Farm Education

GMOs are transgenic organisms carrying foreign genes These genes are from either a virus, bacteria, plants or even humans. They are meant to improve their genetic structure for beneficial purposes. The beneficial gene is identified and inserted into the plant whose genomic structure gets changed.

Pros and Cons of GMO

There is a lot of research in GMO’s. This due to the advantages involved with their use. However, they have certain disadvantages worth considering

Pros of GMO

1. Higher yield: As we know as the world population is increasing day by day and in this particular regard agricultural land is decreasing in order to meet shelter demand so GMOs are introduced to increase commodity number within same cropping area to feed a massive number or take control over famine.

2. Avoid food shortage: GMOs are designed to tackle the shortage of food and to produce food with better nutrient contents or to add extra nutrient and minerals which were not naturally existed in that particular food item or if exist the amount is very small so through GMOs the genes responsible for desired minerals, vitamins are inserted to increase from the original value just like fortification of iron content in chickpea so the poor people who could not use milk or other commodities for iron should meet their iron requirement cheaply by using fortified chickpea.

3. Increase shelf life: GMOs are designed to increase the shelf life of perishable food commodities which makes farmers possible to escape from postharvest loses which occurred due to perishability of particular food items and now it is much easier to distribute food to far off places within the country or even in other parts of world too which means more economic gains to state.

4. Minimize resource usage: GMOs use lesser resources as compare to NON-GMOs so by using genetically modified crops energy, soil nutrients and water can be conserved and the capital used is also conserved and it is relief for farmers.

5. Tackle drought: GMOs are designed to tackle drought problems as such plants are designed which grow as well in drought conditions or need very less water for growth and in this way that area is also cultivated which is water deficient.

6. Tolerate pests and other attacks: GMOs are more tolerant of pest, weeds and other hazardous effects so the capital use in terms of pest control, weeds is conserved which is also a relief to the farmer. GMOs are also beneficial as they produce their own pesticide as in Bt corn and Bt cotton as this gene is isolated from bacteria which toxin for harmful insect causing massive destruction in particular crops so in this way GMOs conserve plant varieties from extinction and also saved expenses of farmers used in terms of pesticides and through GMO the beneficial insects can also be saved as plant produce its own toxin which would otherwise kill during spraying of insecticides.

7. Mature faster: GMOs are designed to mature earlier than the usual time to escape the insect attack of that particular season and the crop duration is also decreased so both time and space are saved for the cultivation of another crop which significantly benefits farmer fiscally.

8. Conserve environment: GMOs are designed to conserve the environment and have the great effect on the environment as they need lesser farm operations thus inputs required for farm operations like burning of fuel and increase the content of carbon dioxide due to aerosol and fossil fuel burning can be avoided.

9. Minimize allergies: GMOs are designed to tackle allergies that occur due to some specific proteins and thus such proteins are removed from that particular genomic system and the product becomes acceptable to consumer and example of such practice is wheat as gluten-free wheat has been created.

10. Modulate taste, fragrance etc: GMOs are also designed to attain specific taste, color, aroma, and texture which is created according to taste of that particular place in order to made the product acceptable to consumer and example of such practice is golden rice in which a gene from carrot is isolated and inserted into rice which imparts golden color to it.

Cons of GM

1. Unsafe: GMOs are not considered safe for the environment as well as for humans and other living organisms its early outcomes seems pleasant and magical but they are quite hazardous and drastic. In short its short-term solution to a problem with long-term problems.

2. Unhealthy: GMOs are considered unhealthy for living organisms as they affect organs, gastrointestinal and immune system disorders and quick aging and infertility and the toxicity produced by GM crops found to be part of blood. The new unidentified genes if becoming part of the genomic system can show additive effect with already present gene and can produce the specific protein in surplus amount and shifts the system from normality than such disturbance could lead towards cancer.

3. Herbicide resistance: GMOs are designed to escape the effect of herbicides that are used to kill weeds which show competition with the main crop in terms of utilization of underground resources like nutrients and water but with passage of time weeds also pass through evolution process and it develop resistance against herbicides and thus more powerful herbicides and in more greater amount herbicides are used which ultimately increased extra burden on farmers pocket and moreover the residual effects toxic herbicides impart drastic effect to human health and cause various allergies and fatal diseases.

4. Enhance virus: GMOs are responsible for strengthening various viruses which have hazardous effects on crops and an example of such case is Bt cotton which is actually a GM crop is susceptible to cotton leaf curl virus whereas the previous Non-GM cotton crop have natural resistance against cotton leaf curl virus which is a major cause of cotton production demise throughout the world.

