Question

Discuss the effects of traditional intensive cropping versus alternative cropping systems on soil erosion:

Answer 1

Alternative cropping systems tend to have fewer adverse environmental effects and are controlled by small-scale farmers or subsistence farmers. In contrast, conventional farming is characterised by monocropping, green revolution technologies, and synthetic fertiliser. It is resource intensive in terms of capital, land, water, and fossil fuel use. Conventional farming threatens future food production by reducing biodiversity, and contributing to environmental degradation and climate change which lower yields.