• Agribusiness: This is where farming is run like a business, usually for commercial reasons. It's characterized by large companies like Bayer and Cargill, which operate in multiple countries worldwide. Key points to remember:

  • Main aim: Maximize profit.
  • Key players: Large businesses such as Bayer (operating via 420 companies in 90 countries) and Cargill (operating in 70 countries).

• Impacts of Agribusiness:

  • Heavy use of fossil fuels.
  • Destruction of habitats, loss of biodiversity.
  • Pollution, including eutrophication and soil degradation.
  • The shift from small farms to larger farms.
  • The replacement of farm workers with machines.

  Real-World Example: Consider the cornfields stretching as far as the eye can see in the American Midwest - these are examples of large-scale farms run by agribusinesses.

• Organic Farming in MEDCs: A growing trend in response to environmental concerns.

  • Increased sales of organic food since 2010.
  • Improved animal welfare practices (e.g., a growth in the number of free-range pigs and chickens produced).

  Real-World Example: The rise in popularity of organic food chains like Whole Foods Market in the U.S. is indicative of this shift towards organic farming.

• Shifting Cultivation: This is a type of subsistence farming where farmers grow a variety of crops (polyculture).

  • Usually practised where population density is low.
  • Common crops include cassava and yams.
• Cultural Considerations: Many of those who practice shifting cultivation are animists, believing that everything (trees, places, animals) contains a spirit or soul, thus they respect all living things.

Real-World Example: Indigenous tribes in the Amazon Rainforest often practice shifting cultivation, showing respect to nature by rotating their crops and preventing soil exhaustion.

These are some of the key concepts in food production systems. Remember, no single approach is 'the best'. Each has its advantages and disadvantages, and the choice often depends on a variety of factors such as location, economy, culture, and environmental awareness.