5. Superbugs: GMOs are considered responsible for creating super bugs as plants produce insecticides on its own then bugs also pass through the evolutionary process and they got to change their genomic structure in order to survive against such varieties and then come up with new strains having more resilience to factors responsible for their demise.

6. Decrease in biodiversity: GMOs are supposed to be responsible for decreasing biodiversity as due to the inclusion of GM crops the gene flow occur especially in the areas where crop is initially started to grow and thus the old natural wild-type gets sense from new ones and the gene pool got contaminated which very essential in case of an epidemic breakout then the previous genes or gene pools are required to tackle that problem and hence pest and weeds attain resistance moreover due monoculture cropping the natural ecosystem disturbs and equilibrium shifts from normality as farming community starts growing particular which is apparently more profit generating and moves towards that particular crop and hence due to demise of other crops the insects and organisms whose natural habitat are other crops star demising as well.

7. Affect Non-GMO’s: There is another concern about GMOs is that they pollute the Non-GMOs cropping pattern and do contamination of organic food as it is very difficult to limit GMO seed to the area where it is practiced to grow and it travels too far off places and does contamination.

8. Lack of freedom for usage: GMOs are mostly patented and secured by law so the farming community interested to grow GMOs have to sign an agreement which strictly bound them to take preventive measures to avoid contamination and the farmer who does not take preventive measures should be brought to court in case of breaching the agreement and the farmers are not allowed to grow F1 generation as well.

There is no impact of agriculture on the environment if it is done by natural methods.

Also one needs to remember that farming is not a business.

But, when done by the use of artificial methods and in a business mode will lead to adverse effects on the environment.

Besides the environment, it also affects the health of humans and other animals as they are directly dependent on it for food.

So, agriculture is one of the precious means of work and has to be done with ethics. If not it would affect the nature and also all the living beings.

Impact of Agriculture on Environment

1 Pollution

2. Deforestation

3. Contamination of food

4. Destruction of natural flora and fauna.

5. Decrease in ground water

6. Destruction of natural species

Pollution: Agriculture leads to three type of pollution like

1. Air pollution
2. Soil pollution
3. Water pollution

All these three forms of pollution are again due to a single cause. That is heavy use of chemical manures and pesticides.

Manures are the materials which are needed for the growth of crops and plants. They enhance the yield and support the health and vitality of the plant. But, these manures can be natural, organic or even chemical. Natural manures include house hold kitchen waste, poultry waste, farm animal excreta, and crop waste, growing of nitrogen-fixing algae, bacteria, etc.

All, the methods give nutrition to the plant to the fullest.

But in some countries, there is the use of human waste, chemical fertilizer use either due to poverty or misinformation. In the United States, Europe, and other countries, use of these artificial chemical fertilizers was in full swing in the past. But, due to the recognition of its effects on the soil and environment, this has been discontinued. However, this is still prevalent in some countries.

This use of chemical fertilizers may give instant results to the farmers regarding yield. But, in the long run, it destroys the soil natural texture and chemistry. The soil’s pH is changed; its ability to retain water, plant friendly microbes is lost. This leads to unhealthy plant crops leading heavy diseases and infections. To control this, farmers again use chemical pesticides which are mostly organophosphorus compounds or cyanide containing ones.

So, now the crop material is contaminated to pesticides too. During this use of pesticides, there is air pollution. Hence, farmers wear a face mask to avoid the chemical effects on them. But, this leads to air pollution, soil pollution. Further, if there are rivers beside, it can also lead to water pollution. Another interesting fact is, these pesticides do not get degraded faster. They tend to stay in the soil for longtime. Due to this, they could reach ground water and contaminate it.

The soil and crop are also contaminated with these chemical and can reach even humans through food.

Though the pesticides are intended to destroy plant pathogen, they also affect birds and other animals like rodents, reptiles living on the farm. Since birds eat the larva or insects; the pesticide poison even reaches their body and kills them. Sometimes this is heavy during their breeding and prevents the growth of their off springs. This leads to a decrease in birds and other animal population in the surroundings.

Deforestation: Large swaths of lands give more of crop yield. This is a tactic used to enhance agricultural revenue. So, farmers encroach nearby forests if any and cut down the trees. This is done to enhance the land size for cultivation. In doing so, in some countries, the forests area are drastically reduced than the minimum recommended 30% of entire land mass for forests.

