5.10 Consequences of Agricultural Practices

• What is shifting cultivation and what are its environmental and social impacts?

  Clearing land until soil fertility declines, deforestation and erosion, supports self-sufficiency
• How does crop rotation improve soil health?

  Enhances fertility, reduces pests
• Mechanization in modern agriculture can reduce labor needs but displace small farmers
• Order the traditional agricultural practices from most sustainable to least sustainable based on their environmental impact:

  1️⃣ Crop rotation

  2️⃣ Terrace farming

  3️⃣ Shifting cultivation

  4️⃣ Irrigation
• How does mechanization in modern agriculture affect rural communities?

  Reduces labor needs
• Traditional agricultural methods promote biodiversity and preserve natural resources.


  True
• Modern agricultural practices can lead to dependence on external inputs like fertilizers and pesticides.


  True
• Sustainable agriculture balances environmental stewardship, economic viability, and social equity.


  True
• What is the purpose of terrace farming?

  Prevent soil erosion
• What is one environmental impact of modern agricultural practices?

  Degradation of soil and water
• Match the modern agricultural practice with its environmental impact:

  Intensive Use of Fertilizers ↔️ Degrades soil and water quality

  Monoculture Farming ↔️ Vulnerable to pests and diseases

  Mechanization and Large-Scale Operations ↔️ Leads to soil erosion and habitat destruction
• Sustainable agriculture ensures that current needs are met without compromising future generations
• Environmental stewardship in sustainable agriculture reduces pollution and protects biodiversity
• Terrace farming helps prevent soil erosion but requires intensive labor
• Match the agricultural practice with its description:

  Modern farming ↔️ Intensive use of fertilizers

  Traditional farming ↔️ Tailored to local environments
• Sustainable agriculture aims to balance environmental, economic, and social factors


  True
• Irrigation can lead to soil salinization due to the accumulation of salts
• What are three environmental consequences of modern agricultural practices?

  Soil erosion, habitat destruction, resource depletion
• Match the traditional agricultural practice with its purpose:

  Crop Rotation ↔️ Improves soil health and reduces pests

  Terrace Farming ↔️ Prevents soil erosion on hillsides

  Shifting Cultivation ↔️ Supports self-sufficiency in fertile areas
• What is one negative social consequence of modern agricultural practices?

  Displacement of small farmers
• Match the goal of sustainable agriculture with its description:

  Environmental Stewardship ↔️ Preserves natural resources and reduces pollution

  Economic Viability ↔️ Provides stable income for farmers

  Social Equity ↔️ Supports fair labor practices
• Irrigation, while enabling agriculture in dry regions, can lead to soil salinization
• Modern agricultural efficiency often depends on external inputs like fertilizers and pesticides
• What are the three principles of sustainable agriculture?

  Environmental stewardship, economic viability, social equity
• What three factors does sustainable agriculture balance?

  Environmental stewardship, economic viability, social equity
• Economic viability in sustainable agriculture ensures stable income for farmers and affordability for consumers


  True
• Irrigation can deplete water resources and cause soil salinization

  True
• What is a primary environmental impact of modern agriculture?

  Soil and water degradation
• What does environmental stewardship in sustainable agriculture preserve?

  Natural resources, reduces pollution
• Traditional agricultural methods like crop rotation and terrace farming are often more environmentally sustainable


  True
• Traditional agricultural methods are typically tailored to local environments
• Mechanization in modern agriculture reduces labor needs, displacing small farmers
• Modern agricultural practices, while efficient, are often less aligned with environmental and social sustainability
• Steps of shifting cultivation:

  1️⃣ Clear a plot of land

  2️⃣ Farm the plot until soil fertility declines

  3️⃣ Move to a new area
• Crop rotation naturally reduces pests and enhances soil fertility.


  True
• The intensive use of fertilizers and pesticides in modern agriculture can reduce biodiversity.


  True
• Sustainable agriculture aims to preserve natural resources and reduce pollution.


  True