about environmental biology

Conventional Farming and Organic Cultivation

Conventional farming was a major agricultural method that involved the use of various agricultural techniques in the midst of a ravaging drought in order to increase high food production capable of feeding the increasing population. Organic cultivation was commonly used to grow crops in the 1970s; it mostly involved the use of pesticides and herbicides to shield crops from pest inversions. The scheme also included the use of genetically modified organisms for high production.

The Decline of Conventional Farming

The traditional farming method became unprofitable in the 1970s and 1980s due to increases in the prices of systems and materials needed for good farming. In most cases, there was an increase in prices of the pesticides and herbicides, and most of the research on the genetically modified foods became too expensive.

Impacts of Increased Farming Activities

The “Get Big” or “Get Out” principles increased the farming activities and this increases the prices of farm products in the agricultural markets; farmers could no longer purchase farm products or use conventional systems of farming, this greatly lowered the profits. The increased farming activities greatly reduced the fertility in different farms, a situation that led to low crop production.

Differences in Fertilizer Use

In conventional farming, farmers apply artificial chemicals like the synthetic fertilizers to enhance the growth of crops which in most cases destroys the fertility of the farm when used consistently. On the other hand, organic farming involves the use of organic fertilizers like the compose manure to enhance the growth of crops.

Community Supported Agriculture (CSA)

The Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) is a system whereby people buy the agricultural produce from the local agricultural farmers to enhance the sale of farm products. The system enabled John to find a readily available market for the fresh farm produce, a situation that enabled him to stay in business.

Challenges for Local Farmers

The introduction of the whole food led to the introduction of the cheaper food products, a situation that greatly undermined the sale of the locally produced food products. The above situation interfered with the Community Supported Agriculture and the subsistence organic farming.