How Do We Produce Food?

What are agricultural ecosystems?

• Complex systems of climate, plants, local animals, soil nutrients and microbiome, and what's being grown.

• Large-scale farms that primarily export food around the world.

• Farming methods that involve growing only one type of crop on a plot of land.

• Systems where humans grow just enough food for themselves or their immediate community.

Which characteristic best describes small-scale agriculture?

• It involves growing just enough food for oneself or a small community.

• It operates on a large scale, with most food produced for export.

• It has space to grow enough food for the family and community, and to trade or sell locally.

• It relies heavily on commercially developed seeds and synthetic chemicals.

What is a key benefit of a polyculture system, such as the rice and fish/duck system?

• It allows for the efficient harvesting of a single, dominant crop.

• It requires a high input of synthetic fertilizers and herbicides.

• It provides a steady rotation of crops to harvest and better mirrors the complexity of the surrounding ecosystem.

• It is primarily focused on producing food for export to other countries.

What is the primary difference between an intensive subsistence system and an extensive subsistence system?

• Intensive systems use a lot of land with little labor, while extensive systems use little land with a lot of labor.

• Intensive systems require a large amount of labor on a small amount of land, while extensive systems use a lot of land but not as much labor per hectare.

• Intensive systems focus on exporting food, while extensive systems focus on local consumption.

• Intensive systems rely on polyculture, while extensive systems rely on monoculture.

What significant change did Spanish colonization bring to agriculture in the Philippines during the 16th century?

• Introduction of new irrigation techniques.

• Shift from subsistence farming to commercial plantations.

• Establishment of farmer cooperatives.

• Promotion of diverse crop cultivation for local consumption.

What is a primary characteristic of economies of scale in food production?

• Increased cost per unit with higher output.

• Cost savings due to large-scale production operations.

• Greater competition for small local producers.

• Reduced need for advanced equipment and labor.

How do large agribusinesses like Dole benefit from small farms in the Philippines?

• By selling them equipment

• By contracting with them

• By providing free education

• By purchasing them outright

Which method is mentioned as a traditional way to conserve soil?

• Fertilizers

• Windbreaks

• Pesticides

• Heavy machinery

What percentage of the Earth's drinkable freshwater is used for food production?

• 10-20%

• 30-40%

• 50-60%

• 70-80%

Which of the following best describes agroecology?

• Large-scale industrial farming focused on export.

• Agriculture ecosystems rooted in local knowledge, justice, and ecological diversity.

• Farming practices that rely heavily on chemical fertilizers and pesticides.

• A system where land ownership is concentrated among a few large corporations.