases__ towards the south and towards the _____inland_____ areas.

• Rainfall in southern California is ____seasonal____ and ____scanty____.

• In most parts of southern California, winter is warm and ____wet____ while summer is hot

and ____dry___. It has a ______Mediterranean______ climate.

• In the southern tip of California, rainfall is scarce because the area is affected by

____offshore____ winds for most of the year. It has a _____subtropical desert_____ climate.

• Rainfall in the coastal area is ___high___ because it receives ___relief___ rain. Rainfall in the

inland areas is ___low___ because it is located in the _____rain shadow_____.

Table 1 (continued)

Complete the flow chart below to show the characteristics of the soil and how it affects plant
growth.
___High___ ___Salts___ beneath ( Favours / Hinders )
evaporation rate the soil are brought to plant growth
Soil and vegetation

the surface

___Little___ vegetation cover

Most soils are ____alkaline____ and

____infertile____ ___Little___ organic matter

B What are the characteristics of the irrigation farming system in

southern California?
2 Figure 3 shows an arable farming system in southern California.

35
 Inputs

Physical Farming processes

Climate: Ploughing, seeding, planting,
Figure •3 Temperature: 12°C–32°C irrigation, pest control,
a • Low annual rainfall: about 200–450 mm
What are the major characteristics of the farming system shown in Figure
fertilizing, 3? Tick () the
harvesting
Alkaline and infertile soil
appropriate answers.
Extensive lowland in the Central Valley and the
Imperial Valley
 Extensive  Labour-intensive
Water supply from the San Joaquin River and the
Intensive
Colorado
 River  Capital-intensive Outputs
Seeds of one or two crops
 Subsistence  Low-technology
Useful outputs: cash crops
such as fruits, vegetables, etc.
 Commercialized and specialized  High-technology
 Arable  Sedentary
 Pastoral Cultural  Non-sedentary
Irrigation water from various water schemes Local and overseas markets
b What can and
Research youtechnology
conclude about the farming system in southern California?
Chemicals, including pesticides and fertilizers
•HighPhysical
capital investment
input:( Favourable / Unfavourable )
Hired and contract labour
Cash
•Government
Culturalaid/policies
input: (High / Low )
Rail or road transport
• Farming processes: ( Simple / Specialized )
• Output: ____Cash____ crop

C What are the farming constraints in southern California?

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 3 Complete Table 2 to show the farming constraints in southern California.
Table 2
How the farming constraint
Farming constraints
affect farming

• ____Low____ and ____unreliable____ rainfall • _Insufficient/Not enough_

• Most rain falls in _____winter_____ water for crop growth

Water • ______Subtropical desert_______ climate in the

shortages southern tip

• Low rainfall in the Central Valley because of the

Physical constraints

_____rain shadow____ effect

• High temperatures  __high__ evaporation rates • Alkaline soil is

 ____salinization____ of soil ( favourable /

Alkaline
• High temperatures with low rainfall make it unfavourable ) for
and
difficult for rocks to ___decompose___ into growing crops
infertile
soils and release ___nutrients___ • Low soil fertility
soil
( increases / reduces )

crop yield

37
 Table 2 (continued)
How the farming constraint
Farming constraints
affect farming

• Relief is ___hilly___ as a whole • Lack of ___arable___ land

Lack of • ( Extensive / Limited ) lowlands are found in the for farming
good area
Physical constraints

quality • The quality of existing flat land is not good

farmland • The presence of ____deserts____ in the south

hinders the expansion of farm areas

• ____Exotic____ pests and diseases affect crops • __Destroys___ crops and

Pests and
and animals in the area causes ___economic
diseases
loss____ to farmers
Inadequate • Few young people are willing to work as • Insufficient/Not enough
constraints
Cultural

farm farmers. farm workers during peak

labour season

D How can farmers overcome the farming constraints in southern

California?
4 Figure 4 shows large-scale irrigation schemes in California. Figure 5 briefly describes the
schemes.

