CHAPTER 2 : TRANSFORMATION OF AGRICULTURE

Evolution of Agriculture :

-Pre-historic

-Middle ages

-Modern Agriculture

Religion in Agriculture

Green revolution

Blue revolution

Modernization of Agriculture

Characterization of Modern Agriculture

Enactments & Schemes in Agriculture

WHAT IS AGRICULTURAL TRANSFORMATION?

Ø  The process by which individual farms shift from highly diversified, subsistence-oriented production towards more specialized production oriented towards the market or other systems of exchange (e.g., long-term contracts).

Ø  Necessary part of the broader process of structural transformation, in which an increasing proportion of economic output and employment are generated by sectors other than agriculture.

                         

Evolution of Agriculture

      Agricultural practices such as irrigation, crop rotation, application of fertilizers and pesticides, and the domestication of livestock were developed long ago.

      The history of agriculture has played a major role in human history, as agricultural progress has been a crucial factor in worldwide socio-economic change.

      Division of labour in agricultural societies made commonplace specializations rarely seen in hunter-gatherer cultures, which allowed the growth of towns and cities, and the complex societies we call civilizations.

Modern development

      The agricultural changes, along with industrialization and migration, allowed the population of Britain, as well as other countries who followed its model, such as the US, Germany and Belgium, to escape from the Malthusian trap and increase both their population and their standard of living.

      Started 1950s

      Yield per land unit has increase

      Rapid rise in mechanization

      High quality & quantity

      Scientific research

      Technology

Modern vs Traditional Agriculture

Traditional Agriculture

1. The food production = art and craft

2. Knowledge and skills are handed orally from one generation to the next

3. Food = survival for the community

4. No machinery. Human labour& animals

5. Labouris intensive

Modern Agriculture

1. To obtain highest yields possible

2. To get the highest economic profit possible

3. Intensive and mass production

4. Extensive use of machinery and electronics (land preparation => harvesting)

5. Extensive use of chemicals (Fertilizers & pest control)

6. Widespread use of clones, hybrids and selected high yielding varieties

Religion in Agriculture

ISLAM:

Surah An Nahl: importance of bees .

Surah Al Baqarah: God creates rain for plants to live-produce fruits for mankind

Surah Luqman: animals and plants

CHRISTIAN:

Agriculture activities should not the destroy environment

Christian stewardship model

Genesis II; Luke 12; 16)

The Christian steward of nature first recognizes the nature, like everything else in heaven    

and earth, was created by God, belongs to God, and is valued by God for itself.

GREEN REVOLUTION

What is Green Revolution ?

-New varieties of plants produced through series 0f R&D and technology transfer initiatives

-Significant increase in agriculture activity through R&D and technology transfer initiatives

Need for Green Revolution?

Fertile Land.

Ø  Fertile land decrease

Labour and Mechanisation.

Ø  M’sa labour reduced, youth not interested, import labour/food

Ø  need to reduce deficit in our balance of trade

Population Increase.

Ø  Malaysia has 28.3 million (2010), world’s population 6.96 billion (2011).

Ø  World population expected to be 7.5-10.5 billion by 2050

Advantages:

Pest and disease free seedlings.

Uniform growth, increases yield.

Early maturity of crop

Round the year planting

New varieties can be introduced and multiplied in a short duration.

BLUE REVOLUTION

What is Blue Revolution ?

-Management of water resources for drinking and food security .

Need of Agriculture Modernization ?

Fertile Land

Ø  Fertile land decrease

Labour and Mechanization

Ø  Reduced labour, youth not interested, import labour/food

Ø  Need to reduce deficit in our balance of trade

Population Increase

Ø  Malaysia has 28.3 million (2010), world’s population 7.0 billion (2012)

Ø  World population expected to be 7.5-10.5 billion by 2050

Ø  This requires increase in world food supply

Agricultural Enactments and Schemes.

Encourages good practices to ensure competitiveness in the global market

Examples:

Good Agricultural Practice (GAP)

Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP)

Malaysian Organic Scheme (SOM)

Malaysian Good Farm Practice Scheme (SALM)

Agricultural Enactments and Schemes