The Disadvantages Of Intensive Farming
Intensive farming includes the use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, fungicides and insecticides. It is also associated with overpopulated animal farms, which are often associated with pollution and animal sickness. And even more disturbing is the fact that the majority of working farms use intensive farming. This means more chemicals on our plate at each meal. The major disadvantages of intensive farming are as follows: Intensive farming alters the environment in many ways. Large open fields are created to make the process more efficient. This often leads to soil erosion and a loss in the natural habitat for the animals that live on the farm land. The use of such massive amounts of nitrogen based fertilizers contaminates the area lakes and rivers, which ultimately comes back to us in some shape or form. Pesticides may kill the insects that destroy crops, but they also kill the good insects as well. Of course, it also gets passed onto us in the food we eat. Intensive farming of poultry, in particular has been the center of debate for years. Cruel and inhumane conditions for the animals mean sick birds, antibiotics and poultry and/or eggs that are not suitable for human consumption in many cases. Animal rights activists have been targeting this industry for decades without real success. So since you have heard the disadvantages, you must be thinking that there has to be advantages right? That depends on which side you play for, the agricultural industry or as a consumer. The only advantages of intensive farming are lower crop prices and a more efficient farming experience. You got it, if your only objective at the grocery store is to get the lowest priced foods, then you secretly support this industry. As dirty as that sounds, it is true. This is why so many more Americans are opting for organic and natural based products these days. If Americans would just be willing to pay a little bit more on the items they already buy, maybe intensive farming wouldn't be so lucrative. Let's say that you have two bags of apples at your favorite grocery store. One is a regular "Michigan grown" variety and the other is certified organic, both the same kind of apple. Which do you buy? Does it really make a difference? Yes, it does make a difference to a lot of people. The regular, Michigan grown variety is covered in an invisible pesticide residue that doesn't wash off, the organic apples is free from all chemicals. Purchasing the Michigan grown apple promotes intensive farming, purchasing the organic variety promotes small, home-town organic farmers that are having a hard time competing with the chemical giants. This all may sound dramatic, but if you care about our environment, and maybe more importantly, the health of you and your loved ones, supporting intensive farming practices should be prohibited in your home. |
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