PRT 2008PRT 2008

Lecture 3Lecture 3

Agricultural EvolutionAgricultural Evolution

IntroductionIntroduction

• The age of the earth is 4.6 billionsThe age of the earth is 4.6 billions

• Life form appeared 1 billion years agoLife form appeared 1 billion years ago

• First hominid hunters – 4 millionsFirst hominid hunters – 4 millions

• Human started farming – 12, 000 Human started farming – 12, 000 years agoyears ago

• Global agricultural evolution started in Global agricultural evolution started in 1650-18501650-1850

Cont.Cont.

• Rotation with legume and root cropsRotation with legume and root crops

• Employ scientific method in agricultural Employ scientific method in agricultural researchresearch

• Use of oil to increase yield and productivityUse of oil to increase yield and productivity

• Invent mechanized farm equipmentInvent mechanized farm equipment

• Set up food-processing industriesSet up food-processing industries

• Transfer of crops and animals from the land Transfer of crops and animals from the land originorigin

Agriculture in the Middle Agriculture in the Middle AgesAges

Much of the advancement was Much of the advancement was made by the Muslims (early 9made by the Muslims (early 9thth century). Started agricultural century). Started agricultural revolution based on 4 areas:revolution based on 4 areas:

4 key areas4 key areas

• IrrigationIrrigation

• Adopted scientific approach to Adopted scientific approach to farmingfarming

• Incentive driven approach – land Incentive driven approach – land ownership, labor rightownership, labor right

• Introduction of new crops and plant Introduction of new crops and plant varietiesvarieties

Modern agricultureModern agriculture

Started in 1950. Agriculture is so Started in 1950. Agriculture is so improved that yield per land unit improved that yield per land unit

was many times more than was many times more than before. Use of mechanization. before. Use of mechanization.

Improve productivity.Improve productivity.

Domestication of plants and animalsDomestication of plants and animals

• Domestication of species was the Domestication of species was the beginning of modern agriculturebeginning of modern agriculture

• It involves deliberate sowing (raising of It involves deliberate sowing (raising of animals) and managementanimals) and management

• Initial areas – Yangtze river, Nile, Central Initial areas – Yangtze river, Nile, Central Mexico, South Andes, Eastern USMexico, South Andes, Eastern US

Cont.Cont.

Domesticated plants/animals – Domesticated plants/animals – have favored traits and are have favored traits and are

preferentially raised or harvested preferentially raised or harvested and are re-sown and bred again. and are re-sown and bred again.

Over time these selections Over time these selections produced changes (genetically)produced changes (genetically)

Cont.Cont.

Domesticated animals provide Domesticated animals provide transport, food,transport, food,

Agriculture in motionAgriculture in motion

• Utilization of human laborUtilization of human labor

• Utilization of animalsUtilization of animals

• MechanicalMechanical

• ICTICT

• BiotechnologyBiotechnology

Traditional agriculture (values and Traditional agriculture (values and traditions)traditions)

• Found in the 3Found in the 3rdrd world. It does not exist in the US or Europe world. It does not exist in the US or Europe

• Use of agro-ecosystem. It is complex, comprising human, Use of agro-ecosystem. It is complex, comprising human, animal and crop. It is stable and sustainable.animal and crop. It is stable and sustainable.

• The art of production is passed down the generationThe art of production is passed down the generation

• The goal is produce enough food for the communityThe goal is produce enough food for the community

• Do not use big implement Do not use big implement

• Use of human and animal labor to control pest and diseaseUse of human and animal labor to control pest and disease

• Minimal use of inorganic fertilizerMinimal use of inorganic fertilizer

• Grow old variety Grow old variety

Modern agriculture (values and traditions)Modern agriculture (values and traditions)

• Use of modern technologies – remote sensing, Use of modern technologies – remote sensing, ICT, fertilizer, etc.ICT, fertilizer, etc.

• IntensiveIntensive

• Mass productionMass production

• Dependent on the use of chemicalsDependent on the use of chemicals

• Grow selected clone and varietiesGrow selected clone and varieties

• K-laborK-labor

• MonocultureMonoculture

• Do not bother about old values and traditionsDo not bother about old values and traditions

Slash and burn agricultureSlash and burn agriculture

• TemporaryTemporary

• Always on the moveAlways on the move

• Low yieldLow yield

• UnsustainableUnsustainable

Permanent agriculturePermanent agriculture

• Regarded as conventional agricultureRegarded as conventional agriculture

• Practiced widely in Malaysia – paddy, Practiced widely in Malaysia – paddy, rice, oil palm rubberrice, oil palm rubber

• This is modern agriculture This is modern agriculture

Religion in agricultureReligion in agriculture

• Islam encourages agricultureIslam encourages agriculture

• Chapters in in Quran – Al Baqarah, Chapters in in Quran – Al Baqarah, 22; Al Kahfi, 32-41, 45; Yaasin, 33-22; Al Kahfi, 32-41, 45; Yaasin, 33-36; Luqman,1036; Luqman,10

Influence of agriculture on the Influence of agriculture on the quality of lifequality of life

• New generation regard agriculture as a New generation regard agriculture as a businessbusiness

• Human being need food and fibersHuman being need food and fibers

• Agriculture products are trendy and satisfy Agriculture products are trendy and satisfy the need of the new generationthe need of the new generation

• Agriculture activities need to be checked Agriculture activities need to be checked from time to time to make sure it follows from time to time to make sure it follows the rulethe rule