The Big Picture: What are cash crops?

CONNECT:

WHICH IS THE ODD ONE OUT?

A

B

C

D

A

DC

B

Think about what is Think about what is being farmed...being farmed...On what scale...On what scale...

Write down two sentences Write down two sentences suggesting why that photo suggesting why that photo is the odd one out.is the odd one out.

LEARNING OUTCOMESWhat: find out what cash crops are and how land can become overcultivated

How: research cash crops and the risks they pose to the environment

Why: to understand the impacts of increased pressures on people and land around the world

ACTIVATE:

Answer the questions on your sheet about cash crop farming. Use the information in the text book on p.227 to help you.

Extension: Write a list of crops that could be considered ‘cash crops’. Here are some to get you started…

TeaCoffeeSugar

DEMONSTRATE: 1. Complete the word fill on your sheet and

annotate the image.

2. Draw your own copy of figure 3 (p.227)

3. Write a short paragraph explaining how overcultivation can lead to environmental degradation.Overcultivation can lead to environmental degradation because…

Extension: What can be done to prevent environmental degradation?

REVIEW:Discuss in pairs:

Should land, often the best farmland, be used to grow cash crops for export to well-fed people in rich countries, instead of growing food crops for the countries own people?

Can this be justified in a time of rising populations, hunger and food shortages in developing countries?

Share your ideas with the rest of the class.Share your ideas with the rest of the class.