Why Agricultural Development Matters

Agricultural Development May 26, 2021

Cynthia Vespia

Writer

What is Agricultural Development?

Agriculture is a driver of communities. Many farmers are dependent on the sales made from agriculture so it is imperative that the conditions are adequate. In many rural regions, the seed supply and soil conditions are not fertile enough to promote proper farming conditions.

Agricultural development is a significant factor in providing the necessary conditions for farmers to reap a good harvest. This helps reduce poverty in certain countries. There are other reasons why agricultural development is so important including these facts.

The main source of raw materials- Sugar, cotton, and wood are all raw resources produced by agriculture. These raw materials have many uses in a variety of important industries. A country's economic health is directly linked to its possession of raw materials.

Important for international trade- A large portion of international trade is made up of agricultural materials. These raw materials are traded through international export. If the agriculture of a country is poorly developed it can interrupt the trading and cause financial impact.

Provides employment- Agriculture provides many jobs throughout the industry making it one of the largest areas of employment. Work can be found in farming, harvesting, or in technological areas such as work on farm equipment. Developing countries are dependent on the agricultural industry to keep unemployment rates low.

Tied to a country's development- The agriculture of a country is the main source of economic development. Between the import and export trade, healthy employment in the industry, and a national revenue boost the country sees economic growth. Focusing efforts that strengthen will speed up results that improve a country's development.

Creates a healthy environment- Proper agriculture methods have the ability to heal the land. When biodiversity is introduced into the soil it benefits the soil by making it healthier. This leads to less erosion, improved pollination, and more water conservation. All of these are benefits to the environment.

A food supply source- The most obvious and important benefit of sustained agriculture is that it produces a food supply the world over. Agriculture is the basis of all foods being eaten and the ingredients that make those foods. Countries that have food insecurity suffer from malnourishment and hunger. It's when agricultural development is flourishing that hunger is curbed.

A driver of technology- Maintaining a healthy agricultural system is so important that innovative technology has focused on this sector. Food scientists and farmers have come up with methods to increase crop productivity through software and gene manipulation. This type of agribusiness has helped to reduce the impact on the environment and maintain productivity.

Agricultural Development and Food Security

Rural or developing parts of the world are dependent on agriculture for the economy. The jobs created from the agriculture sector are the main income resource for over 70% of the population in these areas.

To keep the agricultural activity profitable there must be food security methods in place. A 2012 Conference on Sustainable Development saw the birth of the Zero Hunger Challenge by The UN Secretary-General. The challenge is focused on ending hunger and malnutrition.

With widespread support from government officials, members of state, and those in the private sector it calls to End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture.

The approach is meant to improve agricultural production through diversification, restoration of soil and degraded land, improvements to stock-rearing and more access to needs like controlled irrigation or quality seeding. By empowering small farmers the risks to food security will be curtailed.

What is Food Security?
Food security is having the ability and access to healthy foods. This means both physical and economic parameters are established to grant sufficient resources to the population.

True food security sees a family not live in fear of going hungry. Poverty has long been a factor of food insecurity. Continued aspects of food insecurity have had long-term effects on the development of communities. Prolonged exposure to limited food supplies creates malnourishment which increase risk of illness and reduce the advancement of cognitive learning.

In today's society over 800 million people all over the world suffer from hunger. A vast majority of them are farmers who own small land. They are dependent on agriculture to earn enough income for their family to eat. Over 75% of live in rural areas of developing countries. Agricultural development which brings growth to these specific sectors has been show to reduce growing levels of poverty.

The importance of developing food security for these areas is understated at best. With an expected population growth of over 9 billion in 2050 the current world food production can't handle it. Due to a scarce supply of natural resources available, there needs to be more efficient methods of dealing with these and other challenges.

Meeting the demands to ensure food scarcity does not go unresolved will take a concerted, long-term effort where food security strategies are developed which will help these developing countries feed their communities.

Recapping the Importance of Agricultural Development

Agricultural development is beneficial to planting crops, harvesting, and processing for safer food conditions.
Over 70% of the population in rural or developing areas depend on agriculture as a source of income.
Food security keeps agricultural development maintained and profitable.
Agriculture development is the root of all that goes on with food and to the restaurant industry. (No pun intended)