Food Production

Crop Production

Farmers can increase crop production by identifying factors that limit growth like light, temperature, mineral ions and CO2.
Photosynthesis requires light, temperature, carbon dioxide (CO2), and chlorophyll. Insufficiency in any of these factors can limit the rate of photosynthesis, thereby limiting plant growth.
Insufficient mineral ions such as nitrates can also affect plant growth. Nitrates are necessary for the production of proteins and hence cell growth.
Fertilisers can be used to supplement the soil with essential mineral ions and enhance plant growth.
Excessive use of fertilisers can lead to eutrophication, a condition where water bodies become overly-enriched with nutrients leading to extensive growth of algae and other plant life. This can harm other aquatic organisms.
Pests can also limit plant growth. Pesticides can be used to control these pests, but they must be used sparingly as they can harm other organisms and the environment.
Selective breeding and genetic modification are other techniques used to enhance crop yield and disease resistance.

Selective breeding can be used to improve the meat and milk yield of livestock.
Animal feed can be enriched with proteins to increase growth rate. The feed can also be adjusted to optimise the meat-to-fat ratio.
Hormones can be used to increase milk yield in dairy cows but their use raises ethical and safety concerns.
Animals may be kept indoors in high-density settings (intensive farming) to increase yield and control feeding. However, animal welfare can be a concern in these setups.
Disease can seriously affect livestock yield. Quarantine, vaccination, and culling are effective methods of disease control.

Overfishing threatens the biodiversity of seas and oceans. Sustainable fishing methods like using fishing quotas and minimum net sizes help protect fish populations.
Aquaculture, the farming of fish, is a growing food production industry and can alleviate the pressure on wild fish stocks.
Selective breeding and genetic modification are used to increase yield and resist disease in farmed fish.
High-density fish farms can lead to the spread of disease and cause environmental damage if not managed responsibly.
Waste from fish farms can cause nutrient pollution, which can lead to the overgrowth of algae and reduction of oxygen in water bodies, adversely affecting other aquatic life.
Ethical concerns about fish welfare need to be considered in aquaculture.