PRT 2008 Lecture 1

Name of the Course Agriculture and Man

This course explores the evolution of agriculture from the beginnings to its present status as planned and managed activities, driven by economic and technological advancement. Modern agriculture is presented as a science, an art and a business encompassing its role and impact on resource management and human development. Discussion incorporates Malaysian agriculture scenarios Synopsis

Contents Introduction and scope Introduction and scope Agricultural evolution Agricultural evolution Agricultural revolution Agricultural revolution Basic agricultural resources Basic agricultural resources Sustainable agriculture and agricultural economics Sustainable agriculture and agricultural economics Innovation and challenges in agriculture Innovation and challenges in agriculture Approaches to agricultural development in Malaysia Approaches to agricultural development in Malaysia

Evaluation Attendance – 20 % Attendance – 20 % Quiz 1 – 20 % Quiz 1 – 20 % Quiz 2 – 20 % Quiz 2 – 20 % Assignment – 40 % Assignment – 40 %

References Acquaah, G Principle of Crop Production Acquaah, G Principle of Crop Production Anon rd National Agricultural Policy ( ). Anon rd National Agricultural Policy ( ). Anon Malaysian Agricultural Index. Anon Malaysian Agricultural Index. Manning, R Against the grain: How Agriculture has Hijacked Civilization. Manning, R Against the grain: How Agriculture has Hijacked Civilization. Mazoyer, M and, L. Roudart History of World Agriculture: from Neolithic Age to the Current Crisis. Mazoyer, M and, L. Roudart History of World Agriculture: from Neolithic Age to the Current Crisis.

Introduction and Scope Definition Definition Importance of agriculture Importance of agriculture

Definition Utilization of natural resource system to produce commodities to produce food, fiber, forest product, horticultural crops. Utilization of natural resource system to produce commodities to produce food, fiber, forest product, horticultural crops. It involves farming – the art and science of cultivating soil, producing crops and raising livestock It involves farming – the art and science of cultivating soil, producing crops and raising livestock Modern agriculture is a business involving processing of agricultural produce into food and non food products. E.g. palm oil, cocoa, rubber. Modern agriculture is a business involving processing of agricultural produce into food and non food products. E.g. palm oil, cocoa, rubber. There has been a continual improvement of agricultural methods, resources and implements – scientists, inventors, engineers, etc. There has been a continual improvement of agricultural methods, resources and implements – scientists, inventors, engineers, etc. Modern agriculture depends heavily on science and technology Modern agriculture depends heavily on science and technology The field of agriculture include agronomy, horticulture, plant breeding and genetics, entomology, pathology, soil science, dairying, animal husbandry, agricultural chemistry, agricultural engineering and agricultural economics. The field of agriculture include agronomy, horticulture, plant breeding and genetics, entomology, pathology, soil science, dairying, animal husbandry, agricultural chemistry, agricultural engineering and agricultural economics. Agriculture also involves soilless farming - hydroponics Agriculture also involves soilless farming - hydroponics

Definition Cont. Packing Packing Processing Processing Marketing Marketing

Importance of Agriculture About 40 % (2002 estimate) of the world population are employed in agriculture About 40 % (2002 estimate) of the world population are employed in agriculture Asia’s share of the labor market reaches 80 % (India and China). Asia’s share of the labor market reaches 80 % (India and China). Africa – 14 % Africa – 14 % Europe - < 10 % Europe - < 10 % Latin America – 3.5 % Latin America – 3.5 % North America - 1 % North America - 1 %

Cont. Farming is sometimes referred to as subsistence agriculture – the production of enough food to meet the need of the family, e.g. in the underdeveloped countries.

Cont. In the developed West, farming is an industrial intensive agriculture, producing raw materials for the industrialized nations, obtaining significant financial income, e.g. food, fiber, fuel, ornamentals, meat, etc.

Cont. Food security in case of war, flood and drought.

Cont. Agricultural waste can be turned into feeds and fertilizers.

Sustainable agriculture Sustainable land management (acid sulfate soil) Sustainable land management (acid sulfate soil) Soil pollution and contamination – nitrate, heavy metals Soil pollution and contamination – nitrate, heavy metals Overuse of pesticides - vegetables Overuse of pesticides - vegetables