5.7 Spatial Organization

Which of the following is a reason for the evolving agricultural landscape.

• The decline in small family farms

• The expansion of farmland into previously forested areas

• The reduction in crop variety

• All of the above

Which of the following best describes the characteristics of agribusiness?

• It involves small-scale production of agricultural goods.

• It only involves the retail of agricultural goods.

• It is owned by local businesses.

• It involves various steps of production in the food-processing industry and is often owned by transnational corporations.

Answer explanation

What is vertical integration in the context of large-scale farms?

• The consolidation of family farms into agribusinesses.

• The shift of family-owned farms to a corporate operating model.

• The ownership of other businesses involved in the steps of producing a particular good.

• The elimination of many small-scale farm operations.

Answer explanation

What is the advantage of practicing economies of scale on large-scale farms?

• Increase in efficiency to lower the per-unit production cost.

• Practice monoculture to increase profits.

• Purchase new equipment to increase the size of the farm.

• Decrease revenues and increase expenses.

Answer explanation

What is the reason why it is difficult for family farms to compete with large-scale farms?

• Large farms are more likely to use outdated technology.

• Family farms are unable to practice monoculture.

• Large farms have significantly cheaper costs per-unit production.

• Family farms are more likely to receive funding from the World Bank.

Answer explanation

What advancements enabled the transformation of agriculture and the global connection between producers and consumers?

• The use of traditional farming techniques and local markets.

• The expansion of family-owned farms and the elimination of large-scale farms.

• The adoption of Green Revolution technology and the use of monoculture.

• Advancements in biotechnology, mechanization, transportation, and food preservation.

Answer explanation

What is a commodity chain?

• A process used by corporations to gather resources, transform them into goods, and then transport them to consumers.

• The process of selling goods directly to consumers without the involvement of middlemen.

• A system used by governments to regulate the production and distribution of goods.

• A method used by farmers to sell their crops and animals at a premium price.

Answer explanation

What is carrying capacity in agriculture?

• The number of people that a country can support given the available resources.

• The number of people that a farmer can feed with their current resources.

• The number of animals that can be raised on a farm without causing damage to the environment.

• The amount of land that a farmer can cultivate given the available resources.

Answer explanation

Which of the following is not an example of technological advancements in agriculture?

• Use of fertilizers

• Selective breeding programs

• Biotechnology

• Use of wind turbines for energy production

Answer explanation

What are cool chains?

• Chains made of cool colors

• Transportation networks that keep food warm throughout a trip

• Transportation networks that keep food cool throughout a trip

• Chains that keep food fresh by adding preservatives

Answer explanation