1. Politics
1.1. Government involvement in agriculture is frequently debated
1.2. In areas such as taxes and tariffs, policies constantly change to keep up with the most recent system of government
1.3. Issues of how much regulation the government should have over small farms is a pressing matter
2. Environment
2.1. Monoculture
2.1.1. People dependent on one crop- no longer variation in the gene pool Ex: Irish Potato Famine
2.1.2. Can harm other plants from possible gene crossovers
2.1.3. Insects lose food source if are pest resistant
2.1.3.1. Animals that eat these pests also lose their food source as insects die from lack of nutrients
2.2. Environmental Pressure
2.2.1. Water Pressure
2.2.1.1. Water needed to increase yield and money
2.2.1.2. Droughts occurring as all water used up for agriculture
2.2.1.2.1. Sahel experiencing drought since 1960s
2.2.1.2.2. Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan agriculture drying up Aral Sea
2.2.1.3. Climate Change is also drying up water sources
2.2.2. Desertification
2.2.2.1. More crops are planted in a field causing quicker depletion of nutrients
2.2.2.2. Overuse of water draining the groundwater and leaving dry
2.2.2.3. Because of this, lose arable land and need to find more land
2.2.3. Pesticides and other Chemicals
2.2.3.1. Chemicals are used on crops to increase yields
2.2.3.2. Chemicals can leak into water and ground harming animals who come in contact with them
2.2.4. Loss of Land and Habitats- to get more yield and more money need more land to grow
2.2.4.1. Lose native species to other plants that take over
2.2.4.1.1. Upsets balance of predators and prey
2.2.4.2. Deforestation- cut down trees for agriculture
2.2.4.2.1. Affecting Climate Change- Trees not taking out Carbon Dioxide
2.2.4.2.2. Loss of habitat for endangered species
2.2.5. Restrictions on these by the government can make it difficult to grow some cash crops
2.3. Resulting Poverty
2.3.1. Turn to activities that harm environment to obtain food
2.3.2. Ex: Poaching- illegal killing of endangered animals
3. Exporters vs. Importers
4. Government
4.1. USDA (United States Department of Agriculture)
4.1.1. Help owners of small farms remain financially stable
4.1.1.1. Crop insurance plans
4.1.1.2. Stabilizes agricultural business cycle
4.1.1.3. Farm Safety Net
4.1.1.3.1. Federal Farm Bill
4.1.1.3.2. Affects planted acreage, storage, and marketing decisions
4.1.2. Regulate inspections for non-edible cash crops
4.1.2.1. Ensure quality non-edible cash crops being sold to consumers
4.1.2.2. Set standards for the quality of crops
4.1.3. Oversee agricultural industry of the US
4.1.4. Manage crop prices
4.1.4.1. Ensure fair market for buying and selling non-edible cash crops
4.1.4.2. Allow small farms to compete against larger commercial farms
4.2. Policies
4.2.1. Taxes
4.2.1.1. Prices of farmland are heavily influenced by tax rates
4.2.1.1.1. Overheated market for farmland can hurt farm interest rates
4.2.1.1.2. High taxes can lead to discouragement of farming cash crops due to high land prices
4.2.1.2. Tariff tax rates
4.2.1.2.1. High tariffs on exported non-edible cash crops can discourage the selling and consuming of the crops
4.2.1.2.2. High tariff tax rates can cause barriers to market access, causing issues for small farmers in particular
4.2.1.2.3. Certain crops may have higher tariffs placed on them by the federal government, making the production of these crops significantly more difficult
4.2.1.3. Overall financial strain on owners of small farms and their production of crops
4.2.2. Transportation
4.2.2.1. Border policies
4.2.2.1.1. Border policies greatly impact the distribution of non-edible crops
4.2.2.1.2. Developed and developing countries have different restrictions on borders and movement in and out of the country
4.2.2.2. Roads and rivers
4.2.2.2.1. Roadways maintained using federal tax dollars affect the movement of crops
4.2.2.2.2. Extremely important that roads and rivers are maintained in order for non-edible cash crops to reach markets or selling places
4.2.3. Environmental conservation
4.2.3.1. Sustainability practices are set in place by federal governments to ensure the protection of the ecosystem
4.2.3.2. Can restrict some agricultural practices for non-edible cash crop growth
4.2.4. Restrictions on certain crops
4.2.4.1. Some of the most expensive and widest growing non-edible crops are also made illegal by many federal governments around the world
4.2.4.1.1. Cannabis (Hemp/Marijuana)
4.2.4.1.2. Coco (Cocaine)
