automation assg 1

8/11/2019 Automation Assg 1

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ERT 457 DESIGN OF AUTOMATIONASSIGNMENT 1

Name: Gan Pei Gie

Matrix No: 111190359Lecturers Name: Pn. Rashidah Binti Ruslan

Submitted On: 21 Feb 2014


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Traditional, Modern and Future Farming. Where Are We?

Traditional farming is based on treating the soil and plants with products that are

more likely than not noxious, and more likely than not synthetically produced in a

laboratory. Traditional farmers focus on methods that maintain soil fertility, prevent the

loss of topsoil, hold water in the soil and produce stable harvests. Traditional farming

can tolerate the unpredictable environment such as heavy raining and hot days. Besides,

traditional farming can produce a higher quality of crops compared to other methods of

farming. Traditional farming needs a great amount of labour and thus more job

opportunities are created. While the disadvantage of traditional farming is that the crops

taking too long time to harvest. Besides, the crops that produced may be harmful to the

consumers due to the use of pesticides. Use of powerful chemical products will alsokillsoff life in the topsoil and subsoil. It destroy or inhibit harmful fungi or fungal

spores(fungicides), that kill or inhibit harmful insects and other pests (insecticides) and

that control unwanted vegetation (herbicides) has ultimately contributed to the reduction

in microbial life in the soil.

In modern agricultural, farmers have much more central roles and are eager to

apply technology and information to control most components of the system, a very

different view from traditional farmers. In contrast to the isolation inherent in traditional

arrangements, modern agriculture tends to see its success as dependant on linkages access

to resources, technology, management, investment, markets and supportive government

policies. As a result, much of the success of modern systems depends on the development

and maintenance of soil fertility through the specific provision of nutrients when they are

depleted. The use of machine power and technology to create soil conditions are

necessary to promote plant growth with minimal disturbance and minimal soil loss.

Besides, the use of improved genetics for crops and livestock can enhance yields, quality

and reliability. Uses of modern genetic and other techniques are able to protect plants and

livestock from losses to competing plants, diseases, drought insects and other threats. The

disadvantage of modern agriculture is the runoff of agricultural chemicals, which causes

high levels of nitrogen and phosphorus in many lakes and rivers. This will result in


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overgrowth of green algae and depletion of oxygen in lakes and rivers. Malaysias

agriculture is belonging to modern farming.

Nowadays, population growth is keep rising and making the demand for

agricultural products increasing. Future farming should be practiced in order to fulfil the

increase in demand. New fungicides, insecticides and herbicides have to be implemented

in order to provide better control and are even more favourable to the environment.

Future farming also includes advanced seed treatment chemicals so that the seeds are

treated with crop protection chemicals, protecting the plant. Hence, the farmers can

reduce the number of spray applications which in turns will lower the labour costs and

environmental impacts.

The main reasons of global food demand in the future are the expanding are

population and global wealth. Increase in population and global wealth causing the

demand in agricultural products rise sharply. Thus, in order to maintain the sustainability

and fulfil the demand, we need to improve the technology of agriculture sector

and quality of the seeds of agriculture sector.


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References

1. Oakley, P. (n.d.). Retrieved February 19, 2014, from BASF:

http://www.basf.com/group/corporate/en_GB/function/conversions:/publish/conte

nt/investor-relations/calendar/images/050831/Oakley_Overview.pdf

2. Antoine. (n.d.).studymode. Retrieved February 19, 2014, from

http://www.studymode.com/essays/Modern-Agriculture-100444.html

3. Modern agriculture and its benefits.(n.d.). Retrieved February 19, 2014, from

Motes: http://www.globalharvestinitiative.org/Documents/Motes%20-

%20Modern%20Agriculture%20and%20Its%20Benefits.pdf
http://www.studymode.com/essays/Modern-Agriculture-100444.htmlhttp://www.studymode.com/essays/Modern-Agriculture-100444.htmlhttp://www.studymode.com/essays/Modern-Agriculture-100444.html