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Subject Agricultural Science

Teacher: Sven Anthony
Class: 4th & 5th Form
Learning Objectives/ Outcome
Students are thought and gasp knowledge on and:
 Explanation of what is meant by 'non-conventional' farming systems
 Monoculture
 Traditional Farming methods

Week 8/ Module 8
Content
1.1 Modern Farming Methods
Conventional Farming
By conventional farming methods we mean modem farming methods, which are designed
to produce large quantities of food to be sold for profit. Farming is now a large-scale
industry and relies on the use of machinery and chemicals. Few people are required to
operate the machinery, which prepares the land, sows the seeds and harvests the crops.
This trend in farming has occurred in response to increasing populations and the demand
for cheaper food.

Monoculture
Monoculture, where large areas of land are planted with the same crop year after year, is a
feature of modem farming. It often leads to greater farm profits as a much greater quantity of
a crop can be grown. However, monoculture also leads to loss of natural ecosystems and
habitats. Modem farming relies on artificial fertilizers to improve soil fertility and increase
crop yields. Diseases are prevented by pesticides; weeds are destroyed by herbicides and
chemicals are fed to animals to promote growth. However, there is now concern that modem
agricultural practices damage the environment and soil structure, reduce biodiversity and
introduce health hazards to both humans and animals.
1.2 Traditional Farming Methods
In contrast to modern fanning, traditional methods of agriculture cause less damage to
the environment. An example of traditional fanning is small-scale mixed farming, where
there is recycling of waste materials. The waste from animals is used as manure, so
nutrients are returned to the soil via the carbon and nitrogen cycles . By growing a wide
range of crops and using crop rotation, both soil structure and fertility can be maintained.
Traditional farming methods are more sustainable than modem methods.
Non- Conventional Farming Systems
Non-conventional farming systems have developed in response to concerns about the
effects of intensive systems on the environment and the quality of food produced. Most
non-conventional systems are labor-intensive (they employ more people than
conventional systems). Also, yields are lower than in conventional systems. However, the
food produced by non-conventional farming is likely to be of better quality and so
command a higher market price.

Organic Farming
Organic farming is a form of non-conventional agriculture that excludes, or strictly limits,
the use of artificial fertilizers, herbicides and pesticides, plant growth regulators and
animal feed additives. Biological pest control is used instead to get rid of pests. Compost,
green manure and crop rotation are used to maintain soil fertility. Techniques may vary
from country to country, but the principles and practices were set out in a document
produced by the International Federation of Organic Agricultural Movements (IFOAM).
In 2005, this organization created the Principles of Organic Agriculture as guidelines for
the certification of organic farms

Principles of organic farming

The list below shows what organic farmers are aiming to achieve.
•Produce good food that has a high nutritional value.
•Maintain and improve soil fertility.
•Use renewable resources wherever possible.
•Protect wildlife habitats.
•Avoid pollution from agricultural techniques
.•Encourage a diversity of wildlife on the farm.
•Raise livestock in conditions which allow them to carry out innate(natural) behavior.

Organic farmers need to develop a fertile soil on which they grow a mixture of crops.
They cannot use artificial fertilizers and use of pesticides is restricted. They rear animals
in a humane way, without routine use of the hormones and antibiotics that are common in
intensive livestock production. They are not allowed to grow genetically modified crops.
Lesson Summary
 Conventional farming methods we mean modem farming methods, which are
designed to produce large quantities of food to be sold for profit.
 Monoculture, where large areas of land are planted with the same crop year after year,
is a feature of modem farming.
 Traditional methods of agriculture cause less damage to the environment.
 Non-conventional farming systems have developed in response to concerns about the
effects of intensive systems on the environment and the quality of food produced.
 Organic farming is a form of non-conventional agriculture that excludes, or strictly
limits, the use of artificial fertilizers, herbicides and pesticides, plant growth
regulators and animal feed additives.
 References
Agricultural Science for CSEC Examinations by Ronald Ramharacksingh