IGCSE Geography – Food Production

1. What is Food Production?

Food production refers to the growing of crops and the raising of animals for human consumption.

It is a key part of the primary economic sector, which involves extracting natural resources from the Earth.

Examples:

• Growing wheat, rice, and maize
• Raising cattle, sheep, and chickens
• Fishing and aquaculture

Food production is essential for:

• Feeding the world’s population
• Providing employment
• Supporting national economies

2. Agricultural Systems

An agricultural system is the way a farm works.

It can be shown using the Input → Process → Output model.

1. Inputs

These are the resources used in farming.

Examples:

• Seeds
• Fertilisers
• Labour
• Machinery
• Water
• Land
• Capital (money)

2. Processes

These are the activities carried out to grow crops or raise animals.

Examples:

• Ploughing
• Sowing seeds
• Irrigation
• Feeding animals
• Harvesting
• Pest control

3. Outputs

These are the products produced by the farm.

Examples:

• Crops (wheat, maize, rice)
• Animal products (milk, meat, eggs)
• Wool and leather

Some outputs may also include waste products, such as manure.

3. Types of Farming

Farming can be classified in several ways.

A. Subsistence vs Commercial Farming

Subsistence Farming

Definition:
Farming where crops and animals are produced mainly for the farmer and their family.

Features:

• Small farms
• Simple tools
• Low technology
• Low productivity
• Little or no surplus

Common in:

• Rural parts of Africa
• South Asia

Example crops:

• Maize
• Cassava
• Rice

Commercial Farming

Definition:
Farming where crops and animals are produced to sell for profit.

Features:

• Large farms
• Modern machinery
• High productivity
• High investment

Examples:

• Wheat farms in Canada
• Dairy farms in New Zealand

B. Arable, Pastoral and Mixed Farming

Arable Farming

Definition:
Growing crops only.

Examples:

• Wheat
• Rice
• Maize
• Vegetables

Common in:

• Fertile river valleys
• Areas with good soils

Pastoral Farming

Definition:
Raising animals only.

Examples:

• Sheep farming
• Cattle ranching

Common in:

• Grasslands
• Dry regions

Example:
Cattle ranching in Brazil.

Mixed Farming

Definition:
Growing both crops and animals on the same farm.

Benefits:

• Animals provide manure for crops
• Crops provide food for animals
• Reduces risk if one product fails

Common in:

• United Kingdom
• France

C. Intensive and Extensive Farming

Intensive Farming

Definition:
Farming that uses large amounts of labour or capital on a small area of land.

Features:

• High yields
• Small land area
• Heavy use of fertilisers
• Irrigation
• Machinery

Example:
Rice farming in China.

Extensive Farming

Definition:
Farming that uses large areas of land with low inputs.

Features:

• Large farms
• Low population density
• Less labour

Example:
Cattle ranching in Australia.

4. Factors Affecting Agricultural Land Use

Agriculture depends on natural and human inputs.

A. Natural Inputs

These are physical environmental factors.

1. Climate

Important factors:

• Temperature
• Rainfall
• Sunlight
• Growing season

Examples:

• Rice requires warm, wet conditions.
• Wheat grows well in moderate climates.

Extreme weather can damage crops.

Examples:

• Drought
• Floods

2. Soil

Soil fertility affects crop growth.

Good soils:

• Rich in nutrients
• Hold water well

Poor soils:

• Need fertilisers

Example:
Fertile soils in river floodplains.

3. Relief (Land Shape)

Relief refers to the shape and steepness of the land.

Flat land:

• Easier for machinery
• Easier irrigation

Steep slopes:

• Hard to farm
• Risk of soil erosion

Example:
Terracing in Nepal allows farming on slopes.

B. Human Inputs

These are economic and social factors.

1. Capital

Money available for farming.

More capital allows:

• Machinery
• Fertilisers
• Irrigation systems

Developed countries usually have more capital.

2. Labour

The number of workers available.

