The intensive farming of crops is an agricultural practice with higher levels of input (labour, fertilisers & capital) and output per unit of agricultural land area. In contrast, extensive farming uses small inputs relative to the land area being farmed.
In certain cases, the intensive farming of crops may have some disadvantages. However, due to the astonishing surge in growth of the global human population combined with the rapidly declining space available for agricultural land caused by climate change, a strong case can be made for growers to turn to intensive farming instead:
The intensive farming of smaller tracts of land makes it easier to monitor and maintain efficient crop growth. This, combined with more concentrated inputs result in higher crop yields.
Intensive crop farming is especially effective with commercial greenhouses. Various methods can be employed to control climate within a greenhouse to further enhance productivity. These include the use of greenhouse screens, evaporative pad and fan cooling systems and natural ventilation measures amongst others.
The controlled environments afforded by greenhouses make it possible to grow crops in unfavourable latitudes and for longer periods (e.g. during winter solstices), in some cases all year round, further boosting productivity.
Added to this, the fine-grained control made possible through the computerised automation of processes like irrigation, fertigation and climate control results in even higher productivity and quality crop yields. This kind of automation need not be expensive thanks to affordable and effective solutions on the market like the HortiMax-Go!
Although intensive farming requires higher farm inputs, the comparatively lower input (land space, equipment, etc) required per unit of food crop produced makes it more efficient and economical, increasing profits.
If done right, intensive farming produces comparatively much higher yields than the inputs invested into the farming operation. Smaller tracts of land also make it more cost effective to purchase, rent or maintain farmland.
These factors help to mitigate rising food costs to some degree, making fruit and vegetables more affordable and accessible to poorer communities.
The constant and rapid rise in the human population has placed a concerning demand on global food supplies. This, along with the ongoing deterioration of agricultural land, has led many to believe that intensive farming is the obvious viable solution with its promise of higher productivity and less land usage so long as it is done in a sustainable manner.
Although a case can be made that in certain instances intensive farming can have a negative impact on the environment through its potentially excessive use of agro-chemicals, this can be mitigated through:
Intensive farming through sustainable methods are: an important way of decreasing the amount of land needed for farming and slowing environmental degradation through processes like deforestation.
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Bosman Van Zaal has 90 years of experience in the development and construction of greenhouses and over 40 years' experience with technical systems for international horticulture.
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