Unit 5 Guide: Modern Agricultural Practices and Land-Use Models

Green Revolution

The rapid diffusion of new agricultural technology, especially high-yield seeds and fertilizers, from the 1960s to present.

Norman Borlaug

Key figure in the Green Revolution; won the Nobel Peace Prize for his work in wheat research.

High-Yield Varieties (HYVs)

Genetically modified seeds designed to produce more grain per stalk.

Chemical Inputs

Synthetic nitrogen fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides used in large quantities in modern agriculture.

Mechanization

The increased use of machines such as tractors and irrigation systems in farming.

Positive Impacts of the Green Revolution

Increased food production, lower food prices, and self-sufficiency in grain production.

Negative Impacts of the Green Revolution

Environmental damage, social inequality, and gender inequality.

Subsistence Agriculture

Farming primarily for the consumption of the farmer's own family.

Commercial Agriculture

Farming primarily for sale off the farm.

Commodity Chains

The linked processes of gathering resources, manufacturing, and distributing agricultural goods.

Monocropping

Growing a single crop year after year on the same land to maximize efficiency.

Economies of Scale

The reduction in cost per unit as the volume of production increases.

Von Thünen Model

A model explaining the relationship between the cost of land and transport to market.

Bid-Rent Theory

The idea that price and demand for land changes as the distance from the market increases.

Market Gardening and Dairying

The innermost ring of the Von Thünen model, focused on perishable products.

Forestry (Timber/Firewood)

The second ring in the Von Thünen model, requiring proximity to markets due to high transport costs.

Grains and Field Crops

The third ring in the Von Thünen model, focused on non-perishable, light crops.

Ranching and Livestock

The outermost ring in the Von Thünen model, associated with extensive grazing.

Desertification

The degradation of semi-arid land into desert, often due to overgrazing.

Soil Salinization

The accumulation of salts in soil, which can occur with over-irrigation in arid regions.

Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs)

Organisms whose DNA has been modified for specific traits, such as pest resistance.

Organic Farming

Farming without synthetic chemicals, often requiring more land but commanding higher prices.

Fair Trade

A system ensuring fair wages and safe working conditions for producers in developing countries.

Urban Farming

Growing food in urban areas, utilizing rooftops and vacant lots to combat food deserts.

Food Deserts

Areas with limited access to affordable, nutritious food.

Gender Inequality in Agriculture

Legal and cultural barriers preventing women from owning land and accessing resources.