Advantages and Disadvantages of Intensive Farming

Intensive Farming Definition

Intensive farming, also known as intensive agriculture, is an agricultural production system that uses a low fallow ratio along with high capital, labor and chemical fertilizers and pesticides.

Intensive farming has some both pros and cons. Here are the major advantages and disadvantages of intensive farming.

Advantages of Intensive Farming

The advantages of intensive farming are as follows.

1. High crop yield
2. Farmers can easily monitor the land and protect livestock
3. Produce from these farms has driven the cost of vegetables, fruits and poultry products down
4. Farming is more economical due to the smaller spaces needed
5. EPA has set regulations because of the intensive farming
6. Ability to meet the ever-increasing demand for food supplies

 

Disadvantages of Intensive Farming

There are also some disadvantages of intensive farming listed below.

1. Chemical pesticides, insecticides and fertilizers are used during intensive farming
2. Livestock are living in cramped and dirty conditions leading to infections and diseases
3. The environment is altered – forests destroyed and soil erosion affects the natural habitat of wild animals
4. Pesticides and insecticides also kill the beneficial insects
5. Fruits and vegetables from intensive farming are covered with pesticides
6. Cancer rates are increasing and research shows direct relation to intensive farming
7. Livestock and poultry are given growth hormones, this then passes to humans who consume the meat and poultry products

 

Alternatives to Intensive Farming

Here are some alternatives of intensive farming.

1. Organic Farming:  Organic farming is farming without the use of chemicals and pesticides. A truly organic farm uses natural products and good old fashioned hard work. Quality food is produced that will not harm the body.
2. Biological Control:  This is a tricky technique that involves the use of a predator to fix the pest population within the crops and livestock.
3. Hydroponics:  Plants are not grown in soil, but within water that contains nutrients that are dissolved. This takes place in a greenhouse. Diseases caused by soil organisms are eradicated.