Source: www.agcare.org
Topic: Production & Operations Management
Sort Desciption: ... ultimately are a source of meat and milk. b) Grains and oilseeds are well adapted to most cropland and are consumed in many forms. c) Fruits and vegetables require intensive soil management. Production ...
Content Inside: SOIL MANAGEMENT & FOOD PRODUCTION Sustainable food production requires a healthy ecosystem. There is a delicate common link between soil health and crop production management. Soil composition and condition influences the soil-life ecosystem which in turn impacts on the food production system. Any change to the soil affects the soil-life ecosystem and the soil's capability to support food crop production. For example: a farmer wants to plant a new type of crop change his plant nutrient program by using less fertilizer or reduce soil moisture there will be real life agricultural issues that impact on all of us. If you understand these issues you will be ready for the challenge below and truly realize that EVERYTHING IS CONNECTED! SOIL LIFE ECOSYSTEM SOIL CROP PRODUCTION MANAGEMENT SYSTEM W E E D S C R O P R O T A T I O N C R O P V A R I E T Y T I L L A G E C R O P R E S I D U E L I V I N G P E S T S C O V E R C R O P D I S E A S E N U T R I E N T S S O I L M O I S T U R E SUN (LIGHT - HEAT) O R G A N I C M A T T E R A I R W A T E R M I N E R A L S FRESH PROCESSING LIVESTOCK WASTE FOOD HUMANS WASTE PLANTS CAN YOU RECOMMEND WAYS TO RAPIDLY INCREASE FOOD PRODUCTION IN A SUSTAINABLE WAY? CAN YOU ACCEPT THIS CHALLENGE? FOOD PRODUCTION FOOD PRODUCTION SYSTEM The Food Production Challenge- Working Within Ecosystems We are experiencing a steady decline in the area of land that is capable of food production. Not all of our food land can sustainably grow crops for humans. The population is expected to increase by 50% by 2050. During that same time period demand for food is expected to grow at an even faster rate (100%) than population growth due to rising standards of living. (particularly in Asia) To double our food supply in a sustainable way without further loss and degradation of our soil will be a huge challenge. We must continue to develop and apply our scientific knowledge and skills for the protection of our food land e ...