38
 Large-scale water schemes

• Large ____dams____ and

____reservoirs____ are built to

store water

• Water is transported to farms by

__aqueducts___ and __canals__

• Provides irrigation water for a

( small / large ) area

• Water is diverted from the north to

the south, and from the mountain

top of the Sierra Nevada

Figure 4 Figure 5
a Refer to Figure 4 (p. 32), complete the descriptions in Figure 5 (p. 32).
b List THREE advantages of developing large-scale irrigation schemes.
• Provides reliable water source for farmland • Increases crop yield
• Ensures a healthy growth of crops • Increases arable land
• Improves the quality of farm produce • Extend growing season
• More varieties of crops can be grown (Any three)

5 Besides large-scale irrigation schemes, farmers also adopt different irrigation methods. Figure
6 shows the irrigation methods commonly adopted by farmers in southern California.

39
 B Gravity flow system

A Drip irrigation system

Credit: Ed Young/Corbis

Irrigation water is drained into the

furrows and the water flows downslope
due to gravity.

C Sprinkler system

Water drips to the root zone of a crop

from pinholes on small tubes above or
below the ground surface.

Water is spread evenly on the ground

surface by jetting water into the air.

Figure 6

a Name the irrigation methods shown in Figure 6. Fill in the boxes A, B and C.
b Complete Table 3 (p. 34) to show the advantages and disadvantages of the irrigation
methods shown in Figure 6.
Table 3
Advantages Disadvantages
Irrigation
• Enhances efficient use of __water_, • Requires a ___high___ investment
method A
chemical fertilizers and and careful maintenance and

____pesticides____ planning in order to suit the

40
 • Reduces water loss through
environment
____evaporation____ and avoids

____salinization____ of soil

• ( Hinders / Improves ) plant growth,

crop yield and quality

• Minimize the negative impact on the

environment caused by overuse of

____chemicals_____

• Requires a ____small____ amount of • Irrigation water is lost easily due to

Irrigation
method B capital to install the irrigation _____high evaporation rates______

system ___________________

• ( Increases / Reduces ) the area of • Causes _____salinization______ of

Irrigation farmland soil if too much water is irrigated

method C
• Much water is wasted in regions

where evaporation rate is __high__

6 Refer to Figure 7.

Genes
Spider transfer

Genetically-modified
transfer (GM) tomatoes
Genes
Scorpion

Figure 7

a What do we call the farming technology shown in Figure 7?

Biotechnology/Genetic engineering.
b What are the advantages of GM crops? Tick () the appropriate answers.

 Higher resistance against pests  Less suitable for their surroundings

41
  Higher resistance against diseases  Fast growing
 Slow growing  Higher yield

7 a How do farmers in southern California overcome the problem of infertile soil and pest
attack?
They apply fertilizers to tackle the problem of infertile soil and apply pesticides to get
rid of pests.
b List THREE advantages of applying chemicals in farming.
• Improves physical environment for growing crops • Improves crop quality
• Reduces crop failure • Maintains a stable yield
• Improves crop yield (Any three)
8 How do famers in southern California overcome the problem of inadequate farm labour?
• Hiring workers
- Hire workers from ___Mexico____ to do the farm work.

• Mechanization
- Use ____machines____ to replace farm labour. This can also increase farm

____productivity____ and the ____efficiency____ of farm work.

E Do areas with similar natural environments have similar agricultural

characteristics?
9 a Complete Table 4 on p. 64 in your textbook.
b Do the Sahel and southern California have similar natural environments?

Yes, they have similar natural environments such as infertile soil, low and unreliable
rainfall.

c Do the natural environments of the two areas favourable for farming?

No, the natural environments of the two areas are unfavourable for farming.

d Do the two areas have similar agricultural characteristics and outcome?

No, the two areas have different agricultural characteristics and outcome.

42
 e What has caused such differences?
The differences in agricultural characteristics and outcome lie in the difference between

the levels of ____cultural____ inputs. Irrigation farming in southern California has

___high___ cultural inputs. Farmers have ___capital___ and ____technologies____ to

modify the unfavourable natural environment to suit their farming activities and increase

farm outputs.

