Advantages and disadvantages of modern agricultural practices

Advantages of modern agricultural practices

Help the world to meet the increased food requirements.

Help farmers to increase the efficiency and reduce the number of natural resources like water, land and energy necessary to meet the world's food,  fuel and fibre needs.

Modern agricultural practices improve our affordability of food i.e.

Food prices are reduced
Increased food supply
Ensured food safety
Increased  sustainability and also
Produce more biofuels.

Disadvantages of modern agriculture practices

1. Soil erosion

The top fertile soil of the farmland is removed due to the excessive water supply which is required for the modern agricultural practices. This leads to the loss of nutrients from the soil hampered the productivity and again more and more fertilizers will be needed to make it support the plant growth.

2. Depletion of groundwater

Majority of water for irrigation comes from underground. More requirements of water for irrigation promote depletion of Water resources.

3. Contamination of water bodies

From agricultural fields, the nitrogenous fertilizers leach into the soil and finally contaminate the groundwater. When nitrate level of groundwater exceeds 25 milligrams per litre. It can cause a serious health hazard known as blue baby syndrome,  which affects mostly infants even leading to their death.

4. Salinity

Salinity refers to the increased concentration of soluble salt in the soil. It result due to intensive agricultural practices.

Salinity is caused by
1. water used for irrigation is containing more salt
2. The lands irrigates have salt deposits

5. Waterlogging

The stagnation of water on the soil in the upper layer is called waterlogging. In this situation as the plant root get submerged in water, they do not get enough air for respiration. Then it leads to low crop yield as well as low mechanical strength.

6. Eutrophication

Eutrophication means extra nutrition.

The fertilizers are used more quantity in modern agricultural practices. There is nitrogen and phosphorous in the fertilizers. This nitrogen and phosphorous will reach into the water bodies through the surface flow of water. These minerals in excess quantity lead to over growth of phytoplanktons in the water bodies.
This over growth is called  eutrophication. The after effects of eutrophication are :

1. It will lead to reduce the dissolved  oxygen in the water, which will cause death of fishes and other aquatic life
2. Undesirable taste, colour and odour,  reduces the acceptability of water for domestic use