Agricultural Regions in LDCsKey issues 2 and 4

Physical Geography …for a moment

Tropics, Mid-latitude, High-latitude regionsHigh Latitudes

High Latitudes

Middle latitudes

Middle latitudes

Low latitudes

Polar Regions

Polar Regions

Temperate Zones

Temperate Zones

Tropics

Four Main RegionsShifting cultivation

Humid, low-latitude, high temp and rainfallPastoral Nomadism

Dry climates where crops are imposibleIntensive Subsitence Agriculture

Densely populated areas – particularly AsiaPlantation Farming

Tropics and subtropicsSpecifically Latin America, Africa and Asia

Percent of Labor Force Engaged in Agriculture

Farmland Per Tractor

Now Compare

Challenges for Subsistence Farmers

What is the birth rate like in LDCs? Farmers need to consider new farming approaches “Population growth influences the distribution of

types of subsistence farming” –ESTER BOSERUP

How? New farming methods Land left fallow for shorter periods Boserups’s five stages to the intensification of

farmland – p. 334

Challenges for Subsistence Farmers

The International Trade Model of Development (ch. 9)“A country can develop economically by concentrating

scarce resources on expansion of its distinctive local industries.”

Countries should focus on what they can produce for a higher quality and less price than any other country

Funds made by this can help the country develop in other ways

In order to do this, LDCs need to use better everythingSell crops and other stuff to MDCs

Challenges for Subsistence Farmers

Drug CropsParticularly Latin America and AsiaThey aren’t selling DRUGS, they are selling crops

that can be turned INTO drugs Cocaine and Heroine

Afghanistan produces about 80% of the world’s opium

Columbia grows half of the world’s coca leafMost marijuana in the U.S. comes from Mexico

Agricultural Regions in MDCs

Key Issues 3 and 4

Six Main Regions Mixed Crop and Livestock Farming

U.S. Corn

Dairy Farming Farms near large urban areas of NE U.S., SE Canada and Northern

Europe Grain Farming

Wheat Livestock Ranching Mediterranean Agriculture Commercial Gardening and Fruit Farming

Corn Production

Milk Production

Wheat Production

Meat Production

Challenges for Commercial Farmers

Lets talk about supply and demand!

Challenges for Commercial Farmers

Access to markets Overproduction

This is where subsidies come in, but we will talk more about this later

Sustainable Agriculture An agricultural practice that preserves and enhances

environmental quality Lower revenue but lower costs Organic farming Three principles:

Sensitive land management Limited use of chemicals Better integration of crops and livestock