Welcome to Production, Location and Change!
In this chapter, we explore how humans produce the two things we need most: food (agriculture) and goods (industry). We will look at why farms and factories are located where they are, how they function like "systems," and how they change over time to meet the needs of a growing world. Geography isn't just about maps; it's about understanding the "why of where!"
7.1 Agricultural Systems and Food Production
Think of a farm as a giant outdoor factory. Just like a factory, it needs things to start with, it does work, and it produces a result. This is what we call an agricultural system.
The System Model
Every farm has three main parts:
1. Inputs: These are things put into the farm. They can be Physical (sunlight, rain, soil) or Human/Economic (seeds, fertilizer, labor, money).
2. Processes: This is the actual work happening on the farm, like ploughing, sowing, harvesting, or milking.
3. Outputs: The final products, like wheat, meat, or milk. Negative outputs can also occur, such as soil erosion or pollution from chemicals.
Types of Farming
To keep things simple, we categorize farms into pairs:
Arable vs. Pastoral: Arable is growing crops (like corn); Pastoral is raising animals (like sheep). If a farm does both, it is called Mixed.
Subsistence vs. Commercial: Subsistence farmers grow food mainly to feed their own families. Commercial farmers grow food to sell for a profit.
Intensive vs. Extensive:
- Intensive: A lot of "input" (money or labor) is used on a small piece of land. Think of a small greenhouse filled with expensive sensors and plants.
- Extensive: A small amount of "input" is spread over a very large area. Think of a massive cattle ranch in the Outback of Australia.
Quick Review: Remember that "Intensity" is about how much work/money you put into each square meter of land!
Land Tenure
Land tenure is just a fancy way of saying "who owns or controls the land." This is important because a farmer who owns their land is more likely to invest money into improving it than a farmer who is just renting or "sharecropping" (giving a portion of crops to the landlord).
7.2 The Management of Agricultural Change
As the world population grows, we need to produce more food. Governments and scientists try to manage this change through several methods.
The Green Revolution
Don't let the name fool you—it's not about being "eco-friendly." It was a massive increase in food production (especially in LICs like India) starting in the 1960s. It relied on:
- HYVs (High Yielding Varieties): "Miracle seeds" that grow much faster and produce more grain.
- Irrigation: Controlled watering of crops.
- Chemicals: Massive use of fertilizers and pesticides.
The Problem: While it saved millions from starvation, it was expensive. Rich farmers got richer, while poor farmers who couldn't afford the seeds and chemicals fell into debt.
Other Management Strategies
Land Reform: This involves redistributing land from wealthy landowners to poor, landless farmers to make production more equal and efficient.
Agribusiness: Large corporations taking over the food supply chain, from seeds to the supermarket shelf.
Key Takeaway: Agricultural change is usually driven by the need for food security (ensuring everyone has enough to eat) and profit.
7.3 Manufacturing and Service Industry
Just like farms, factories are systems with inputs (raw materials, energy), processes (assembly, melting), and outputs (the finished product and waste).
Classifying Industry
Secondary Sector: This is manufacturing—taking raw materials and making them into something else (e.g., turning iron ore into a car).
Tertiary Sector: This is the service industry—selling skills or time rather than a physical product (e.g., teachers, doctors, or bus drivers).
Quaternary Sector: High-tech research and development (e.g., software design or biotech).
Where do we put the factory? (Location Factors)
Why is a car factory in one city and a software company in another? Business owners look at several factors:
1. Raw Materials: If the materials are heavy (like coal), the factory stays close to the mine to save on transport costs. This is called a Weight-Losing Industry.
2. Market: If the final product is fragile or gains weight (like bottled soda), the factory stays close to the people buying it. This is a Weight-Gaining Industry.
3. Labor: Does the factory need many cheap workers (labor-intensive) or a few highly skilled engineers?
4. Transport: Proximity to ports, railways, or highways is vital.
5. Government Policy: Governments often offer "tax breaks" (discounts) to encourage companies to build in certain areas.
Memory Aid: Use the acronym L.A.M.P. to remember location factors: Labor, Access/Transport, Market, Power/Raw Materials.
7.4 The Management of Industrial Change
Industrial locations are not permanent. Over time, industries move or change due to globalization and government intervention.
Industrial Policy
Governments try to attract industry to create jobs. Two common ways are:
- Industrial Estates: Areas of land specially cleared and equipped with power and roads to attract businesses.
- EPZs (Export Processing Zones): Special areas (usually in LICs/MICs) where companies can import materials and export goods without paying high taxes. This encourages foreign companies to set up shop.
The Shift to the Informal Sector
In many developing cities, the "Formal Sector" (official jobs with contracts and taxes) cannot provide enough work. This leads to the Informal Sector.
- Examples: Street vending, shoe shining, or small-scale recycling.
- Characteristics: No taxes, no legal protection, low pay, but very easy to start for the poor.
The Impact of New Technology
As technology improves, we see deindustrialization in some places (factories closing because robots took the jobs or the work moved to a cheaper country) and the growth of high-tech "clusters" in others.
Quick Review:
- Weight-losing industry = Located near raw materials.
- Weight-gaining industry = Located near the market.
- Footloose industry = Can be located anywhere (usually high-tech)!
Final Encouragement
Don't worry if the distinction between "intensive" and "extensive" or "formal" and "informal" feels a bit blurry at first. Just keep asking yourself: "What are they putting in, and what are they getting out?" If you can answer that, you understand the system!