Form __ Geography B3 Note 3.
4
Subject: Geography Date: ____________________
Form: Time Allowed: ---
No. of Pages: Full mark: A
Name: _________________________________ Class: F.____ ( ) Mark: _____________
Unit 3.4 What are the major farming problems in China?
1
Form __ Geography B3 Note 3.4
What are the major farming problems affecting food production in China?
➢ Physical factors
A Physical limitations
• Only about 15% of China’s total land area is suitable for farming.
• The climate is extreme in some places (e.g. North and North-east China), winters are too cold and long and is too dry.
The growing season becomes shorter.
• The highlands and mountains in West China are not suitable for farming.
• Water shortages are serious in northern China.
B Frequent natural hazards
• Natural hazards (flooding, drought, and pests).
• Flooding occurs on flat land after long periods of heavy rain. Floodwater drowns crops.
• Drought occurs when there is a long period without any rain, or when rainfall is much lower than normal.
During drought, the soil is so dry than crops can’t grow.
• Pests, such as locusts 蝗蟲, will eat and damage crops.
Natural hazards can destroy crops and lower crop yields.
Crop failure may occur.
This causes economic loss and decreases the food supply.
➢ Human factors
I. Loss of farmland
A Urban development
• Railways, highways, residential buildings and factories have taken up large areas of farmland.
B Environmental pollution
• Mining, industrial development, urban development and the excessive use of chemicals.
These human activities release harmful gases, sewage and heavy metals.
These pollutants are toxic and cause air, soil and water pollution.
Polluted farmland is not suitable for growing crops.
This reduces the area of available farmland and lowers farm production.
C Soil erosion and desertification
• Marginal land is land that is not suitable for farming. (e.g. Semi-arid areas and grassland)
Semi-arid areas are the areas around deserts.
The climate is dry, and the soil is poor.
However,
People remove the natural vegetation there and grow crops.
Rearing livestock and cutting trees to obtain fuel wood.
This makes the original poor soil poorer.
Wind and water can easily carry away the topsoil.
Soil erosion occurs.
The land becomes unproductive.
This is known as desertification.
II. Shortage of farm labour
• Many jobs are created in the cities.
Incomes and living standards are higher in cities, many farmers and young people have moved from rural areas to urban
areas.
There is not enough farm labour for farm work.
2
Form __ Geography B3 Note 3.4
Exercise:
1. Figure 1a shows a city where the city is changed from a farmland.
Figure 1b shows a phenomenon occurred on a farmland.
Figure 1b
Figure 1a
(a) Refer to Figure 1a,
(i) Describe the change in farmland in this city.
(ii) State the cause and explain how it leads to the above change in (i).
(b) Refer to Figure 1b,
(i) What is the phenomenon shown in the figure?
(ii) What will be affected by the phenomenon in (i)? Explain briefly.