Contamination of food: This is a huge problem, and its control is almost impossible. Farm products starting from milk, meat, vegetables, grain, etc., are contaminated. In spite of FDI and other regulatory body’s efforts to control the limits, still, they find their way into the human body. This food contamination can be in the form of hormones in milk and as pesticides in food.

Once, they get into the body; they alter the hormonal secretions and nervous system. Since these are vital body systems; the health of the individual is affected over time. However, this is not so problematic when fiber crops like cotton are grown.

Destruction of natural flora and fauna: Presence of flora and fauna is a part of nature. The soil has many microorganisms and other animals like earth worms living in it. Due to the widespread use of chemicals, this natural living system is affected. Bacteria in the soil tend to decay the waste and enhance the soil fertility. But when the pH is changed, they are unable to survive; this leads to the destruction of environmental diversity and balance.

The decrease in ground water:  Water for irrigation is mostly supplied by rains and also rivers. Due to deforestation, the rains are minimal. Due to this, farmers rely on tube well or bore wells to irrigate their crops using ground water.

When widely used, the ground water levels reduce. Hence, as per WHO, there is a decrease in ground water all over the world.

Destruction of natural species of crop:

Every region has its own set of plants like wheat and grain. Though they are same but species varies from one region to another. With, the entry of seed companies into the field, the natural species are getting extinct. The seed companies introduce the techniques of biotechnology to enhance disease resistance, drought resistance etc. In doing so, the farmers become dependent on these seeds. The natural seeds are extinct in many places. These seeds produced by company may give rise to high crop yield. But, the seeds from these crops are not strong enough to germinate if sown back in the soil for next crop. So, there is loss of natural species and also natural means of cultivation.

Agricultural science is a branch of science that deals with the production of food as well as fiber.

In simple terms, it is a multidisciplinary field in biology itself, which consists of the natural, and economic as well as social sciences that find the application in the understanding and practice of agriculture.

Agricultural sciences comprise research, development as well as a study on the following factors:

Plant Breeding and Genetics

Horticulture

Plant Pathology

Entomology

Soil Science

Production techniques (such as management of irrigation)

Minimizing the harmful effects of pests on the crop as well as animal production systems.

Improvement of productivity of agriculture in terms of both quantity and quality

Transforming the primary products into end-consumer products

Prevention as well as management of the adverse environmental conditions (such as degradation of soil, management of waste products, bio-remediation)

Theoretical production ecology that relates to crop production modeling

Traditional agricultural processes often termed as subsistence agriculture, which allows feeding most of the poorest people in the world.

Food production and demand on a worldwide basis, with a special eye to the major producers.

The major branches of agriculture are
To be very concise, there are five major branches as follows:

1. Agronomy
2. Horticulture
3. Agricultural engineering
4. Animal science
5. Agricultural economics

Agronomy: Agronomy is the science that uses several applications of biology, economics, chemistry, ecology, water science, soil science, pest management, genetics, etc. to improve and manage the main food crops of the world.
It is quite different from the plant sciences of pomology, horticulture, range science, and such types of applied plant sciences. Agronomic crops are those crops which occupy a large area and form the bases of the food production systems of the world, which are often mechanized. Examples include rice, wheat, corn, alfalfa, soybean, and forage crops, sugar beets, beans, canola, cotton, etc. They are also sometimes called ‘field crops’. They comprise a large majority of the agricultural acreage as well as crop revenue.
Agronomy is the science that views agriculture from an integrated and holistic perspective, imposing a practical decision that pertains to food production.
Agronomy takes into consideration the entire range of influences on crop production, which typically includes climate as well as adaptation, soil, water availability, the typical properties of the soil and also mentions how the soil will interact with the growing crop.
Agronomy considers how to grow the crops effectively and profitably and also helps in the conservation of natural resources and protection of the environment.
It requires the combined integration of many sciences, including collaborations among various diverse fields, which includes the soil, plant, or weed sciences. It also involves disciplines like ecology, climatology, economics, and entomology. Methods of effective crop production are included with scientific research and hence are by nature evolving and improving.

Horticulture: Horticulture is the science which also includes the art of growing plants (vegetables, fruits, flowers). Horticulture also includes the restoration of a landscape, conservation of plants, management of soil, construction of landscape, maintenance.

Horticulture does not consist of animal husbandry or large-scale production of crops
Horticulturists use their skills, knowledge, and technologies in order to grow plants intensively for human consumption and non-food uses and also for personal and social needs. Their work includes the propagation of plants as well as cultivation. The main objective involves the improvement of plant growth, nutritional value, quality, yields, and resistance to diseases, insects, pests and environmental issues. They do their work in the form of designers, therapists, gardeners, growers, and technical advisors related to sections of horticulture like the food and non-food sectors. Horticulture also refers to the growing of plants in a garden or in the field.