In contrast, cultural inputs in the Sahel are ___low___. Farmers do not have

_____________capital and technologies to modify the natural environment and result in

low farm outputs________________________________________________________.

F Are cultural factors becoming increasingly dominant over physical

factors in influencing agriculture?
10 a Complete Table 6 on p. 67 in your textbook.
b What can you notice about the levels of cultural inputs in less developed and more
developed regions respectively?
Cultural inputs in less developed regions are low while in more developed regions are
high.
c In which region do you think cultural factors are more dominant than physical factors in
influencing agriculture? Why?
In more developed regions, cultural factors are more dominant than physical factors in
influencing agriculture. This is because even the physical environment is less
favourable, cultural inputs, such as capital and technologies can be used to modify the
natural environment. By doing so, the importance of physical factors in influencing
agriculture is lowered.

43
5.5 To what extent can technology help increase
agricultural production and alleviate food
shortages?
A What are the factors affecting food supply?
1 Boxes a-f below shows the factors affecting food supply.

a Relief, soil b Natural d Farming e Economic

and hazards technologies and development
drainage level of
productivity
c Climate f Wars and
conflicts

Local food production Food imports

______a, b, c, d, e, f______ ________b, e, f________

Physical factors (a, b, c)

Food supply
Cultural factors (d, e, f)

Figure 1

a Which factors affect local food production and food imports? Write the letters in the
space provided in Figure 1. (Hint: some factors affect both local food production and
food imports.)
b Highlight the box in BLUE if it is a physical factor and RED if it is a cultural factor.

Physical factors

2 Briefly explain how the physical factors listed below affect food supply.
• Relief, soil and drainage: ___Rugged___ relief, _infertile/poor_ soil and lack of irrigation

water are not favourable for farming. These farming constraints __reduce__ food supply.

• Climate: _Low/Inadequate_ rainfall hinders the growth of crops and ____reduces____

farm outputs.

• Natural hazards: Natural hazards such as flooding and drought ___damage___ crops and

cause ______crop failure______. This ___reduces___ food supply.

44
Cultural factors

3 Complete Table 1 to show how the cultural factors affect food supply.
Table 1
How the factor affect food supply

• Farmers in less developed regions do not have the ___technological_

Farming technologies ______know-how______ nor ____capital_____ to employ advanced
and level of technologies.
productivity • They usually farm with _____traditional______ farming methods and

the productivity is ____low____.

• Theoretically, uneven distribution of food among countries can be

solved by _____food imports_____.

Economic • However, countries with the greatest need for imported food are
development mostly __poor_ countries. They are unable to pay for imported food.

• ____Poverty____ is the major reason for being not able to secure

adequate food.

• Places with distinct ______social classes______ may have an unequal

Social factors
distribution of food among various classes.

• People of ____low____ social class are less able to obtain food.

• Fields are left ____abandoned____ during wars as farmers leave their

fields and go to a safe place.

• ___Crops___ are destroyed and ____irrigation____ systems and

Wars and conflict ____transport____ are paralysed during wars.

• A large number of people are displaced from their homes as

____refugees____.

• Food supply becomes more scarce and this __increases__ food price.

• ____Distribution____ of food aid to hungry people becomes difficult.

45
 • Government and _______bureaucratic inefficiency______ can add to

food shortages problems.

Political factors
• In countries where ___corruption___ and bribery are common, it is

impossible to ensure the food can go to the needy.

B How does farming function as an agro-ecosystem?

4 a What is an agro-ecosystem?
An agro-ecosystem is a human manipulated, agricultural system comprising of biotic
and abiotic components which are linked by energy flow and nutrient flow.

b Complete Table 2 to show the characteristics of an agro-ecosystem in comparison with a

natural ecosystem.
Table 2

c Compare with the natural ecosystem, the food web and energy flow in an agro-ecosystem
is simple and short. Why?
In an agro-ecosystem, usually one or two crops are grown. In addition, pesticides and

46
 herbicides are used to kill unwanted pests and weeds. This reduces biodiversity and
therefore simplifies the food web and shortens the energy flow.

d How do farmers subsidize energy inputs in an agro-ecosystem?

