The changed lifeways of the Neolithic revolution included the domestication of p

Question

The changed lifeways of the Neolithic revolution included the domestication of plants and animals as well as settlement into villages. How did these cultural transformations both solve the challenges of existence while creating new challenges for humans of the past and today?

Look back to this week’s lecture. Do you think that agriculture is the “worst mistake” in history as Jared Diamond (1987) argues? Is it possible to make changes to agriculture/domestication practices that are more environmentally sustainable? Or, have we reached the point of no return?

Explanation / Answer

The new methods in the cultivation and other fields were emerged to meet the human needs and to solve the existing problems in the world. The domestication of plants and animals is a part of cultural changes made and implemented by humans to bring balance between the flora and fauna, which are mutually dependent. Earlier, the clearance of land for the purpose of doing agricultural practice was done in order to meet the feeding habits of the population and while at the same time, domestication of animals was also carried out simultaneously. Reason being, the fodder obtained from the plant can be used as a food source for the animals and this will cause the reduction in the plant waste disposal. Otherwise, plant waste would cause air pollution due to their burning or the land pollution by its inappropriate disposal. Another reason being, the waste of domesticated animals is highly enriched in organic matter which will replenish the mineral content of the soil where the agricultural practice is being taken up. The above-described instance clearly shows the practice of natural farming/ agriculture, where a farmer does not employ the use of fertilizer but rather depends upon the natural manure prepared from biodegradable waste such as cow's urine and cow dung.

Agriculture cannot be considered as a "greatest mistake done," but it is one of the most Universally accepted cultures or the way of living in the history. If it wouldn't have happened then it would have been an impossible task to feed the ever-growing population of the world. Due to the advent of urbanization and rise in population, the lands under agriculture are cleared off in order to meet the growing needs, also too much technically advanced agriculture disrupted the balance between the plants and animals.

It is certainly possible to make changes and perform the agriculture practices more sustainably by using the following ways.

1. WASTE ELIMINATION- Throwing away of waste is not feasible that would otherwise cause the land pollution. So, garbage should be examined so that what else could be done with the same thing. Practice the concept of 3R's; Reduce, Reuse and Recycle.

2. FARM DIVERSITY- Crop rotation, mixed cropping and green manures should be encouraged to be adopted. By using the hybrid and high yielding varieties.

3. PEST MANAGEMENT- Allowing the growth of those insects population which are beneficial.

4. AGROFORESTRY- This involves the growth of trees and shrubs along with the crops and land left for grazing. this practice will be long-lasting, productive and gives diversity to the flora.

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