The increase in food production owes much to fertilizers and better machinery. Some people think that it has a negative impact on human health and community. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
部分同意
Fertilizers and better machinery are largely responsible for the increase in food production over the years. Some people contend that this increased production has been threatening human health and community, I partly agree with this opinion.
Before the application of fertilizers, farmers could only grow crops on a limited amount of land which was suitable for farming. Due to the increase of world population, the shortage of food became a tricky problem in many countries and millions of people died of starvation. After fertilizing products were introduced to modern agriculture, the yield of farmland improved as crops could grow faster, while bigger and better machinery allows for the crops to be planted and harvested in a more rapid manner, ensuring that less of the food produced is wasted. With more food available, fewer and fewer people suffer from malnutrition.
On the negative side, studies show that the use of fertilizers can harm the environment and can also be dangerous to people. It can get into the streams and rivers surrounding the land where crops are grown. When this happens, the water in those rivers and streams can be contaminated. When human beings or animals drink the polluted water, they are likely to be sick. In terms of how bigger and better machinery becomes a threat to the environment, a typical example is that the equipment is widely used to destroy forests to accommodate additional planting.
Although high yield and increased production are certainly important in food production, we should all be aware of damages caused to the environment.