They subsidize energy inputs by using labour, machines, fertilizers and pesticides.

C What price do we have to pay for using technologies?

5 Figure 2 on p. 40 shows how the misuse and overuse of pesticides threatens the natural
ecosystem.
a Complete Figure 2.

Vicious cycle

Use of pesticides Kill __target__ pests Certain insects are

and other insects killed completely

But
Increases the
Some pest species may Other insect species
become ____resistant____ may suddenly rise in
to pesticides number

____Breakdown____ of food chain Loss of biodiversity

Figure 2

b Rewrite the information shown in Figure 2 in paragraph form.

Pesticides may kill the target pests as well as other insects. When certain insects are
killed completely, other insect species may suddenly rise in numbers. This will lead to
a loss of biodiversity and a breakdown of food chain, threatening the natural
ecosystem.
On the other hand, some pest species may become resistant to pesticides. Farmers
will have to apply more pesticides to kill the target pests and this causes a vicious

47
 cycle.

c Besides threatening the natural ecosystem, misuse and overuse of pesticides also pollutes
the environment and affects human health. Explain.
Residual pesticides will reach the ground water and seriously pollute drinking water
supplies. Residual traces of pesticides on crops can contaminate food products. All
these will cause health problems to humans.

6 Complete Figure 3 to show how farming upset the natural ecosystem.

Clearance of ___natural Loss of ___habitat___

vegetation______ for for wildlife Animals die
farming

Modifies the
____food web____
Upsets the _____natural ecosystem______

Figure 3

7 Figure 4 shows the negative impact caused by the excess use of fertilizers on aquatic
ecosystem.

48
 Figure 4
a Name the phenomenon shown in Figure 4.
Eutrophication.
b Refer to Figure 4, briefly describe how the excess use of fertilizers causes the
phenomenon you mentioned in Question a.
When too many fertilizers are used, the excess fertilizers are washed into rivers.
Fertilizers provide nutrients for water plants and algae in the river. This causes rapid
growth of algae and water plants. The rapid growth of algae and water plants will use
up oxygen in the water. Fish and other aquatic life will die because of lack of oxygen.

8 Complete Figure 5 to show how the use of powerful machines causes soil erosion.

Use of powerful machines to carry out deep ploughing

____Loosens____ topsoil ____Compacts____ topsoil

Accelerates
• Infiltration ( ↑ / ↓ )
• Surface run-off ( ↑ / ↓ )
___Wind___ and ___water___
erosion
Accelerates

Water erosion

____Soil____ erosion is speeded up

Loss of ___topsoil___

• Soil fertility ( ↑ / ↓ )
• Land productivity ( ↑ / ↓ )

49
 Figure 5

9 Figure 6 shows the soil problem found in southern California.

Figure 6
a Name the soil problem shown in Figure 6 (p. 42).
Salinization.
b Where does the soil problem mentioned in Question a commonly found?
It is commonly found in hot and dry areas where evaporation exceeds precipitation.
c How does the soil problem mentioned in Question a occur?
In areas where evaporation is intense, salts in the soil are drawn upwards in solution
through capillary action. When water evaporates, salt is left on the soil surface.
Gradually, salts accumulate to form a crust of salt.

d Describe how the soil problem mentioned in Question a can be worsened by excess use
of water for irrigation.
When excess water are applied to the soil, more salts are dissolved and brought to the
land surface, this worsens salinization.
e How does the soil problem mentioned in Question a affect farming?
Excess salts hinder the growth of crops and lowers crop yield. Land affected by
salinization may become completely unproductive.

10 GM crops are crop plants created for human and animal consumption using biotechnology.
a Some people said that GM crops may help to combat world hunger. Why did they say so?

