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Explore National Geographic. A world leader in geography, cartography and exploration.

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https://genographic.nationalgeographic.com/development-of-agriculture/

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The benefits of planting trees and finding faster growth formulas can help produce more fresh oxygen faster

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As climate leaders gather in Paris for the 21 st Session of the Conference of Parties (COP21), farmers and food leaders are paying close attention to negotiations, which will determine how global environmental policy will continue to affect the food system.

Alongside COP21, other workshops such as the 2015 Global Landscapes Forum (GLF Paris) will take place. The agenda for GLF Paris includes indigenous land rights, agroforestry, international trade and biodiversity, and tenure rights around the world.

Farmers are responsible for much of the world's land use and associated climate emissions, and are key partners in reducing the environmental impact of human activities. The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity (TEEB) is working to place a value on the invisible environmental services provided by farmers. TEEB for Agriculture and Food (TEEBAgFood) specifically examines the links between ecosystems and food, helping policymakers to understand the true worth of eco-agri-food-systems.

According to a study by Dr. Harpinder Sandhu, the economic value of ecosystem services-the benefits that humans derive from nature-could exceed the global costs of pesticides and fertilizers even if adopted on only 10 percent of farmland. And research from Trucost shows that organic farmers obtain significantly higher margins (ranging from US$1750 to 4536 per hectare) compared to conventional farmers (US$1585 to 2560 per hectare). Trucost is an organization that provides data to business clients to help firms understand their economic dependencies on natural capital.

True Cost Accounting (TCA) assigns value to the social, environmental, and health impacts of producing food. Unfortunately, despite many examples of positive externalities from agriculture, the farming sector as a whole incurs huge environmental, social, and health costs that exceed its global profits. TCA can help to rein in these negative externalities and help eaters, producers, businesses, and policymakers value the environmental and health benefits.

An interim report by TEEBAgFood, released December 6, 2015, presents evidence from feeder studies that identify policy options to support more sustainable practices in agriculture. By assessing economic tradeoffs and long-term environmental impacts, these studies have contributed to a better understanding of the most effective incentive mechanisms in the food system.

For example, the system of rice intensification (SRI) could cut environmental costs of rice farming in India by 25 percent while simultaneously increasing profits by 18 percent. And in Brazil, holistic grazing management, where cattle are penned in smaller paddocks to allow grassland to recover elsewhere, could reduce environmental costs by 11 percent due to increased carbon sequestration. Other feeder studies have focused on inland fisheries, maize, agroforestry, and palm oil through partnerships with the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization, Trucost, and the World Agroforestry Center.

"There's a cost to implicitly valuing the services nature provides at zero, or close to zero, or not factoring in how farming practices impact the land, the people that work it, and communities," says Alexander Müller, TEEBAgFood study leader. "We're incorporating the voices of stakeholders along the entire food chain, from farm to fork, as well as policymakers and those already involved in the movement towards a true cost accounting of food." Müller reported on the study findings with colleague Pavan Sukhdev, Special Advisor to the report, at GLF Paris, seeking to identify policy and economic drivers that can influence land use decisions.

The Global Alliance for the Future of Food, which is a coalition of foundations facilitating food system change, was one of the key funders for the interim report. "We can't afford taking a business-as-usual approach any longer," says Guillermo Castilleja, Chair of the alliance. "How we produce, distribute, and consume food will need to change if we want to address pressing global challenges like climate change, how to feed a growing population, and access to good food for all."

These TCA studies represent a new research focus for many food and agriculture organizations. FAO is also working to account for the full costs of food waste across the globe. Food Tank recently released a new TCA report, " The Real Cost of Food: Examining the Social, Environmental, and Health Impacts of Producing Food." And the Sustainable Food Trust works to develop solutions to food system problems through leadership and collaboration, communications and citizen engagement, and research and policy.

It's time to support a more ecological paradigm of agricultural intensification, rewarding leaders who act as environmental caretakers and incentivizing other farmers to follow in their footsteps.