4.2.4.1.3. Opium poppies
4.3. Sustainability
4.3.1. Governments control resources that aid in non-edible crop growth to ensure that sustainable resources are being utilized
4.3.2. Important to regulate sustainable agricultural practices so that the increasing demand for non-edible cash crops can be met
5. Economics
5.1. Developed Countries
5.1.1. Cash crops are sold exclusively for revenue
5.1.1.1. Imports from developing countries
5.1.1.2. Production of cash crops for domestic sale
5.2. Developing Countries
5.2.1. Cash crops are sold to supply the demand from developed countries
5.2.1.1. Small farms contribute to a much larger share of the GDP (Gross Domestic Product)
5.3. Effects of Globalization on Cash Crop Markets around the World
5.3.1. Concerns
5.3.1.1. Poverty → limited access to market
5.3.1.1.1. Inability to access arable land
5.3.1.1.2. Weak market institutions
5.3.1.1.3. Political isolation
5.3.1.1.4. Poor infrastructure
5.3.1.2. Crops in demand replace traditional and subsistence crops
5.3.1.2.1. Decrease in the number of crops for domestic consumption
5.3.1.2.2. Increased income for local farmers in developing countries leads to an overall increase in income inequality
5.3.1.3. Agribusiness and Commercial Farms
5.3.1.3.1. Small farms are bought out to satisfy the expansion of larger groups
5.3.1.3.2. Inability to conduct subsistence agriculture leads to food insecurity
5.3.1.4. Cash Crop Specialization
5.3.1.4.1. Income Loss
5.3.1.4.2. Oversaturation in the market
5.3.1.5. Increased prices of prime agricultural land
5.3.1.5.1. It is more difficult for small farmers to obtain land because prices are rapidly rising
5.3.2. Stimulation
5.3.2.1. Increased Productivity due to the Third "Green"Agricultural Revolution
5.3.2.1.1. Machines, fertilizers, hybrid seeds, other technologies
5.3.2.1.2. More intensive agriculture divided among more farmers
5.3.2.1.3. More crops per acre of land
5.3.2.2. Increased demand in foreign markets
5.3.2.3. Developed countries buy crops from developing countries
5.3.2.3.1. Over time, developing countries have an increased purchasing ability
6. 1 Hectare = 2.471 Acres
6.1. The worldwide average area of Small Farms is less than 2 hectares; the national average is based around differing levels of development and overall population distrubution
6.1.1. United States average = 178 hectares
6.1.2. Chinese average = 1 hectare
7. Largest Non-Edible Cash Crops
7.1. Coca (Cocaine)
7.2. Fiber Grains
7.2.1. Jute
7.2.2. Hemp/Marijuana
7.2.3. Cotton
7.3. Rubber
7.4. Oilseeds
7.4.1. Groundnut/Peanut
7.4.2. Canola Oil/Rapeseed
7.4.3. Flax/Linseed
7.4.4. Mustard
7.4.5. Nygerseed
7.5. Opium Poppy
7.6. Tobacco
8. Technology
8.1. Pre 18th Century
8.1.1. First agricultural revolution lead to use of wooden and stone farming tools
8.2. 18th Century
8.2.1. Factories started to produce farm machinery due to the second agricultural revolution which was part of the industrial revolution
8.2.1.1. First all-iron plow was made in the 1770s
8.2.1.1.1. Started shift towards other machines being produced that replaced or supplemented human labor such as tractors, combines, corn pickers, and planters
8.3. 19th Century
8.3.1. Technology that allowed for farther and faster transport of crops and livestock
8.3.1.1. Railroads, highways, and trucks enhanced transportation and allowed cattle to arrive at the market heavier and in better condition and crops to arrive without spoiling
8.4. 20th Century
8.4.1. Third agricultural revolution or green revolution occured in the 1960s where commercial farmers use scientific advances to increase productivity
8.4.1.1. Experiments were conducted in university laboratories, industry, and research organizations
8.4.1.1.1. The generation of new fertilizers, herbicides, hybrid plants, animal breeds, and farming practices = higher crop yields
8.5. 21st Century
8.5.1. Modern technology is used in the form of Global Positioning System (GPS) and satellite imagery
8.5.1.1. Global Positioning System (GPS)
8.5.1.1.1. Determines the precise coordinates for spreading different types and amounts of fertilizers
8.5.1.1.2. Monitors the location of cattle and other large grazing animals
8.5.1.2. Satellite imagery
8.5.1.2.1. Measure crop progress and yield monitors attached to combines to determine the precise number of bushels being harvested
8.5.2. A lot of small farm owners cannot afford more expensive, larger technologies such as combines and pickers which is why the US market is dominated by large farms