Topic Summaries

Strategies to increase food supply

IGCSE > Geography > CIE > IGCSE Geography Topic Summaries > Food supply > Strategies to increase food supply
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Weather hazards and atmospheric circulation

Tropical storm hazards

Responding to tropical storms

Hot desert ecosystems

Cold environment ecosystems

Glacial landscapes

Glacial landform processes

Water supply

Energy supply

  • Irrigation: artificially supplying water to crop roots to improve yield (e.g. drip irrigation for efficient water use, large-scale irrigation dams/canals).
    • Benefits: increases crop yields in dry areas.
    • Drawbacks: expensive initial costs.
  • Aeroponics and hydroponics: growing plants in air using nutrient-rich water sprays (aeroponics) or in nutrient water instead of soil (hydroponics).
    • Benefits: efficient use of space, fast growth, and year-round production.
    • Drawbacks: high initial costs and reliance on technology.
  • The New Green Revolution: focuses on improving yields in LICs through high-yield crop varieties (HYVs), better irrigation and fertilisers, and the use of GM (genetically modified) crops to resist pests and drought.
    • Benefits: increased food production and reduced hunger.
    • Drawbacks: environmental damage (e.g. soil degradation, water pollution) and inequality (small farmers may struggle to afford tech).
  • Biotechnology: use of genetic engineering to create crops with desirable traits (e.g. pest resistance, drought tolerance).
    • Benefits: higher yields, reduced need for chemicals, and improved nutrition (e.g. Golden Rice with added Vitamin A).
    • Drawbacks: ethical concerns, potential environmental risks, and reliance on large corporations.
  • Appropriate technology: simple, low-cost, and sustainable tools and techniques for LICs. Examples include treadle pumps for irrigation, and education on strategies like crop rotation or composting.
    • Benefits: affordable, easy to maintain, and environmentally friendly.
    • Drawbacks: require expertise and equipment that may not be available.

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