Agricultural Engineering: It is the discipline in engineering that involves the study of agricultural production as well as processing. Agricultural engineering combines the disciplines of civil, mechanical electrical and chemical engineering principles with knowledge of agricultural principles according to technological principles. A major objective of this discipline is to improve the efficacy as well as the sustainability of the various agricultural practices

Animal Science: The field of animal science relates to animal and livestock breeding (poultry), behavior, growth, and management. Animal scientists explore humane ways to treat animals. It also helps to develop some better methods to process animal products necessary for human consumption.

Agricultural economics: Agricultural economics is the branch of applied economics that deals with the costs of forming. It includes the tools of both microeconomics and macroeconomics and utilizes them to solve issues in a particular area. With the inflation of food rising and agricultural disputes increasing, the subject has less often been so topical. In a nutshell, agricultural economics is basically the systematic study of the allocation, utilization, and distribution, of the resources, put to use, along with the produced commodities, with the assistance of farming. At the micro-level, the production functions and the relationship between labor and capital need to be understood. On the other hand, at the macro level, the subject actually makes a detailed study on the various ways governments decide in order to support the farmers.

Conclusion

In a nutshell, we can say that when the lion’s share of a country’s population is dependent on agriculture for its livelihood, the average incomes are low. However, when most of the people rely on the farm for their living, the health of the people would be good due to that lifestyle. This leads to a better environment and following natural methods of farming would lead to less input expenditure and higher return. Then the nation starts developing economically.
So, in order for a country to prosper agricultural science is of utmost importance. When you face any issue related to agricultural practices, then the best persons on the globe who will be able to help you out of your situation are the agricultural scientists.

Agriculture is one of the major contributors for economy of most countries.

It is the source of food and raw material for textile industries.

Agriculture sector has great potential for business as evident by emergence of many biotechnology and related industries.

It is an interesting subject to choose as a career option.

This is especially suited for those who like greenery, nature, plants and outdoor work.

There are many courses in the field of agriculture (branches of agriculture) and also many enthusiastic students who take up these courses.

List of Agriculture Jobs

1. In agriculture universities or universities with agriculture courses:

In agriculture universities present around your place of residence. The agricultural jobs include professors, lecturers for teaching under graduate and post graduate students. They also engage in research and offer PhD degrees.

There are also scientist jobs for various branches of study like soil & ground water analysis, plant pathology, breeding etc.

They also have technical jobs to help scientists and teaching professional in their practical work, and so they also recruit technicians.

The scientist jobs require post graduate or doctoral degree holder while technicians can be of graduate and below graduate level candidates.

2. In Agricultural Research Institutes:

There are many Research Institutes engaged purely in agricultural research in many countries. These research institutes have agriculture jobs in the form of scientists, technicians and administrative personal.

3. In private Industries:

There are many private industries in agricultural sector involved in seed production, manufacture of fertilizers, pesticides, making of farm equipment, horticulture, dairy etc.

 

They have agriculture jobs in the form of engineers, scientists, technicians, managerial personnel, etc.

4. In television sector:

This is quite interesting set of agriculture jobs if one has creative and good communication skills. There are few television channels which telecast agriculture related programs which involve methods of cultivation, improvements and any new developments in the field. The jobs include program planner, coordinators, scientists and anchors.

5. Marketing: These jobs require any science graduate and involves enhancement of sales of seeds, fertilizers, machinery of any particular company.

6. Banking: Many banks especially in rural areas are involved in providing agricultural loans (crop loans) to the needy farmers. For this they some agriculture jobs like field officers who evaluate the land or crops, their yield potential to decide how much of loan can be sanctioned to the farmers.

7. Agriculture jobs in Public sector: There are also few jobs in government sector like inspectors- to check seed quality, field officers-to advice and inform farmers regarding farming, new developments, officer to regulate proper provision and distribution of seeds to farmers, etc.

8. On field: If one is interested in farming, then they can find a career in cultivation. For this they need to hire a farm for it or get hired to cultivate for others.

This career of working in farms is quite peaceful and pleasant for many. This is also a place of work where you face least problems due to competition or politics. Also you can have your own working hours and schedules. Hence farming is considered as one of the noble professions.

9. Veterinary physician: This profession involves taking care of animals, birds and fishes of agriculture.

This job has more demand in dairy industry and also poultry farming.