Join the Conversation:

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Tiffany Finck-Haynes, Senior Food Futures Campaigner and Kendra Klein, PhD, Senior Staff Scientist at FOE

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The Costs and Benefits of Agriculture - Food Tank

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As climate leaders gather in Paris for the 21 st Session of the Conference of Parties (COP21), farmers and food leaders are paying close attention to negotiations, which will determine how global environmental policy will continue to affect the food system. Alongside COP21, other workshops such as the 2015 Global Landscapes Forum (GLF Paris) will take place.

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http://www.historyworld.net/wrldhis/PlainTextHistories.asp?ParagraphID=ayj

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http://www.encyclopedia.com/topic/History_of_Agriculture.aspx

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The over 200 Agricultural Societies are nonpartisan, grassroots, volunteer based organizations whose primary objective is to encourage an awareness of agriculture and to promote improvements in the quality of life of persons living in an agricultural community.

The Objectives of Ontario Agricultural Societies

The objectives of an agricultural society are to encourage an awareness of agriculture and to promote improvements in the quality of life of persons living in an agricultural community by:

Researching the needs of the agricultural community and developing programs to meet those needs

Holding agricultural exhibitions featuring competitions for which prizes may be awarded

Promoting the conservation of natural resources

Encouraging the beautifications of the agricultural community

Supporting and providing facilities to encourage activities intended to enrich rural life

Conducting or promoting horse races when authorized to do so by a by-law of the society

Not every society will be engaged in all of the activities listed, however all societies should be engaged in activities that encourage agricultural awareness and improve the quality of life of the persons living in their community.

Benefits From Ontario Agricultural Societies

Local and Provincial economies receive a direct benefit:

Agricultural benefits

Family appeal

Helps keep communities on the map

A sense of community is strengthened

Urban and rural communities alike can learn about agriculture

Development of Youth through Ambassador Programs, 4-H Clubs and Activities, Junior Farmers

Promotion of tourism

Provides opportunities in leadership

Other groups and service clubs realize fund raising goals through fair participation

Ontario Agricultural Societies through their activities, programs and services, deliver direct, indirect and induced benefit to the Ontario Government with great significance to the rural and urban population. The benefits include:

Strengthening the agricultural economy

Providing tax revenues

Increasing agricultural education

Increasing agricultural awareness

Providing entertainment

Strengthening rural life

Increasing and enhancing tourism

Providing rural and urban exposure

Strengthening the food chain

Agricultural Awareness

Ontario's Agricultural Societies are a nonpartisan medium through which new technologies can be shown and displayed to the general public. Annual fairs/exhibitions provide a means of educating the consumer as to how Ontario food is produced and delivered to the dinner table, "From Farm to Table". The agricultural fair provides agricultural awareness, education programs and 4-H and Jr. Farmer opportunities to encourage further youth involvement in agriculture and their communities.

The Societies provide an opportunity for individuals to develop their leadership and interpersonal skills as they progress through committees, to the executive and on the provincial boards. Many of these people are key leaders within the agricultural community and beyond.

Agricultural Volunteers Throughout Ontario

over 200 fairs in all areas on Ontario

4300 or more directors staffing these fairs

8200 service groups present or exhibiting

24,000 volunteers support the directors

4,500,000 or more attend on Ontario fair

3,000,000 dollars paid in prize money

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Objectives and Benefits of Agricultural Societies

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The over 200 Agricultural Societies are nonpartisan, grassroots, volunteer based organizations whose primary objective is to encourage an awareness of agriculture and to promote improvements in the quality of life of persons living in an agricultural community.

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Agriculture definition, the science, art, or occupation concerned with cultivating land, raising crops, and feeding, breeding, and raising livestock; farming. See more.

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1. the science or practice of farming, including cultivation of the soil for the growing of crops and the rearing of animals to provide food, wool, and other products

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Agriculture definition, the science, art, or occupation concerned with cultivating land, raising crops, and feeding, breeding, and raising livestock; farming. See more.