Syllabus Edition
First teaching 2015
Last exams 2025
Links Between Social Systems & Food Production Systems
Written by: Alistair Marjot
Reviewed by: Bridgette Barrett
Factors Influencing Food Production Systems
Factors Influencing Choice of Food Production Systems
There are many different factors that influence the choice of food production systems
These factors interact and vary across regions and countries, leading to diverse food production systems
Food production reflects a combination of socioeconomic, cultural, ecological, political, and economic influences
Socioeconomic Factors
Higher-income countries tend to have a higher demand for meat and processed foods due to increased purchasing power
Urbanisation and the associated lifestyle changes impact the demand for convenience foods and processed products
Lower-income countries may rely more on traditional subsistence farming methods due to limited resources and access to technology
Cultural Factors
Cultural preferences for specific crops or livestock can influence the selection of food production systems
For example, in predominantly vegetarian cultures, such as India, the choice of food production systems may prioritise plant-based agriculture
Religious or ethical beliefs may influence preferences for organic, vegetarian, or sustainable food production methods
Ecological Factors
Natural resources, such as land availability, climate conditions, and water availability, determine the suitability of specific food production systems
For example, in areas with limited water resources, such as arid regions, food production systems may focus on drought-resistant crops and efficient irrigation techniques
Regions with rich biodiversity may prioritise sustainable farming methods to protect ecosystems and preserve native species
Political Factors
Government policies promoting organic farming or providing subsidies for certain crops can influence the choice of food production systems
For example, the European Union's Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) includes financial support for farmers who adopt organic farming practices
This policy encourages farmers to choose organic food production systems by providing incentives and subsidies
Import and export regulations and trade agreements can affect the availability and affordability of specific food products
For example, the United States has import restrictions on certain agricultural products to protect domestic farmers
Restrictions on imported sugar can affect the availability and affordability of specific food products, influencing the choice of production systems within the country
Food security and self-sufficiency goals may drive policies favouring certain production systems
For example, in Japan, the government has implemented policies to promote self-sufficiency in rice production
This includes subsidies and support for rice farmers, as rice is considered a staple food and maintaining domestic production is seen as crucial for food security
These policies therefore favour rice production systems in Japan
Stephen Morrison/Africa Practice, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
A Malawian woman husks corn in her village on the outskirts of Lilongwe, Malawi. MEDCs use their expertise and experience to help improve food security in African countries
Economic Factors
Cost-effectiveness, profitability, and market demand influence the choice of food production systems
Global trade dynamics and market forces can shape the competitiveness of different production methods
For example, countries with a strong agricultural sector may prioritise large-scale industrial farming for export purposes
On the other hand, small-scale sustainable farming may be more economically viable in regions with limited resources
Availability of Land
As the human population grows, the demand for food increases, putting pressure on available land for food production
Urbanisation leads to the conversion of agricultural land into urban areas, further reducing the availability of land for food production per capita
Soil degradation, caused by factors like erosion, nutrient depletion, and pollution, reduces the fertility and productivity of agricultural land, limiting its capacity to support food production
Historical and predicted arable land per capita
Efficiency of Terrestrial Food Production
Increasing the yield of food per unit area is crucial to meet the growing food demand
Plant-based food production, such as grains, vegetables, and fruits, often yields greater quantities of food per unit area compared to animal-based food production.
In general, lower trophic levels, such as plant-based food production, generally have higher yields compared to higher trophic levels like meat production
Energy efficiency is greater in a plant-based diet compared to a meat-eating diet due to several factors:
Trophic Levels
Energy is lost at each trophic level moving up the food chain
When we consume plant-based foods directly, we bypass the energy loss associated with raising animals for meat
By consuming plants (the primary producers) directly, we utilise energy more efficiently
Feed Conversion Efficiency
Animals raised for meat require significant amounts of feed to grow and develop
However, a large portion of the energy from the feed is used for the animals' own bodily functions and metabolic processes, rather than being converted into edible biomass
This inefficiency in feed conversion results in higher energy losses when obtaining nutrition from meat
Land Use Efficiency
Producing meat requires vast amounts of land for grazing or growing animal feed crops
This land could otherwise be used more efficiently to cultivate plant-based foods directly for human consumption
By consuming plant-based foods, we optimise land use and reduce the energy required for livestock farming
By focusing on lower trophic level food production, such as promoting plant-based diets and sustainable farming practices, it is possible to maximise food production per unit area, at the same time mitigating the pressure on land resources
Efficiency of meat-based vs plant-based terrestrial food production systems
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