Industrial Agriculture vs. Sustainable Agriculture

Do you ever wonder what is inside a burger? Tomatoes, lettuce, cabbages, and onions made freshly grown from the field, a bun made from wheat, and a patty made from the meat of a cow. All these products are what we see in everyday life. However all these products are seen on the fields and farms and not anywhere else. This is where industrial agriculture comes in. Sustainable agriculture is the practice of farming without any machines, just natural methods. This method is better for the environment, animals, and consumers. Do you believe industrial agriculture is better as it feeds the population and a rapid rate or industrial agriculture that sustains biodiversity?



Industrial Agriculture



There are many benefits to industrial agriculture as it allows us to buy cheap food and to make cheap food for a growing population. However, it causes a drastic effect on the environment. Pesticides are used causing an effect on the oceans, lakes, and rivers. Other than contamination, there is also contamination in the food. There are many deaths that lead to food contamination because of the improper way of treating the animals. Farmers worry more about their farm rather than the health of humans. Many pesticides are used as they can be an increase of cancer.

A sustainable agriculture also has its benefits as it helps the environment. Little or no pesticides are used and are replaced by animal manure. This helps the environment, however, would not be able to satisfy the needs of everyone. There are many countries around the world that sustain poverty and would not have access to food. With this, we must be able to provide food for everyone.

Sustainable Agriculture

By now you should be wondering what should be better for our society. Sustainable agriculture helps out our environment but does not satisfy everyone because of slow production, making it no be able to keep up with everyone. Industrial agriculture helps out everyone with the fast production of food but destroys the environment. Many people are heading towards industrial agriculture rather than sustainable agriculture for many reasons. One of the reasons is that sustainable agriculture isn’t fast and efficient enough. Another reason is that industrial agriculture takes up a lot of space as it can save time and efficiency. Also, taking care of a large area is hard labour with minimum pay. Technology today is proven to be better and successful. So what side are you on?

References:

http://scienceblogs.com/worldsfair/2009/05/industrial_agriculture_v_susta.php

http://www.ucsusa.org/food_and_agriculture/science_and_impacts/impacts_industrial_agriculture/industrial-agriculture-features.html

http://www.economywatch.com/agriculture/types/industrial.html

Photos I used:

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