Example:
Rice farming in Asia requires many workers.

3. Technology

Examples:

• Tractors
• Harvesters
• Irrigation systems
• Genetically modified crops

Technology increases productivity.

4. Government Policies

Governments may:

• Provide subsidies
• Support farmers
• Control food prices

5. Causes of Food Shortages

Food shortages occur when food supply is less than demand.

A. Natural Causes

1. Drought

Long periods without rainfall.

Effects:

• Crops fail
• Livestock die

Example:
Droughts in Ethiopia.

2. Floods

Floods can:

• Destroy crops
• Damage farmland

3. Tropical Storms

Examples:

• Hurricanes
• Cyclones
• Typhoons

They destroy farms and infrastructure.

4. Pests and Disease

Examples:

• Locust swarms
• Crop diseases

These can destroy large areas of crops.

B. Economic Causes

1. Low Capital Investment

Farmers cannot afford:

• Fertilisers
• Machinery
• Irrigation

This leads to low productivity.

2. Poor Transport

Poor roads make it difficult to:

• Deliver food
• Reach markets

Food may spoil before reaching people.

C. Political Causes

1. War and Conflict

Wars:

• Destroy farmland
• Force farmers to leave land
• Disrupt food distribution

Example:
Food shortages during conflicts in Sudan.

6. Effects of Food Shortages

Food shortages have serious consequences.

1. Malnutrition

People do not get enough nutrients.

This can cause:

• Weak immune systems
• Poor growth in children

2. Famine

A severe shortage of food affecting many people.

Example:
The Ethiopian Famine.

3. Economic Problems

Food shortages lead to:

• Higher food prices
• Poverty
• Reduced productivity

7. Solutions to Food Shortages

1. Food Aid

Food provided by other countries or organisations.

Examples:

• Emergency food supplies
• Aid during disasters

Organisations like the World Food Programme often provide food aid.

Problem:
Food aid can create dependency.

2. Improving Farming

Ways to increase food production:

• Irrigation systems
• Better seeds
• Fertilisers
• Training farmers

3. Appropriate Technology

Technology suited to local conditions.

Examples:

• Small irrigation pumps
• Drought-resistant crops

4. Improving Transport

Better roads and storage allow food to reach markets.

5. Land Reform

Redistributing land to farmers so they can produce more food.

8. Case Study 1: Agricultural System

Rice Farming in Vietnam

Inputs

• Monsoon rainfall
• Fertile river soils
• Labour from farming families
• Fertilisers
• Irrigation water

Processes

• Preparing rice paddies
• Planting rice seedlings
• Irrigating fields
• Removing weeds
• Harvesting rice

Outputs

• Rice for food
• Rice for export
• Rice straw

9. Case Study 2: Country with Food Shortages

Food Shortages in Ethiopia

Causes

Natural factors:

• Frequent droughts
• Poor soils

Economic factors:

• Low farming technology
• Poverty

Political factors:

• Conflict in some regions

Effects

• Malnutrition
• Famine
• High death rates
• Reliance on food aid

Solutions

• International food aid
• Improved irrigation
• Better farming techniques
• Development programs

10. Exam Tips

Tip 1

Always define key terms clearly.

Example:
Subsistence farming = farming for family consumption.

Tip 2

Use case studies in long questions.

Include:

• Location
• Causes
• Effects
• Solutions

Tip 3

For 6- or 7-mark questions, include:

• Several developed points
• Examples
• Explanation of cause and effect

11. Key Terms to Remember

Term	Definition
Agricultural system	Farming system with inputs, processes and outputs
Subsistence farming	Farming for personal consumption
Commercial farming	Farming for profit
Arable farming	Growing crops
Pastoral farming	Raising animals
Mixed farming	Crops and animals together
Intensive farming	High inputs on small land
Extensive farming	Low inputs on large land
Food shortage	When food supply is less than demand
Food aid	Food given to countries in need