Revolutions and Von Thunen Model

The revolutionary transformation of agricultural practices, systems, and production. Dated back 10,000 years ago (maybe even 12,000 years ago), achieved plant and animal domestication.

Benefited and complemented the Industrial Revolution. Witnessed improved methods of cultivation, harvesting, and storage of farm produce. First seen in Western Europe and North America.

1. Rural to urban migration created new markets for agricultural products. New urban factory workers needed agricultural products from adjacent areas. 2. Mechanization replaced human hands with technology. Produced more with less work. 3. New methods of transportation Trains, steamboats, and refrigerated boxcars allowed farmers to ship farther.

Post World War II. Industrialized countries of the northern hemisphere began transferring: Technology Machinery Fertilizers Methods to the less-developed countries of Africa, Asia, and Latin America.

GOOD OR BAD?

Continued until the 1960s. Detrimental effects to the environment. Devastated the land Destroyed traditional modes of agricultural production Shattered ancient social structures Encouraged: Land speculation Human migrations Unsustainable farming practices

Farming practices developed in temperate climates do not always work well in tropical climates. Multinational corporations began to steer local economies away from producing food for local consumption toward producing specialty crops (peanuts, pineapples, etc) for export.

Currently in progress. Based on new high-yielding strains of grains and other crops developed in laboratories using modern techniques of genetic engineering. OH MAH GOODNESS, LOOK AT THAT CARROT.

A form of technology that uses living organisms, usually genes, to modify products, to make or modify plants and animals, or to develop other microorganisms for specific purposes.

Foods that are mostly products of organisms that have had their genes altered in a laboratory for specific purposes, such as disease resistance, increased productivity, or nutritional value allowing growers greater control, predictability, and efficiency (SUPPOSEDLY).

The set of economic and political relationships that organize food production for commercial purposes. It includes activities ranging from: seed production retailing consumption of agricultural products

What’s the difference between food production and agricultural production?

Today, a handful of giant corporations dominate agricultural markets through their control of: Land Machinery Shipping Packaging Marketing Resulted in the unemployment of many traditional farmers.

Model that spatially described agricultural activity in terms of rent. Activities that require intensive cultivation and cannot be transported over great distances pay higher rent to be close to the market. Activities that are more extensive, with goods that are easy to transport, are located farther from the market where rent is less.

The model was developed in an isolated state and did not take into consideration differences in sites (local physical conditions). It can be modified by relaxing some of the conditions set forth by Von Thunen: differential transportation costs. Example: boats are the cheapest mode of transportation. variations in topography soil fertility changes in demand or price of the commodity However, the model tends to hold true in most instances.