Rural Developed Country

• Modern technology on commercial arable farms in developed countries

  • Increased crop yields and profits, quicker harvests, computerised systems
  • Reduced number of farm workers, rural unemployment, pollution, costly machinery
• Use of fertilisers and pesticides


  • Increased crop yields and profits, fewer pests
  • Pollution, contamination, health concerns
• Genetically modified crops


  • Faster growth, higher yields, drought/disease resistance
  • Ethical concerns, cross-pollination, potential health risks
• Organic farming


  • Decreased pollution, improved soil, more jobs
  • Lower productivity, higher costs, more labour intensive
• Government policies for agriculture

  • Acts to protect farmers' incomes, support remote areas, regulate animal welfare
  • Grants to protect habitats, manage climate change
  • Potential changes due to Brexit, insufficient funding, farmers reliant on aid
• Diversification on farms


  • Creates jobs, increases incomes, reduces reliance on subsidies
  • Potential damage to environment, need for new skills, increased costs
• Genetically modified crops in developing countries

  • Faster growth, higher yields, boosting exports and reducing malnutrition
  • Potential health and environmental risks
• Rural developed country fens, East Anglia (Commercial arable farm)


  • Modern technology: Tractors, combine harvesters, crop sprayers, GPS controlled tractors
• Advantages of modern technology

  • Increased crop yields-more efficient. Increasing profits for farmers. There are less workers wages to pay.
  • Crops are harvested quicker and delivered to markets fresher.
  • Computer controlled fertiliser sprayers prevents waste and maximises production. Drones survey fields
  • Computerised water management /irrigation systems has increased crop production e.g sprinkler systems.
  • Poly tunnels with environmental control systems can improve crop yield and quality/increase growing season.
• Disadvantages of modern technology

  • Reduction in the number of people working on farms causing rural unemployment. Rural depopulation-many rural villages have lost young people who have gone in search of work, shops and services are closing in villages.
  • Mechanisation has increased noise and air pollution.
  • Machines are costly to buy and repair. Storage buildings are also required which adds cost.
  • Fields have been made larger and hedges have been removed causing loss of wildlife and insects, increase in wind and water erosion as the hedges no longer act as a shelter belt. Reduces the environmental quality of the area and scenery.
• Advantages of fertilisers/pesticides

  • Crops grow faster resulting in more harvests a year. Increase in crop yields and profits for farmers.
  • Fewer plants are eaten by pests. This means farmers have less wastage and more to sell.
  • Fertilisers have enabled areas with poor soils to be farmed which increases profits.
• Disadvantages of fertilisers/pesticides

  • Pollution chemicals(nitrates) run off into rivers leading to algae growing and the oxygen levels in the river fall affecting wildlife. Concerns over contamination of surrounding fields. There are also concerns over health risks to humans.
• Advantages of genetically modified crops

  • GM crops are more faster growing allowing more harvests a year and the new seeds produce more. Therefore there is more to sell. Resulting in more profit.
  • Plants are drought resistant or shorter in height to withstand wind and rain. Therefore less wastage occurs.
  • More resistant to insects and disease. Therefore there is less need for pesticides which helps insects and bees.
  • Crops can be altered so that they contain extra nutrients.
• Disadvantages of genetically modified crops

  • There are ethical concerns because scientists are interfering with nature.
  • Cross pollinate, non-GM crops would no longer be considered free of GM material — a huge issue for organic growers.
  • There is the potential for insects and viruses to evolve and become more powerful than the resistant GM crops.
  • There is concern that GM ingredients may cause toxic poisoning, allergic reactions, antibiotic resistance, and even cancer in humans. Research hasn't proven all the concerns, but there's enough evidence to warrant caution.
• Advantages of organic farming

  • There are increasing consumer demands for chemical free food.
  • Decreased water /river pollution with less chemicals being used.
  • Natural fertilisers help improve soil structure and moisture. Wildlife is encouraged to help control pests.
  • More jobs are provided because it is more labour intensive.
• Disadvantages of organic farming

  • More labour intensive, more time and effort to grow crops, costs more which means farms find it difficult to compete
  • Farmers need to be more skilful to cultivate poorer soils. Productivity is lower also can be more prone to disease.
• Advantages of government policies

  • The Agriculture Act 2020 tackles inequality and help protect farmers income.
  • Scottish Rural Development Programme(SRDP) supports farmers in remote areas e.g Scottish highlands and islands.
  • Forestry Grants help protect woodland areas.
  • Animal health and welfare regulations. Maintain quality food supplies. Prevents outbreaks disease. Inspect where and how animals are killed and slaughtered.
  • Sites of Scientific Interest(SSSI) or Environmentally Sensitive Areas(ESA) farmers are given money to protect areas/ protects habitats
  • Agri-Environment Climate Scheme funds protection stone walls, barns, manages flooding and climate change (tree planting).
• Disadvantages of government policies

  • Brexit could change import/export laws reducing profits.
  • Grants might not be sufficient to support farmers. Funding cuts will limit farming advances
  • Farmers become reliant on financial aid
• Advantages of diversification


  • Jobs are created which helps reduce unemployment and the new activities reduce rural depopulation. Increased income and maximised their profits. Gives farmers an improved standard of living .Less reliant subsidies from the government.
  • More taxes and money is generated which can be invested in rural areas to improve local services
• Disadvantages of diversification


  • Tourism can result in damage to stone walls, vandalism, Footpath erosion, New facilities, eg camp sites, quad bike tracks spoil the natural look of the countryside. Noise. Lakes and rivers used for water sports becoming polluted
  • Farmers need to learn new skills /follow rules and regulations such as health and safety-increased insurance costs.