These are a few of the problems that can pop up as a result of industrial agriculture.
Because of an increasing work population and the proportional demand for food, many farms utilize industrial agriculture. This method is the option of choice for many farmers because it yields a high production rate for food. It’s understandable that farmers would want to use a method that helps them grow as many crops as possible in the minimum amount of time. With that said, industrial agriculture is not without its shortcomings and drawbacks. These are a few of the problems that can pop up as a result of industrial agriculture.
Industrial Agriculture Causes Water Shortages
While there may be a lot of food output, there can be a decline in available water. Water is just as vital a resource as food, and produce requires water to grow, so it can be counterproductive trying to raise produce at the expense of water. If you’re looking to support the preservation of water, it may be better to look at other types of farming, such as those that exercise sustainable farming practices.
Industrial Agriculture Has Higher Energy Consumption
Industrial agriculture also consumes far more energy than other farming practices. Many fossil fuels get used to transport crops to their respective marketplaces, which makes a larger carbon footprint. The machinery used for industrial agriculture only furthers the amount of energy that gets used. This means that industrial agriculture has an adverse impact on climate change, as well.
Environmental Impact
Even the ground itself can be negatively impacted as a result of industrial agriculture. Often, the land will get overused. If land gets used too much for farming, it means the land won’t be suitable for farming in a few years. While there may be higher yields in the short-term, it limits the amount of land that can be used for farming later, which can negatively impact future generations.
Human Health Risks
Just like how pests can start building up immunities to chemicals, bacteria can also start developing these immunities. This means that bacteria puts humans at more risk. The quality of produce is put in jeopardy when bacteria are able to thrive, making it capable of potentially contaminating food products. Having more crops to offer is great, but it doesn’t do much good if the produce doesn’t live up to nutritional standards.
Baywater Farms Has The Right Produce For You
Baywater Farms is a family-owned and operated farm servicing Baltimore, Washington D.C., Maryland, Delaware beaches, and the Eastern Shore. Our company believes in promoting sustainable and organic farming practices. We are capable of meeting the demands of your produce distributor, restaurant produce supplier, CSA produce supplier, or wholesale produce supplier while maintaining the integrity and character of a small farm. When you work with Baywater Farms, you work with an experienced, ethical, and local farm dedicated to providing the highest-quality heirloom produce.