PRT 2008 Lecture 3

Agricultural Evolution

Introduction The age of the earth is 4.6 billions The age of the earth is 4.6 billions Life form appeared 1 billion years ago Life form appeared 1 billion years ago First hominid hunters – 4 millions First hominid hunters – 4 millions Human started farming – 12, 000 years ago Human started farming – 12, 000 years ago Global agricultural evolution started in Global agricultural evolution started in

Cont. Rotation with legume and root crops Rotation with legume and root crops Employ scientific method in agricultural research Employ scientific method in agricultural research Use of oil to increase yield and productivity Use of oil to increase yield and productivity Invent mechanized farm equipment Invent mechanized farm equipment Set up food-processing industries Set up food-processing industries Transfer of crops and animals from the land origin Transfer of crops and animals from the land origin

Agriculture in the Middle Ages Much of the advancement was made by the Muslims (early 9 th century). Started agricultural revolution based on 4 areas:

4 key areas 4 key areas Irrigation Irrigation Adopted scientific approach to farming Adopted scientific approach to farming Incentive driven approach – land ownership, labor right Incentive driven approach – land ownership, labor right Introduction of new crops and plant varieties Introduction of new crops and plant varieties

Modern agriculture Started in Agriculture is so improved that yield per land unit was many times more than before. Use of mechanization. Improve productivity.

Domestication of plants and animals Domestication of species was the beginning of modern agriculture Domestication of species was the beginning of modern agriculture It involves deliberate sowing (raising of animals) and management It involves deliberate sowing (raising of animals) and management Initial areas – Yangtze river, Nile, Central Mexico, South Andes, Eastern US Initial areas – Yangtze river, Nile, Central Mexico, South Andes, Eastern US

Cont. Domesticated plants/animals – have favored traits and are preferentially raised or harvested and are re-sown and bred again. Over time these selections produced changes (genetically)

Cont. Domesticated animals provide transport, food,

Agriculture in motion Utilization of human labor Utilization of human labor Utilization of animals Utilization of animals Mechanical Mechanical ICT ICT Biotechnology Biotechnology

Traditional agriculture (values and traditions) Found in the 3 rd world. It does not exist in the US or Europe Found in the 3 rd world. It does not exist in the US or Europe Use of agro-ecosystem. It is complex, comprising human, animal and crop. It is stable and sustainable. Use of agro-ecosystem. It is complex, comprising human, animal and crop. It is stable and sustainable. The art of production is passed down the generation The art of production is passed down the generation The goal is produce enough food for the community The goal is produce enough food for the community Do not use big implement Do not use big implement Use of human and animal labor to control pest and disease Use of human and animal labor to control pest and disease Minimal use of inorganic fertilizer Minimal use of inorganic fertilizer Grow old variety Grow old variety

Modern agriculture (values and traditions) Use of modern technologies – remote sensing, ICT, fertilizer, etc. Use of modern technologies – remote sensing, ICT, fertilizer, etc. Intensive Intensive Mass production Mass production Dependent on the use of chemicals Dependent on the use of chemicals Grow selected clone and varieties Grow selected clone and varieties K-labor K-labor Monoculture Monoculture Do not bother about old values and traditions Do not bother about old values and traditions

Slash and burn agriculture Temporary Temporary Always on the move Always on the move Low yield Low yield Unsustainable Unsustainable

Permanent agriculture Regarded as conventional agriculture Regarded as conventional agriculture Practiced widely in Malaysia – paddy, rice, oil palm rubber Practiced widely in Malaysia – paddy, rice, oil palm rubber This is modern agriculture This is modern agriculture

Religion in agriculture Islam encourages agriculture Islam encourages agriculture Chapters in in Quran – Al Baqarah, 22; Al Kahfi, 32-41, 45; Yaasin, 33-36; Luqman,10 Chapters in in Quran – Al Baqarah, 22; Al Kahfi, 32-41, 45; Yaasin, 33-36; Luqman,10

Influence of agriculture on the quality of life New generation regard agriculture as a business New generation regard agriculture as a business Human being need food and fibers Human being need food and fibers Agriculture products are trendy and satisfy the need of the new generation Agriculture products are trendy and satisfy the need of the new generation Agriculture activities need to be checked from time to time to make sure it follows the rule Agriculture activities need to be checked from time to time to make sure it follows the rule