Summary
Food production systems involve different farming types, modern methods, and understanding farming as a system.
- Subsistence Farming — Small-scale farming for family consumption with little surplus.
Example: Rice farming in Southeast Asia. - Commercial Farming — Large-scale farming for profit with specialized crops.
Example: Wheat farms in Canada. - Arable Farming — Cultivation of crops on ploughed land.
Example: Wheat farming in East Anglia, UK. - Pastoral Farming — Rearing of livestock for animal products.
Example: Cattle ranches in the Australian Outback. - Mixed Farming — Combination of arable and pastoral farming on the same farm.
Example: Dairy cattle with cereals in the Midwest USA. - Aeroponics — Growing plants in air with misted nutrient solution.
Example: Urban vertical farms. - Aquaponics — Combined fish farming with plants using fish waste as fertilizer.
Example: Backyard Aquaponics in Australia. - Hydroponics — Growing plants in water enriched with nutrients.
Example: Urban farms in Singapore. - Farming System — A system with inputs, processes, and outputs.
Example: A dairy farm outputs milk and uses manure as fertilizer.
Exam Tips
Key Definitions to Remember
- Subsistence Farming
- Commercial Farming
- Arable Farming
- Pastoral Farming
- Mixed Farming
- Aeroponics
- Aquaponics
- Hydroponics
Common Confusions
- Confusing subsistence with commercial farming due to scale and purpose differences
- Misunderstanding the differences between aeroponics, aquaponics, and hydroponics
Typical Exam Questions
- What is mixed farming?
Mixed farming involves both crop cultivation and livestock rearing on the same farm. - What are two advantages of hydroponic farming?
Hydroponic farming uses less water and allows year-round production. - Describe the inputs, processes, and outputs of a commercial wheat farm.
Inputs include fertile soil and machinery; processes involve planting and harvesting; outputs are wheat and income.
What Examiners Usually Test
- Differences between subsistence and commercial farming
- Characteristics and advantages of modern farming methods
- Understanding farming as a system with interconnected components