Modernising rice farming Large scale irrigation RURAL GEOGRAPHY Change in Kerela Modernising rice farming Large scale irrigation Dams are made across rivers to make huge reservoirs… …which gives an reliable water supply all year… …so that farmers can grow many crops without relying on rainfall… …which means there can be 2 to 3 annual harvests instead of relying on one annual monsoon. greenhouses Farmers build polythene tunnels… …so this means farmers can control the climate so plants can grow at any time… …which means allows more types of plants to be grown… …so there can be 2 to 3 annual harvests instead of relying on one annual temperature changes Agro-chemicals Artificial fertilisers are used to help crops grow better… …so this kills pests and diseases… …which means that crops grow higher yields… …but this means that more chemicals need to be applied to make the soil fertile each year. Biogas plants

Change in Kerela Modernising rice farming RURAL GEOGRAPHY Change in Kerela Modernising rice farming Large scale irrigation Farmer X lives in a village in Kerela near a beach which until recently had no electricity. He grew a couple of hectares of rice in paddy field. He also has a few coconut tree, four dairy cows and some goats.. Four technological development shave become available to him recently: Poly-tunnels from a new local company that makes them Water from a new large dam and reservoir An affordable biogas plant A wide range of agrochemicals greenhouses Agro-chemicals Biogas plants Which development will be most useful to the farmer?

Change in Kerela Improving the farming RURAL GEOGRAPHY Increased farm size: farm size increases form 2 to 10 hectares to increase commercial viability Improved farming methods: farmers grow cash crops: coconut & rubber Diversification: generating income through non farming activities. New technology: using machinery, chemicals and irrigation device to grow crops greenhouses: they allow the farmer to control the climate all year round. Genetically Modified Crops (GM): crops that are derived from scientifically altered seeds

LARGE SCALE IRRIGATION RURAL GEOGRAPHY Change in Kerela Improving the farming COMMERCIAL FARMING Surfaced roads means improved access so farmers can sell produce at market LARGE SCALE IRRIGATION New reservoirs means a reliable water supply all year so farmers can grow 2 or 3 harvests a year HIGH PRICED CROPS New reservoirs means a reliable water supply all year so farmers can grow 2 or 3 harvests a year DIVERSIFICATION Changing from old, traditional to new and modern ways of farming LESS ORGANIC FARMING Artificial fertilisers so crops can grow better AND pesticides so pests and diseases are killed which means that a higher yield is produced (but more chemicals needed annually) LESS RICE IS GROWN Rice is too costly to grow because it is labour intensive AND wages are increasing AND cheaper rice is imported from abroad BIOGAS PLANTS Natural animal manure and human waste can be converted into gas so this can be used for heating and lighting.

Change in Kerela Green Revolution RURAL GEOGRAPHY Change in Kerela Green Revolution Green Revolution: the introduction of modern farming methods and structural change in rural areas in the 1970-1980s. Green Revolution: the introduction of modern farming methods and structural change in rural areas in the 1970-1980s. Since 1970, the GDP share of agriculture has fallen from 43% to 16%. Not because of reduced importance of agriculture, or a consequence of agricultural policy. Largely because of the rapid economic growth in services (including tourism), industrial output, and non-agricultural sectors in India between 2000 to 2010.

Change in Kerela Green Revolution RURAL GEOGRAPHY Rice is the most important food crop in the world, providing more energy to humanity than any other food source. Rice yields have more than tripled since 1961, keeping up with Asia’s growing population When the green revolution began in the 1960s, it was before the revolution in molecular genetics: IR8, the first miracle rice, was bred without knowledge of the genes that blessed it with high yields. Breeders today can zero in on genes, but they still use traditional techniques and ever more complex pedigrees. That’s how they’ve created rice varieties adapted to rising sea levels—including Swarna-Sub1, popular in India To read the entire article, please click on the big green circle

What should farmers do about biofuels? RURAL GEOGRAPHY What should farmers do about biofuels?

Key features of the Green Revolution in India (1970-1980s) RURAL GEOGRAPHY Key features of the Green Revolution in India (1970-1980s) AIM: Increase crop production for food supply and export METHODS: ‘Economies of Scale’ Increase Efficiency: Amalgamation of small farms to increase efficiency, Fragmented land re-distributed so farmers land all in one place. Increased mechanisation Increased field size to use more land and allow use of machinery Modernisation: Encouraging financial borrowing to improve farm technology, Improvement of irrigation systems Education of farmers in new farming techniques Increase Yield: New crop varieties (HYVs – High Yielding Varieties) e.g. ‘Miracle Rice’ Increased use of fertiliser and pesticide SUCCESS? YES… Agricultural production doubled within 10 years  Some farmers richer. NO… More products available so prices dropped  Unable to afford loans. Many farmers in debt or unemployed  Increased wealth gap. Many methods had a negative impact on the environment.  Rural-Urban migration on search of work  growth of shanty towns