Exercises on Agricultural sciences for Geography first-year students and answers
Here are some exercises based on agricultural sciences for first-year Geography students, along with their
answers.
Exercise 1: Types of Agriculture
Question: Describe and compare the three main types of agriculture practiced worldwide: subsistence
farming, commercial farming, and mixed farming. Highlight key characteristics and geographical locations
where each type is most commonly practiced.
Answer:
Subsistence Farming:
Definition: Farming primarily for self-consumption with little surplus for sale.
Key Characteristics: Small landholdings, traditional methods, low productivity, low use of technology.
Geographical Locations: Common in developing countries like Sub-Saharan Africa, parts of South Asia
(e.g., India), and Southeast Asia.
Commercial Farming:
Definition: Large-scale farming aimed at producing crops or livestock for sale in markets.
Key Characteristics: Large farms, high input of capital and technology, high productivity, monoculture.
Geographical Locations: Common in developed countries like the United States, Brazil, Argentina, and
Australia.
Mixed Farming:
Definition: Farming that combines the growing of crops with livestock rearing, with both activities
complementing each other.
Key Characteristics: Diverse production system, integration of crop and animal husbandry, use of
modern technology.
Geographical Locations: Common in Europe (e.g., France, Germany), parts of North America, and
India.
Exercise 2: The Green Revolution
Question: Explain the concept of the Green Revolution, its major achievements, and its impact on
agricultural productivity and the environment.
Answer:
Concept: The Green Revolution refers to the set of research, development, and technology transfer
initiatives that began in the 1940s and increased agricultural production worldwide, particularly in
developing countries.
Major Achievements:
Development of high-yielding variety (HYV) seeds for staple crops like wheat and rice.
Expansion of irrigation infrastructure.
Increased use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides.
Mechanization of farming (e.g., tractors, harvesters).
Impact on Agricultural Productivity:
Significant increase in crop yields, especially in Asia (India, Pakistan) and Latin America.
Reduction in food scarcity and hunger in many regions.
Impact on the Environment:
Overuse of chemical fertilizers and pesticides led to soil degradation, water pollution, and loss of
biodiversity.
Increased dependence on water resources for irrigation, exacerbating water scarcity.
Exercise 3: Impact of Climate on Agriculture
Question: Discuss how climate affects agricultural productivity. Use examples to illustrate the impact of
different climatic factors on crop production.
Answer:
Temperature: Crops such as wheat require moderate temperatures, whereas rice thrives in warmer, tropical
climates. Extreme temperatures can lead to crop failure.
Example: In regions like the Canadian Prairies, low temperatures limit the growing season for crops like
maize.
Precipitation: Crops like maize and rice need abundant rainfall, while drought-resistant crops such as
millet can survive with less water.
Example: The Sahel region in Africa faces droughts, severely affecting food security due to poor
rainfall.
Humidity: High humidity levels can encourage the growth of plant diseases, while low humidity can stress
crops by causing water loss.
Example: In tropical regions, the high humidity is conducive to the spread of fungal diseases in crops
like bananas.
Wind: Strong winds can damage crops by physically breaking plants or drying out soil, affecting crop
health.
Example: Wheat fields in the Great Plains of the United States can suffer from wind erosion and
reduced yields.
Frost: Early or late frosts can damage tender crops such as fruits, reducing harvest yields.
Example: In the Mediterranean region, late spring frosts can impact crops like grapes and olives.
Exercise 4: Agricultural Land Use
Question: What are the major factors that influence agricultural land use in different regions of the world?
Answer:
Climate: Regions with temperate climates tend to focus on grain production (e.g., North America, Europe),
while tropical climates support crops like rice and sugarcane (e.g., Southeast Asia, Brazil).
Soil Fertility: Fertile soils, such as those in river basins (e.g., the Nile Delta, the Ganges Plain), are often
used for intensive farming, while poorer soils may require extensive farming or pastoralism.
Technological Advancements: In areas with access to modern farming equipment and techniques, intensive
farming is common, leading to higher productivity (e.g., North America, Australia).
Market Demand and Globalization: In some regions, crops are grown primarily for export based on global
market demand, such as coffee in Brazil or cotton in West Africa.
Cultural Practices: Certain crops may be favored due to cultural or dietary preferences, such as rice in East
Asia and wheat in Europe.
Exercise 5: Agricultural Challenges
Question: Identify and explain the key challenges facing global agriculture in the 21st century.
Answer:
Climate Change: Changes in temperature and precipitation patterns can negatively affect crop yields,
leading to food insecurity.
Water Scarcity: Agriculture is the largest consumer of freshwater, and with increasing water shortages in
many regions, farming practices must adapt to conserve water.
Soil Degradation: Overuse of chemical fertilizers, monoculture, and deforestation have contributed to soil
erosion and loss of fertility, reducing land productivity.
Pests and Diseases: Climate change and globalization have led to an increase in the spread of pests and
diseases, impacting crop yields.
Population Growth: The increasing global population places greater demand on agricultural systems to
provide enough food, which may strain available resources.
Land Degradation: Urbanization and industrialization result in the loss of arable land, reducing the area
available for agriculture.
These exercises cover a variety of topics within agricultural sciences that are crucial for first-year Geography
students to understand.
