HISTORY OF AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT

The development of agriculture is probably the most important advance in human history. Over 10,000 years or more agricultural advancements have been responsible for our huge population growth and cultural development.

Over the centuries, two developments have contributed to our growing food supply: 1) Expansion of agriculture into more areas of the world. 2) More effective use of the land we already farm.

Expansion of Agriculture The opening of the grasslands of North America for farming between 1840 and 1915 greatly increased world food production. There are now no significant new areas of the planet left to farm.

More effective use of the land Throughout history, there have been many technological breakthroughs that increased food productivity.

Innovations in Agriculture Using pages 262-264 in the textbook, explain how each of the following have increased food production: Improved plows More effective use of animals “Industrialization” of farming Introduction of crops to new parts of the world Selective breeding of crops and animals Increased emphasis on cash-crop farming Green Revolution Increased corporate ownership of farms Development of genetically modified organisms