Compare the Current and Future Issues in Global Agriculture

Objective 2.02

Compare the current and future issues in global agriculture.

Examples of Agriscience research to meet these demands:
a bio-engineered tomato that resists rotting
New sources
biodiesel from animal fat
Human
decreasing the amount of animal fat in the diet and raising the proportion of fat from vegetable sources
Satellite technology ()
determine various nutrient levels/deficiencies in plants

We must meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs

Food Production
Crops are raised without using most conventional , petroleum-based fertilizers, or sewage sludge-based fertilizers
Animals must be fed organic feed and be given access to the outdoors
Antibiotics and growth hormones may not be used in organic production
Accounts for more than 3% of all U.S. food sales

GMO’s
Combining genes from different organisms results in an organism being called genetically modified or transgenic
Controversies surrounding this practice include safety, ethics, labeling and others
Fewer

Local Food Movement
Can be defined in terms of
Is a very popular concept in regards to food safety, food freshness, and reduction of environmental impact due to shorter shipping distances

CSA’s ( )
Direct-to-consumer programs
Buy shares of a farms projected harvest
Pay for their share of the harvest up front
Distributes risk between the farmer and the consumers
Pick up their share regularly in a communal location or the shares are delivered directly
USDA estimates as many as CSA’s are operating nationally

Water (quantity and quality)
US water shortages are a major issue in the western portion of the nation where expanding cities needs are competing with farmers needs for the same water resources
The aquifer that underlies Long Island represents the only drinking water for the 3 million plus residents
Southeastern US, including North Carolina, have become common place
In Third World countries a safe water supply is a
Most areas of the world, supplies of safe water have become generally insufficient because of misuse, poor management, waste, pollution and climate change