Evaluation of a product does not stop with registration. As science progresses, new knowledge is being constantly acquired which can change the way certain products are viewed. A good case in point is DDT. After many years of use, it was determined that DDT had negative side effects and for this reason its use was banned.
Certain micro-organisms can contaminate crops, cause harm to animals and may even be detrimental to man himself. Before tuberculosis was eradicated in animals, milk was boiled or pasteurised to protect humans against the possibility of contracting the disease.
During slaughter, animals were inspected in an effort to prevent the TB bacterium from reaching the consumer. Unfortunately, animals may carry micro-organisms which can cause disease in humans without any evidence of their existence showing during the animal's life cycle or even after its slaughter.
Salmonella, Listeria, some strains of E. Animals may acquire these micro-organisms from their feed or water, from the environment through insects, birds or rodents , from each other and even from humans.
Similarly, disease-causing micro-organisms from humans can infect insects, birds and other animals who, in turn, can transmit them to farm animals. A new threat to human health emerged in the eighties when cattle started showing symptoms of BSE Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy , the so-called "mad cow disease".
The nature of the causative agent was unknown at that time. Neither could it be determined whether the disease was transmittable to man or not. Regardless of this, all kinds of preventive measures were taken to avoid the spread of the disease, and to exclude certain animal tissues from human consumption. Presently, scientific evidence seems to indicate that the preventive measures taken are becoming effective in controlling the animal disease and in preventing further cases of contagion in humans.
To limit as far as possible the spread of micro-organisms to their animals, farmers observe strict hygienic practices on the farm, during transport and at slaughter. Similarly, care by the consumer or professional food-handler is essential in the form of adequate cooking, pasteurising, sterilising, appropriate storage, etc. Fresh vegetables should be thoroughly washed to reduce any possibility of contamination particularly if vegetables have been irrigated with contaminated water. Salmonella, which may exist in chickens and eggs, can be eliminated through adequate cooking.
Inevitably, farming has an impact on the environment. Through farming, land is physically and chemically transformed. Since farmers use the land for generations, it is in their best interests to ensure their land remains healthy and productive. One of their priorities should be the protection of their land and, by extension, the environment in general. However, as some cultivation methods and certain products may have adverse effects on the environment which pass unnoticed by the individual farmer, scientific and official regulatory bodies exist to alert him to possible damage.
As discussed earlier, one measure is the regulation of pesticides to ensure that they are not harmful to the environment or to humans. Because the consumer expects food to be readily available and reasonably priced as well as wholesome and safe, agricultural research is an ongoing process that focuses on fulfilling consumer expectations. Research activities include:. These and other objectives of agricultural research aim at further improving the quality and safety of food as it leaves the farm, to minimise any negative impacts on the ecology and to contribute to the goal of sustainable agriculture.
Farmers, and the network of scientists, governments and manufacturers which supports them, continually direct their energy and efforts toward developing the best growing and living conditions for crops and animals. Enhancing soil nutrition and defending crops and animals against pests and diseases is a constant process made ever more important by the world's growing population and the consumer's demand for a safe and wholesome food supply.
In recent years, economic and technological achievements have led to a sharp fall in the number of farmers in Europe. Today, three per cent of the population produces most of the food required. Unstable rains, changing climate conditions, drought, natural disaster — these are all things farmers in developing countries must cope with.
And for them, a failed harvest has much more severe consequences. The good news is that people like you are helping by providing support and training for farmers to learn improved agricultural practices that help grow crops in even the harshest conditions.
But what exactly are some of those practices? And how do they help? Check out just a few of the fascinating approaches you make possible with your support. In places like West Africa, which are prone to unstable rains and periods of prolonged drought, farmers must use creative techniques to make sure their soil produces good crops.
Zai pits are trenches that capture water and nutrients and deliver them directly the seeds planted within them. By using this method, farmers make the very best use of the rainfall they get in order to grow more food. These zai pits were dug on a farm in Burkina Faso , where your support helps farmers overcome the effects of changing climate to grow food, earn income and increase their stability. When learning new agricultural techniques, it can be helpful to farmers to observe those techniques in action and see the results.
Farmers need resources to grow food. They need many different types of resources. Farmers need natural resources, such as land, air, nutrients, water and sunlight. Farmers themselves need energy so they can work the land. Farmers need human-made tools to work the land. Some resources can be bought at the local market. So farmers also need money to buy resources that are not available on their land.
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