Account for the development of agriculture in a European region (not Ireland) that you have studied, with reference to any two of the following:
A European region I studied is the Mezziogiorno, a peripheral region of Italy. Through the following factors (name the two you will examine – I am covering all three) I will account for the development of agriculture in this region.
Relief
The relief of the Mezzogiorno limits the development of agriculture. The region is dominated by the Apennine Mountains. 85% of the land is classified as hill or mountainous. Almost half of the land is very steeply sloping restricting the use of modern machinery and in some places. As a result the farming is unproductive. Soil erosion from heavy rain has resulted in thin, infertile soil in the upland areas. Deforestation has worsened soil erosion hindering agricultural development. The underlying Limestone rock is permeable and does not retain the moisture needed for crops to grow. In the lower slopes the run-off of winter rains has resulted in waterlogged areas unsuitable for agriculture. One area of difference is the lower slopes of the area around Naples known as the Plain of Campania. Here, the volcanic ash from Mt. Vesuvius has created deep fertile soils. On the upper slopes sheep and goats graze. The lower slopes are used for the growth of vines, olives and citrus fruits. However, the relief of this area hinders the development of agriculture through the majority of the land.
Climate
The Mediterranean climate has had a major limiting effect on agriculture in this region. Summer drought is very common. Temperatures often exceed the average of 26 degrees. In addition summer rain is rare. Rain that does fall tends to be convectional rain. This rapid downpour of precipitation occurs too quick and heavy for soils to absorb valuable moisture. Evaporation and run-off occur. A high pressure belt moves across the Mezzogiorno during the summer further speeding up drought-like conditions. A warm, dry wind called the Sirocco blows in from North Africa. This arid wind increases temperatures, speeds up evaporation and severely hinders any agricultural development. Extra money is needed for irrigation schemes and this demand for money reduces the ability of the farmers to change or upgrade machinery or methods that might develop this primary activity further. Citrus crops, viticulture and olives favour these conditions. However, the rearing of animals is difficult due to the high temperatures, lack of ground moisture and grass growth on lower slopes.
Markets
The development of agriculture can be directly compared to the location of the largest markets in Italy.
The Plain of Lombardy in the north (including the Po river) is the most agriculturally developed and productive region in Italy. Local market demands are met by providing meat, dairy, fruits and vegetables to the cities like Milan, Genoa and Turin. However, the landscape of the Mezzogiorno combined with the warmer climatic conditions means that most of the larger urban areas are coastal. Running along the western and eastern coastlines cities like Naples, Reggio, Bari, Brindisi and Taranto find that the needs of their populations are not met by the yields of the farmers surrounding them. Apart from Naples, these cities and surrounding towns must import much of their produce from the northern farmers. The farms are smaller, unproductive and lacking development in the Mezzogiorno. The populations of these cities are smaller too leading to a cycle of difficulties in developing agriculture here.
- Relief
- Climate
- Markets
A European region I studied is the Mezziogiorno, a peripheral region of Italy. Through the following factors (name the two you will examine – I am covering all three) I will account for the development of agriculture in this region.
Relief
The relief of the Mezzogiorno limits the development of agriculture. The region is dominated by the Apennine Mountains. 85% of the land is classified as hill or mountainous. Almost half of the land is very steeply sloping restricting the use of modern machinery and in some places. As a result the farming is unproductive. Soil erosion from heavy rain has resulted in thin, infertile soil in the upland areas. Deforestation has worsened soil erosion hindering agricultural development. The underlying Limestone rock is permeable and does not retain the moisture needed for crops to grow. In the lower slopes the run-off of winter rains has resulted in waterlogged areas unsuitable for agriculture. One area of difference is the lower slopes of the area around Naples known as the Plain of Campania. Here, the volcanic ash from Mt. Vesuvius has created deep fertile soils. On the upper slopes sheep and goats graze. The lower slopes are used for the growth of vines, olives and citrus fruits. However, the relief of this area hinders the development of agriculture through the majority of the land.
Climate
The Mediterranean climate has had a major limiting effect on agriculture in this region. Summer drought is very common. Temperatures often exceed the average of 26 degrees. In addition summer rain is rare. Rain that does fall tends to be convectional rain. This rapid downpour of precipitation occurs too quick and heavy for soils to absorb valuable moisture. Evaporation and run-off occur. A high pressure belt moves across the Mezzogiorno during the summer further speeding up drought-like conditions. A warm, dry wind called the Sirocco blows in from North Africa. This arid wind increases temperatures, speeds up evaporation and severely hinders any agricultural development. Extra money is needed for irrigation schemes and this demand for money reduces the ability of the farmers to change or upgrade machinery or methods that might develop this primary activity further. Citrus crops, viticulture and olives favour these conditions. However, the rearing of animals is difficult due to the high temperatures, lack of ground moisture and grass growth on lower slopes.
Markets
The development of agriculture can be directly compared to the location of the largest markets in Italy.
The Plain of Lombardy in the north (including the Po river) is the most agriculturally developed and productive region in Italy. Local market demands are met by providing meat, dairy, fruits and vegetables to the cities like Milan, Genoa and Turin. However, the landscape of the Mezzogiorno combined with the warmer climatic conditions means that most of the larger urban areas are coastal. Running along the western and eastern coastlines cities like Naples, Reggio, Bari, Brindisi and Taranto find that the needs of their populations are not met by the yields of the farmers surrounding them. Apart from Naples, these cities and surrounding towns must import much of their produce from the northern farmers. The farms are smaller, unproductive and lacking development in the Mezzogiorno. The populations of these cities are smaller too leading to a cycle of difficulties in developing agriculture here.
