Global and US Agricultural Overview: Production, Trade, and Hunger
International Agriculture
US Commodity Production and Trade
The US produces a significant amount of agricultural products, including:
- Corn
- Cow Milk
- Soybeans
- Wheat
- Sugar Cane
- Sugar Beet
- Potatoes
- Chicken Meat
- Tomatoes
- Cattle Meat
The US spends a relatively low percentage of take-home income on food, only 6.2%, compared to less developed countries (LDCs) that spend one-third to one-half of their income on food. The top three customers of US agricultural products are Canada, China, and Mexico.
The US typically maintains
Read MoreThe Impact of Population Growth on Food Security
The Global Food Crisis
Africa is the only continent on earth that does not grow enough food to feed all of its people, and 30 percent of people on the continent suffer from chronic hunger. This is unjust given that within its shores, Africa holds 60 percent of the world’s uncultivated arable land.
In China, it’s been estimated that the potential long-term benefit in adopting conservation agriculture would be around $408 million for wheat alone. It’s a similar story in India, where the introduction
Read MoreThe Tertiary Sector: A Comprehensive Guide
The Tertiary Sector: Concept and Classification
Concept
The tertiary sector encompasses activities that provide services to satisfy people’s needs and wants. Unlike the primary and secondary sectors, it doesn’t produce goods but offers services.
Classification
Services can be classified according to different criteria:
1. Management
- Public Services: Managed by the state, local councils, and autonomous communities. Their function is social, including education, health, etc.
- Private Services: Managed by
The Shifting Landscape of Global Power: From Unipolarity to Multipolarity
1. The Changing World Order
1.1. Multipolarity of Power
The end of communism in 1991 brought a new world order, with the USA as the sole world superpower. Its hegemony is evident in:
- The influence of its diplomacy.
- The presence of its military around the world.
- Its intervention in several conflicts since the 1990s.
However, the last decade has seen a tendency towards greater multipolarity due to opposition towards USA hegemony. Some emerging countries are establishing themselves on the international scene,
Read MoreThe European Union and the Spanish State
Europe
Europe is divided into 49 independent countries. European states are very different, with three main distinctions:
Size
The largest is the Russian Federation, and the smallest are the micro-states, which are less than 500 km² in area.
Population
The Russian Federation has the largest population, with 140 million inhabitants. The next largest populations are in Germany, France, and the UK. The least populated state is Vatican City, with less than 1,000 inhabitants.
Wealth
Germany is the major economic
Read MoreThe Industrial Revolution and Its Impact
Agricultural Revolution
The changes that occurred in agriculture were of great importance in the development of industry. One consequence was the reduced need for agricultural labor, forcing many peasants to migrate to towns for industrial employment or overseas seeking new opportunities. Additionally, increased productivity led to more abundant food and higher earnings for both landlords and laborers. These earnings were then invested in the growing industry. These changes subsequently spread to
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