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How physical and human processes lead to changes in food production and consumption, and incidence and spread of disease
The merits of a systems approach (inputs, stores, transfers, outputs) to compare energy efficiency and water footprints in food production, and relative sustainability in different places
The physical and human processes that can lead to variations in food consumption
The importance of diffusion (including adoption/acquisition, expansion, relocation) in the spread of agricultural innovations, and also in the spread of diseases, and the role of geographic factors (including physical, economic and political barriers) in the rate of diffusion
Geographic factors contributing to the incidence, diffusion and impacts (demographic and socio-economic) of vector-borne and water-borne diseases
One detailed example of a vector-borne disease and one detailed example of a water-borne disease
2.1 The merits of a systems approach (inputs, stores, transfers, outputs) to compare energy efficiency and water footprints in food production, and relative sustainability in different places
2.1 The merits of a systems approach (inputs, stores, transfers, outputs) to compare energy efficiency and water footprints in food production, and relative sustainability in different places
Aims of lessons:
To discuss why a systems approach is useful to compare farming types.
To look at other methods to compare efficiency and sustainability.
Energy efficiency - relating it to sustainability in farming.
Water footprint and systems.
Industrial vs Small Scale farming
Resources:
2.1 Document to work on - can do in groups no problem
Documentary Area
Do yourselves a favour and watch some of the documentaries to help you understand more of the issues relating to modern agricultural systems.
Kiss the Ground (Netflix) - This is essential viewing - it is on Netflix. Note the different types of systems that are referred to.
What is regenerative farming. What is monoculture. What has happened to topsoil over the last 50 years?
This moves on to next idea of adoption of agricultural innovations.
Apocalypse Cow - George Monbiot is an environmental journalist - get to know his work.
Eating our way to extinction - another fantastic documentary.
2.2 - The physical and human processes that can lead to variations in food consumption
2.2 - The physical and human processes that can lead to variations in food consumption
The causes of hunger are complex and often multi-faceted. Nobel Prize winning Economist Amartya Sen said that "Famines are complex social phenomena, and a lack of food is seldom the reason why people starve”. If lack of food is rarely the issue then why is that so many people in the world go hungry?
The causes of hunger can be split into two categories:
FED - Food Entitlement Deficiency - The food is there but for different reasons they are not entitled to access it, leading to hunger
FAD - Food Availability Deficiency - There are problems in access and availability of food leading to hunger
Food insecurity will always depend on a combination of factors that are local to the problem and it can impact people varying scales from the household to a community or entire region. (From Inthinking - see below for link)
Note option for Pre-reading of chapter to discuss in class.
Resource 1 -Pre-read Inthinking Chapter
Resource 2: page 41-49 of S.Codrington
Use the various resources at your disposal to create a clear mind map that looks at physical and human processes leading to variations in food consumption.
Think of Place as well as variations between social classes and genders.
You could split it into
Socio-cultural,
Environmental,
Economic,
Political and
Demographic processes.
Remember to think of differences within and between countries...
2023/4 - Update - cost of living crisis
Video: Wheat prices rise as a result of Ukraine war.
Articles: read at least one of the articles below.
Wall Street Journal - food price rise hits poorest
2.3 - The importance of diffusion (including adoption/acquisition, expansion, relocation) in the spread of agricultural innovations, and also in the spread of diseases, and the role of geographic factors (including physical, economic and political barriers) in the rate of diffusion
2.3 - The importance of diffusion (including adoption/acquisition, expansion, relocation) in the spread of agricultural innovations, and also in the spread of diseases, and the role of geographic factors (including physical, economic and political barriers) in the rate of diffusion
An Introduction to Diffusion of Innovation
An Introduction to Diffusion of Innovation
Read this fantastic Extended Essay on Diffusion of innovation in terms of Green building technology in Singapore.
Text book page - Inthinking
Note Taking Template - Download and complete
Agricultural Innovation and Diffusion
Agricultural Innovation and Diffusion
Objectives:
To understand the theory behind how agricultural innovations diffuse through society.
To analyse the following innovations in terms of:
the extent of diffusion.
why some areas may not take up such innovations so quickly
Case Study Examples
Green Revolution - When and where did it occur. What accounted for different rates of adoption.
GMO’s - (we will look at these later, but remember they can also belong here)
Vertical and other Urban farming methods - why are these expanding so rapidly. What Geographical factors are encouraging growth. What may slow it down?
Role of Barriers - Physical, economic and political barriers to agricultural diffusion.
Recommendation - Amazing BBC resource - called follow the. food - a number of short but brilliant documentaries
Agicultural innovation in Kenya
a) spreading new ideas
b) allowing farmers access to methods of growing and the market.
2 examples can be looked at to show the effect of media and mobile phones.
Shamba Shape up - Kenyas most watched Agricultural TV show
Kenya mobile apps for farmers - notes
Other Readings
Must Read article - try and relate to this.
How do diseases spread and what barriers exist?
How do diseases spread and what barriers exist?
Managing pandemics, including the epidemiology of the disease, prior local and global awareness, international action and the role of media
One case study of a contemporary pandemic and the lessons learned for pandemic management in the future
Presentation:
Case Study: Covid 19 - Resources from Inthinking - Note this is continuously being updated as it is news. Also write from your own knowledge and perspective.
