Factors affecting farming

2. Labour
Market
Distance
Technology
Government ( Political)
Capital (finance)
Transport

3. • In LEDC’S, such as India the farmers traditionally
used cheap labour instead of using expensive
machinery. However since the green revolution more
and more machines have been introduced- making farm
hands unemployed.
• Farms often only need extra labour at harvest time- this
work is seasonal- e.g. tomato picking in Guernsey.

4. • Irrigation and
machines are two
examples of expensive
technology which
increases yields
• Genetic engineering
allows new plants to be
grown, this reduces
diseases and droughts and
give higher yields
• Computer control technology in
greenhouses provide suitable conditions
for good quality crops
• The computer controls
moisture level, the temperature
and the amount of food that is
needed

5. • Yields will rise when farmers can afford to
invest capitals this creates more profits which
can be used for future investments
• Capital, the money the farmer has to invest in the farm,
this can increase some inputs such as fences and seeds

6. • Farmers grow crops that
are in demand such as
rubber plantation farmers
in Malaysia have switched
to oil as the demand of
rubber has fallen
• Farmers production
lines vary throughout
the year, this is due to
the demand on the
various crop grown
• Farmers who grow or have perishable goods
e.g. dairy farmers or market gardeners like to
be close to their markets – so goods can be
transported easily and goods do not perish.

7. • Governments
influence the
crops farmers
grow through
quotes and
subsides
• Government
and Poitical
Policies such
as the CAP
have a massive
impact on how
a farmer uses
the land.
• The CAP
means that
some farmers
are paid NOT
to farm their
land!

8. Climate
Relief
Soil

9. • The
temperature
has to be a
minimum of 6
degrees Celsius
and at least 250
– 500 mm of
rainfall in order
for the crops to
grow
• The length of the
growing season influences
the the crops grown for
example wheat needs 90
days
• Places that are too wet
or dry, too hot or cold are
not suitable for arable
farming.

10. • Lowlands such as
flood plains, are
good for growing
crops
• Steep slopes hinder
machinery and have
thinner soils- these
locations are often only
suitable for sheep
farming
• Dairy farms
locate on fairly flat
relief- as cows are
not very agile or
suited to steep
slopes!
• South facing slopes
receive more
sunlight- important
to know when
growing crops
• Temperature
decreases by 6.5
degrees Celsius
for every 1000m
gained in height

11. • Fertility is
important for
growing crops,
good quality soil,
means more inputs,
however poor soil,
means less inputs
• Flood planes are
good for crops because
of the alluvial soils
• Good drainage reduces
the dangers of water
logging
• Acidic soil- eg. In Dartmoor is no
use for growing crops.