Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
that is used to protect the country. Fourth, food production is a source of pride for
many countries.
Positive interventions can be of several types: support of farming inputs to keep
their prices low, support of food prices to keep the money paid to the farmer higher
than their market value, or governments may support programs such as soil or water
conservation programs or projects that ultimately lead to improved or increased
agricultural production or increased food security. For instance, water conservation
and reservoir construction projects can result in water availability for crop irrigation
allowing food production during drought conditions.
Programs that also control importation of food will have a general positive effect
on local food production except in the case where the food imported cannot be grown in
country and is not in competition with a locally grown food source.
A negative impact will occur when a government does not do any of the above. It
can also occur when the government allows unrestricted importation of food from any
outside source.
11.5.8 Irrigation
For many countries irrigation is a possible route to increased food production. When
water is available, constantly replenished, and the technology available, it can result
in a more balanced availability of food throughout the year. Even those with minimal
resources can practice some irrigation technology, involving simple canals and
movement of water by gravity. More complex systems requiring more sophisticated
equipment are restricted to those with both the resources to purchase the equipment
and maintain it. This also requires that the return on invested monies be sufficient to
justify the expense.
Irrigation has two problems that must always be addressed. The first is salt. All
irrigation, except in areas with very high rainfall such as the humid tropics, results in
the buildup of salt in the soil. This salt must be removed by installing a suitable
drainage system and by practicing irrigation methods that limit salt buildup. If not con-
trolled, salt buildup will eventually render a soil nonproductive. Because of the salt
problem, irrigation schemes need to be supported by technically competent individuals
who can advise farmers on how to control salt in soil.
The second major problem is the long-term availability of water for irrigation. For
a sustainable irrigation project the water used must be replaced on a yearly basis by pre-
cipitation that can be in any form, that is, rain, snow, or ice. For this reason both the
climate and the hydrology of an area to be irrigated must be well studied and under-
stood so that only sustainable amounts of water are used.
11.6
AGRICULTURE FOR THE LONG TERM
We must look forward to ensure that our present comfortable situation does not evolve
into a replay of historical food shortages and famines. How can we ensure a food supply
for the next 1000 years? Is it even possible? Let's look at some possibilities.
