New Century Geography Section B Core module 1 Food Problem —
Revision Notes Can we feed ourselves?
(2nd Edition)
Section B Core module 1
Food Problem — Can we feed ourselves?
Chapter 3 Can we solve the farming problems in China by making use of
scientific farming methods?
What are scientific farming methods?
They refer to the use of scientific technology and machinery to overcome
environmental constraints and raise productivity in the process of farming.
What scientific methods are used in China to raise farm production?
Use of farm machinery: Using different types of
machinery, e.g., planters and tractors, to replace
manpower and animal force in doing various physical
tasks
Use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides: Using
chemical fertilisers to replenish soil nutrients; using
pesticides to reduce pests
Scientific farming
methods Use of biotechnology: Crossbreeding crops to cultivate
new breeds in order to increase productivity; making
use of genetic modification technology to improve the
genes of various species. This can strengthen their
resistance to pests and make them become able to
adapt to adverse growing conditions
Setting up irrigation systems and greenhouses: To
provide favourable growing conditions for crops, to
reduce the risk of crop failure and to reclaim more arable
land
1. Use of farm machinery
Using farm machinery can increase farm efficiency.
Other examples of farm machinery are transplanter, harvester, excavator, scraper
and lawnmower.
2. Use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides
Chemical fertilisers can raise soil fertility and crop yield.
Pesticides can lower the risk of crop failure and stabilise farm production.
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New Century Geography Section B Core module 1 Food Problem —
Revision Notes Can we feed ourselves?
(2nd Edition)
3. Use of biotechnology
Hybrid rice is an example of crossbred breeds. The number of grains in hybrid
rice is 20% more than that of traditional rice.
Examples of genetically modified food crops are soybean, corn, tomato, potato
and rapeseed.
4. Setting up irrigation systems and greenhouses
To provide favourable growing conditions for crops and to reduce the risk of
crop failure.
To help reclaim more arable land from the land which is originally not suitable
for farming.
What are the limitations of using scientific farming methods?
Insufficient capital: Farmers in China are generally poor.
They lack capital to introduce farming technologies
Limitations of
Fragmented farmland: Small and fragmented farmlands
scientific farming
hinder the use of large farm machinery
methods
Low educational level of farmers: It is difficult for farmers to
learn scientific farming methods
1. Insufficient capital
Farmers cannot afford to buy farm machinery, use better seeds, set up irrigation
systems and build greenhouses.
2. Fragmented farmland
Farmers can only rely on manpower or use small machinery in small farmlands,
and therefore they can hardly increase farm efficiency.
3. Low educational level of farmers
Most of the farmers are unaware of farming technologies, including setting up
irrigation systems, building greenhouses and using farm machinery.
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New Century Geography Section B Core module 1 Food Problem —
Revision Notes Can we feed ourselves?
(2nd Edition)
What are the negative impacts of using scientific farming methods?
Environmental pollution: Overuse of farming
chemicals will lead to air pollution, soil pollution and
eutrophication
Damage to ecosystem: Pesticides kill beneficial
insects while pests may develop resistance to
pesticides gradually. If animals consume crops with
residue of pesticides, they may get sick or die,
Negative impacts
disrupting the ecosystem
brought about by
scientific farming
methods Soil degradation: Farm machinery compacts soil and
intensifies soil erosion. Over-irrigation in semi-arid
regions can cause soil salinisation that is
unfavourable for crop growth
Genetic pollution: When genetically modified crops
are grown in the natural environment, they may
crossbreed with the plants nearby. This will cause
genetic pollution and affect the ecosystem
1. Environmental pollution
When pesticides are sprayed, they will volatilise into the air, leading to air
pollution.
Residue of pesticides will accumulate in soil, causing soil pollution.
Accumulation of chemical fertilisers in water bodies will lead to eutrophication.
Algae grow rapidly and decomposition of algae’s dead bodies by
microorganisms exhausts much oxygen in the water, killing many aquatic
organisms.
2. Damage to ecosystem
When pesticides are washed into rivers by irrigation water, fish get sick or even
die.
If people consume vegetables with excessive pesticides, they may suffer from
poisoning and increased risk of cancer, or even die.
3. Soil degradation
Soil salinisation is serious in North China.
4. Genetic pollution
Genetically modified crops carry genes of other species.
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New Century Geography Section B Core module 1 Food Problem —
Revision Notes Can we feed ourselves?
(2nd Edition)
Are there other ways to solve the farming problems in China?
1. Improving farming methods
Organic farming: Avoiding the use of
chemicals to reduce soil pollution and
maintain soil fertility
Crop rotation: Growing different crops
on the same field every year. This
prevents the exhaustion of a particular
nutrient in the soil
Improving farming methods
Fallowing: Stoping farming on a plot for
a period of time after growing crops on
the same plot for several years. This
allows the soil to replenish its nutrients
Terrace farming: Cutting slopes into
steps according to the relief to grow
crops. This reduces soil erosion on slopes
2. Better land use management
Retaining at least 1,800 million mu of farmland to ensure stable food production.
Developing suitable policies to strengthen land use regulation, and opening up
new farmlands persistently.
3. Precision agriculture
Farmers make use of advanced technologies, e.g., Geographic Information
System (GIS) and remote sensing, to understand the natural environment of their
farms.
This help farmers choose the most suitable crops or livestock and develop
suitable agricultural management methods.
Fertilisers and pesticides can be used effectively.
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