Governments influence the crops farmers grow through regulations, subsidies and quotas. Markets vary throughout the year and farmers change their production to suit them.
rubber plantation farmers in Malaysia have switched to oil palm as the demand for rubber has fallen. Genetic engineering has allowed new plants to be bred that resist drought and disease and give higher yields.įarmers grow crops which are in demand and change to meet new demands, e.g. The computer controls the temperature, moisture level and amount of feed for the plants. Greenhouses, with computer-controlled technology, provide ideal conditions for high quality crops. Machines and irrigation are two types of technology that can increase yields. If a farmer can afford to invest capital, yields will rise and can create greater profits which can be used for more investment. machinery, fences, seeds, fertiliser and renewing buildings. tractors, harvesters and milking machines.Ĭapital, the money the farmer has to invest in the farm, can be used to increase the amount of inputs into the farm, e.g.
The farmers’ attitudes and level of knowledge are also important. Their decisions are based upon a range of social, economic and environmental factors. Farmers make decisions about what to grow, what animals to keep, the level and type of inputs and the methods they will use.