ENV - I'm Hungry! Changes to Agriculture Over Time [LESSON]

I'm Hungry! Changes to Agriculture Over Time

By the end of this lesson, you will be able to understand how agricultural techniques and technology have evolved over time, including the reasons behind these changes.

Guide Point 🧭

I'm Hungry! Changes to Agriculture Over Time

The Basics

Ariel view of a combine harvester machine working in field of wheat.

When you hear the term “agriculture” you might imagine something like that photo. However, over the years the process of agriculture has changed significantly. Let’s start with some basics. First, agriculture is the cornerstone of modern humanity. Over many years it has shaped civilizations and landscapes alike. In ancient times, when our ancestors first tilled the soil, they practiced subsistence farming, cultivating crops to feed themselves and their communities. These early agriculturalists employed rudimentary techniques such as hand planting and basic irrigation systems to lure food from the land. As techniques improved, human societies transitioned from nomadic to settled lifestyles where agricultural communities flourished. Growing more food than was needed for subsistence allowed people to use their time for other ventures, leading to the development of the complex societies we live in today. It’s literally why you’re reading this right now instead of helping your family grow enough food to survive. Let’s get into the details.

Early Agricultural Techniques

The dawn of agriculture marked a pivotal shift in human history, as communities transitioned from hunting and gathering to cultivating crops. Early farmers utilized simple yet innovative techniques to nurture their fields, including hand tools for planting and harvesting. In regions with scarce rainfall, early civilizations engineered intricate irrigation systems. These early agricultural practices not only provided sustenance but also fostered the growth of communities and the emergence of early civilizations.

Early Irrigation

Mardin, Turkiye - The water cistern in the ancient city of Dara in Nusaybin is a tourist attraction.

Here is an example of an early system of irrigation. This is the water cistern in the ancient Turkish city of Dara. It was built to catch and store rainwater to use to water crops.

Today, it is a tourist attraction. People want to learn about the early advancements in agricultural technology that allowed for greater food production.

Crop Rotation

Additionally, farmers practiced crop rotation, a method where different crops are planted in a sequence over time on the same piece of land. This technique helped replenish soil fertility and reduce the depletion of nutrients, promoting sustainable agricultural practices.

By rotating crops, farmers could optimize soil health, minimize pest and disease buildup, and improve overall crop yields. Crop rotation was a fundamental aspect of early agricultural systems, contributing to the success and resilience of ancient farming communities.

Technological Advancements in Agriculture

When we think of “technology” today, we think of the latest iPhone. However, the definition of technology is the application of knowledge to achieve practical goals. The advent of agricultural technology revolutionized the way humans cultivated the land.

🚜 Plow (click to reveal)

Plow One of the most significant innovations was the plow, which allowed farmers to till larger swathes of land efficiently. The applied knowledge here was to use a shaped tool to till the land, especially in rows, to be able to plant seeds. Do you ever wonder why crops are planted in rows?

Mostly, it is to increase proficiency. It is easier to distinguish which plants farmers want from the ones they don’t want that are stealing nutrients, water, and sunlight from those they do want. The plow helped this process. Initially land was plowed by hand, but with the introduction of animal power, such as oxen and horses, farmers could harness greater energy for agricultural tasks, further increasing productivity.

💦 Water Cistern (click to reveal)

Advancements from water cisterns included the famous Roman aqueducts, like this one in Tomar, Portugal, which at one time was a part of the Roman Empire. Do you see that “ditch” shape on top? How do you think that was used? These aqueducts' purpose was to move water from where it was to where farmers wanted it to be. That is the essence of irrigation.

🎡 Water Wheel (click to reveal)

Other advancements in irrigation technology happened in other parts of the world, like China. Here is a Chinese water wheel in the Hebei Province of China. Water wheels like this one facilitated the efficient distribution of water, enabling farmers to irrigate their fields and boost crop yields.

Do you see those "cups” on the wheel? How do you think those were used? As the flowing water of a river moved, the water wheel moved with it. The “cups” collected water as they dipped into the river. When they came out, they diverted the water, usually to a human-made canal to move the water to where farmers wanted it to be.

Agricultural Revolutions

When you hear the word “revolution” you might think of a war, like the Revolutionary War in America for example. However, the term revolution in its simplest form means a meaningful change. Each of these significant changes, through innovation and technology, revolutionized agriculture in its own way. However, the 20th century witnessed transformative agricultural revolutions that forever altered the course of food production. The Green Revolution, as it was called, initiated in the mid-20th century, introduced major changes to agricultural production.

Selective Breeding

During the Green Revolution, high-yield crop varieties were developed through selective breeding and genetic manipulation. These varieties were characterized by their ability to produce significantly higher yields per unit of land compared to traditional crop varieties.

High-yield crops, such as high-yield rice and wheat varieties, played a crucial role in increasing global food production, alleviating hunger, and boosting agricultural productivity.

Synthetic Fertilizers

Tractor and fertilizer spreader in field.

Synthetic fertilizers are chemical-based substances containing essential nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, vital for plant growth. These fertilizers are manufactured industrially and are designed to supplement soil fertility and enhance crop yields.

Widely used during the Green Revolution, synthetic fertilizers played a key role in boosting agricultural productivity by providing plants with readily available nutrients, thereby improving crop growth and overall yields. However, their widespread use has also raised concerns about environmental pollution and soil degradation due to nutrient runoff and chemical imbalances in the soil.

Pesticides

Pesticides are chemical substances used to control pests, including insects, weeds, and plant diseases, that can damage crops and reduce yields. These chemicals are applied to agricultural fields to protect plants from pests and ensure optimal growth and productivity.

While pesticides have been instrumental in safeguarding crops and increasing agricultural productivity, their use has raised environmental and health concerns due to potential toxicity to non-target organisms and ecosystem disruptions. Balancing the benefits of pest control with the potential risks associated with pesticide use remains a critical challenge in modern agriculture.

The Green Revolution heralded unprecedented increases in agricultural productivity. These innovations helped alleviate hunger and malnutrition in many parts of the world, fueling population growth and economic development. Furthermore, the advent of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in the late 20th century revolutionized agriculture by endowing crops with traits such as resistance to pests, diseases, and environmental stresses, enhancing yield potential and crop resilience even further.

Environmental & Social Impacts

While modern agricultural practices have yielded remarkable gains in food production, they have also caused significant environmental and social problems. Intensive farming methods, such as farming exclusively one crop and excessive fertilizer use, have led to soil degradation, erosion, and nutrient runoff, threatening the long-term sustainability of agricultural systems. Moreover, the widespread adoption of GMO crops has raised concerns about genetic biodiversity loss and the potential for unintended ecological consequences. Socially, industrial agriculture has reshaped rural landscapes, leading to the consolidation of small farms into large agribusinesses and altering traditional land use patterns and community dynamics.

To learn more about some of the topics in this lesson watch the following video:

Technologies Timeline | Practice Activity

Which technology was invented first!? Put the technologies on the sequence timeline in order below.

Reflection

The evolution of agriculture is a testament to human ingenuity and adaptability, as we have continuously devised innovative solutions to feed exponentially growing populations worldwide. From the humble beginnings of subsistence farming to the technological marvels of modern agriculture, our journey has been marked by both progress and challenges. As we navigate the complexities of agricultural sustainability in the 21st century, it is imperative to recognize the interconnectedness of agricultural systems with the environment and society, and strive towards practices that promote resilience, biodiversity, and equitable access to food resources for present and future generations.

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