One subject examined in the documentary The Future of Food is industrial farming. Our food is controlled by industrial farmers since organic farming and farming with the help of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) is gaining ground in some of the developed nations and being adopted in the developing nations. Thanks to technology invented largely by the industrial sector, farming around the globe has changed for the better.
Tractors for tilling the land, harvesting machines, machines to sort the produce (Sortex), storage and packing mechanisms are among contributions made by the industrial sector. But, industrial farming does come with its own dose of threats to communities, particularly those that are in the immediate vicinity of the enterprise.
While the future of food ought to be a major concern for all of us, the potential threats posed by industrial farming cannot be ignored. Industrial livestock farming can be particularly challenging for the residents closer to the farms.
The numerous threats posed to residents in areas surrounding industrial livestock farms include increase amounts of animal waste, improper/inadequate waste disposal, pollutants in the air from vehicles and gaseous substances, dead animals, and unprocessed animal skin. Water pollution is also a serious threat to residents and traditional farmers in nearby areas. Another thing held against livestock farming is that it centers on one area of farming that is riddled with potential risks.
Many will argue the benefits of industrial farming, though. The most obvious benefit is the economic affect of industrial farming. Traditional farmers cannot generally find the capital to invest in equipment or technology the way that industrial farmers are able to.
Investors and bankers are motivated to invest more money because the size of industrial farming outfits lead them to expect decent returns on their investments. The consumer benefits from lower prices on the product.
Given the conflicting position of industrial farming, it could be up to the policy makers to evolve an environment where the benefits of industrial farming can benefit the future of food without compromising the health and environmental issues of communities around the industrial farms.
Tractors for tilling the land, harvesting machines, machines to sort the produce (Sortex), storage and packing mechanisms are among contributions made by the industrial sector. But, industrial farming does come with its own dose of threats to communities, particularly those that are in the immediate vicinity of the enterprise.
While the future of food ought to be a major concern for all of us, the potential threats posed by industrial farming cannot be ignored. Industrial livestock farming can be particularly challenging for the residents closer to the farms.
The numerous threats posed to residents in areas surrounding industrial livestock farms include increase amounts of animal waste, improper/inadequate waste disposal, pollutants in the air from vehicles and gaseous substances, dead animals, and unprocessed animal skin. Water pollution is also a serious threat to residents and traditional farmers in nearby areas. Another thing held against livestock farming is that it centers on one area of farming that is riddled with potential risks.
Many will argue the benefits of industrial farming, though. The most obvious benefit is the economic affect of industrial farming. Traditional farmers cannot generally find the capital to invest in equipment or technology the way that industrial farmers are able to.
Investors and bankers are motivated to invest more money because the size of industrial farming outfits lead them to expect decent returns on their investments. The consumer benefits from lower prices on the product.
Given the conflicting position of industrial farming, it could be up to the policy makers to evolve an environment where the benefits of industrial farming can benefit the future of food without compromising the health and environmental issues of communities around the industrial farms.
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