Simple resource - Inthinking pdf chapter
Managing Contemporary Pandemics - Covid 19 - go through these video resources to help you. They combine with the inthinking textbook
Funstuff - Using GIS to map outbreaks. - Based upon the real life situation of the e.coli outbreak in the USA from Lettuce in California. Very interesting look at how this technology can act as a useful barrier.
What Chatgpt has to say
Singapore Specific Resources
Singapore Specific Resources
Global-is-asian- June 21 - How Singapore managed the Covid19 pandemic?
Timeline for first 6 month responses to Covid in Singapore
Straits Times - 2022. - Singapore has succesfully transitioned to living with Covid 19.
Nanyang Tech Inst - Misinformation during pandemic highlights role of mainstream media.
Social Media - what role has it played in misinformation.
Academic Article - this is the kind of journal you will be expected to look at in your Extended Essays. There is an interesting section on media response.
Using GIS data to show incidence of Covid and Vaccinations
Task: Describe the use of GIS to help governments, the public to understand more about the disease.
Task: With reference to a range of countries, describe and explain the different rates of incidence of covid and death as well as levels of vaccination.
International Journal for Research into Applied Science and Engineering Technology - " Application of GIS in COVID -19 Monitoring and Surveillance
Now thats an academic journal focusing in particular on the work of the Johns Hopkins University map. (see below)
- Geographic factors contributing to the incidence, diffusion and impacts (demographic and socio-economic) of vector-borne and water-borne diseases
- One detailed example of a vector-borne disease and one detailed example of a water-borne disease
Discuss the geographic factors responsible for the incidence and spread of vector borne and water borne disease (10 marks)
Discuss requires a full examination of a breadth of geographical factors and should take the form of assessing the relative importance of these factors
Geographic factors relate to social, economic and environmental issues and should be developed to show an in-depth understanding of one named vector borne and one named water borne disease.
The conclusion should be consistent with the argument developed in the main body
Video undate - a malaria vaccine developed
Task 1- In groups of 4 - one pair will become experts on Malaria and the other pair on Cholera. You will be working together to produce a presentation on both of these using this template.
After you finish, you should go over the disease you were not a specialist for and make sure you look through the sources.
ARCGIS opportunity - slowing the spread of Malaria using ITNs
Option 1 - Use the Resources on this page and complete the work on this template.
Option 2 - Use the resources on Geographyalltheway and a print out of this document... or if you have pdf writer you could write on it.
fh.2.4 Disease.pdfWater Borne diseases - Cholera - The Geographical factors responsible for the incidence, spread and impacts of Cholera
Vector borne Disease - Malaria - The Geographical factors responsible for the incidence, spread and impacts of Malaria.
Nature Magazine 2021- Scientists hail historic malaria vaccine approval — but point to challenges ahead
Tasks and Resources -
1 - Download document: You will use the resources and links on Inthinking. However I have made the outline document for you to work on to make your lives easier... as per norm.
Case Study: Eden Foundation- Expansion diffusion small scale agricultural innovation.
Case Study Time - Get your Journalism hats back on........
Case Study Time - Get your Journalism hats back on........
You work for the BBC which puts on a weekly programme that looks at methods by which new innovations in Agriculture are improving food security in poorer rural areas. You want to present a 5 minute summary of the innovation using the following...
1. Overview of the Innovation:
Describe the innovation. What is it, and how does it work?
2. Target Community:
Which rural community or communities are benefiting from this innovation?
What challenges were they facing before its introduction?
3. Impact Analysis:
How has this innovation affected:
Agricultural productivity?
Economic well-being of the farmers?
Social aspects of the community?
Environmental sustainability?
4. Diffusion and Adoption:
How was the innovation introduced to the community?
What methods were used to encourage adoption among farmers?
Are there any barriers to widespread adoption?
5. Future Prospects:
What are the plans for scaling or improving this innovation?
How might it be adapted to other regions or communities?
Preparing the News Article:
Craft a compelling headline.
Write a concise lead that summarizes the key points.
Develop the body with quotes, data, and anecdotes to illustrate the impact.
Conclude with the broader significance of the innovation.
Preparing the TV News Script:
Write in a conversational tone, suitable for a BBC news segment.
Start with a strong opening line to grab attention.
Use visuals or descriptions to enhance the storytelling.
Keep sentences short and clear, focusing on the human element.
End with a statement that underscores the importance of the innovation.
Examples
Choice 1 - Find one from this booklet of 20 innovations and then research
20 Agricultural innovations for small scale farmers.
Choice 2 - Choose from one of the examples below.
1. Farmer-Managed Natural Regeneration (FMNR) – Niger
Description: FMNR is a low-cost land restoration technique where farmers protect and manage the natural regeneration of trees and shrubs on their land, leading to improved soil fertility and crop yields.
2. Maggot Farming for Animal Feed – Uganda
Description: Farmers cultivate black soldier fly larvae to produce affordable, high-protein animal feed, reducing costs and environmental impact.
3. Increasing the use of AI and Mobile apps to develop productivity in East Africa.
Article: kenyan farmers using Ai to increase yields
Video: AI use to control animal and crop diseases
4. Agroecology Practices – Africa
Description: Sustainable farming methods integrate local knowledge and biodiversity to improve resilience and productivity.
Your Choice.... However this needs to focus on agricultural production and efficiencies used in agribusines.. for example the use of drones...
The growth of Vertical farming with a focus on Singapore.
Vertical Pig Farming in China -
The Guardian - China’s 26-storey pig skyscraper ready to slaughter 1 million pigs a year [25 November 2022]
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