Agricultural Systems

Question 1

Are farms an open or closed system?

Answer 1

Open.

Question 2

What is commercial farming?

Answer 2

The majority of produce is sold and revenue is reinvested into the farm, alongside providing a wage for workers.

Question 3

What is subsistence farming?

Answer 3

The majority of produce is consumed by the farmworkers, though little surplus may be sold and revenues used to reinvest into the farm.

Question 4

What are the two types of intensive farming?

Answer 4

Capital intensive.
Labour intensive.

Question 5

What is capital intensive farming?

Answer 5

Money is invested into soil improvement, machinery, buildings, pest control, high quality seeds/animals. Few employees and therefore output is higher per hectare and per worker.

Question 6

What is labour intensive farming?

Answer 6

When the number of farm workers is high and there is a high output per hectare but low output per worker.

Question 7

How is agricultural productivity most commonly measured?

Answer 7

In terms of yield.
e.g kilograms of grain per hectare
litres of milk per cow.

Question 8

What is the most commonly used measurement of agricultural productivity?

Answer 8

Through total factor productivity.

Question 9

What is Total Factor Productivity?

Answer 9

The ratio of agricultural outputs to inputs.

Question 10

What is another name for the TFP?

Answer 10

Energy efficiency ratio?

Question 11

How does TFP improve with crops?

Answer 11

• Higher yields, disease resistant and drought or flood tolerant crop varieties.
• More efficient and timely cultivation and harvesting practices.
• Using technologies that indicate precisely when and how much water and fertiliser to apply.

Question 12

How does TFP improve with raising livestock?

Answer 12

• Breeding animals for favourable genetic qualities and behaviour.
• Using better animal care and disease management practices.
• Adoption of high quality feeds contribute to greater productivity.