50
 It is because GM crops are resistant to ___insects___, viruses, diseases and drought, and

tolerant to ___herbicides___. In addition, they give ___higher___ yields and can be

grown in ___less___ favourable physical environment. All these help ___increase___

food production and therefore may help combat world hunger.

b Despite the benefits brought by GM crops, some people protest against GM crops. What
are their arguments? Tick () the appropriate answers.
 It have unknown effect on human health.
 It may cause negative effect on the ecosystem.
 It may contaminate non-GM crops
 It may reduce biodiversity.
 It may affect local food production in less developed countries as farmers have to
depend on more developed countries for GM seeds.

D How can we sustain a balance between the use of technology and

the environment?
11 Figure 7 shows the descriptions of three kinds of sustainable farming methods.

A Farmers plant two or more crops

Multiple consecutively or at the same time
cropping on the same plot of land in a year.

B Farmers use natural methods of pest

Organic control and apply manure to enrich the soil.
farming They do not use chemicals in farming.

Farmers make use of computers and other

C
information technologies to apply inputs
Precision
such as water, fertilizers, etc. precisely.
agriculture

Figure 7

a Name farming methods A, B and C in the space provided in Figure 7.

b Complete Table 3 below to show the advantages of the three farming methods.

51
 Table 3
Advantages

• Enriches ____biodiversity____ of the farm

• ____Increases____ total crop yields as different crops can be grown in different

Farming
seasons
method A
• ____Reduces____ soil erosion

• Maintains soil ____fertility____

• Conserves water and ____soil____

• Causes less harm to the environment as farmers do not use ___chemicals___ in

Farming
farming
method B
• Conserves ____water____ and soil

• Improves the _____efficiency_____ of water, fertilizers and pesticides

Farming
• Helps ____raise____ profits and ____reduces____ environmental damage
method C
• Conserves ____water____ and ____soil____
12 Soil and water conservation is important in sustainable agriculture because they reduce soil
erosion and depletion, and therefore prevent land degradation.
a Which of the following farming methods conserve soil and water? Tick () the
appropriate answers.

Mixed farming  Crop rotation  Cover cropping  Fallowing 

Planting wind shelters  Crop residues on the field  Contour ploughing 

b Briefly explain how the following farming methods conserve soil.

• Crop rotation
Different crops take up different nutrients. By growing different types of crops
in the same field in sequential seasons, depletion of certain nutrients can be avoided
and soils are given time to replenish.

52
 • Fallowing
Fallowing allows the fields to replenish its soil nutrients after years of cropping.

c Besides the farming methods mentioned above. Name ONE method that can conserve
water in farming.
• Irrigate at night • Use treated urban waste water to irrigate the field
• Grow water-efficient crops (Any one)

E What can be done to alleviate food shortages apart from applying

farming technologies?
13 From the example of southern California, we learned that modern farming technology has
successfully increased farm productivity. However, the same tactics may not be applicable to
famine-prone countries to solve the problem of food shortages. Why?
As most of the famine-prone countries are ___less___ developed countries, they are

___poor____ and lack of __money/capital___ to apply modern farming technology. In

addition, farmers are of ____low____ education level and do not have the ____technological

know-how______________________ to employ modern farming technology. Therefore, the

problem of food shortages cannot be solved solely by applying modern farming technology.

In fact, there are numerous causes of food shortages in less developed countries. Among

them, ____poverty____ is the root cause.

14 The basis of solving the food shortage problem is to reduce rural poverty. How can this be
done?
The basis of solving food shortage problem is to reduce rural poverty. This can be done by
carrying out rural development. Rural development involves two aspects: development of non-
agricultural sectors and infrastructure.
• To develop non-agricultural sectors, we can
- set up small-scale industries such as setting up fruit processing factories in fruit
producing areas and diversifying agricultural activities to increase income
- put more inputs such as fertilizers in farming to increase production

53
• To enhance non-agricultural development, it is necessary to develop infrastructure. This
can be done through:
- maintaining a reliable rural electricity supply in rural areas

- improving rural-urban linkages to help transport farm produce to urban markets

- setting up a healthy marketing mechanism for farm produce to stabilize farmer’s

income and for others to obtain food at a reasonable price
- setting up a sound financial support system to let farmers and others have easy
access to loans and credit

54