Wednesday 23 May 2012

Why Farming Is Essential

By Tracy Q. Xavier


There are many aspects and activities that make life on Earth possible. One thing that separates humans from all the other animals is our social organization and societies. Humans have lived in societies for several thousand years. One of the most important discoveries in the history of humankind is the discovery of agriculture. In this article I'll discuss the most important factors regarding agriculture and farming, and why it is literally the backbone of modern society, and why without it we, as humans, would no be able to exist in such large numbers.

Obviously, farms produce food. But the farms of today produce food not just for the farmers and those directly in contact with them, but for the whole world. Virtually everything you eat on a regular daily basis comes from some distant corner of the globe. Australia grows sugar and sells it to Japan. America grows rice and sells it to Asia. Brazil grows soybeans and sells them the United States. The global economy is largely dependent on the idea of large farms around the world selling their crop to end users around the world.

In addition to food, farms are starting to be used for bio fuels. While they are far from perfect, one day bio fuels from crops such as corn may soon replace fossil fuels. Crude oil is a finite resource, and will one day run out. But corn, on the other hand, can be grown again and again in the same plot of land, and be used to create an unlimited supply of clean fuel. This is the promise of the future.

Another important aspect of farming is research and development. Many believe that with a certain size of dirt, there's so much food you can grow. But as the world's population continues to grow, innovative farmers are finding more efficient ways to increase the yield from the same land. Over the past hundred years, the yield per acre has increased significantly, as farming technology has increased to support a fast growing population.

Finally, farming is an important part of many counties economy. Free trade is the backbone of any countries chance at prosperity, and so long as there is a consumer somewhere in the world, countries can prosper. For example, if a country can only grow sweet potatoes, they can sell them on the open market, and use the money to buy the food that they need. They aren't stuck eating only sweet potatoes.

Farming is a basic process that has helped humankind flourish on Earth. It contributes to prosperity, feeds the masses, and may very well end our dependence on fossil fuels.




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