Let's PRT 2008. Let's Farming !: Agro- Ecological System [Chapter 3]

Agro - ecological system are about climate, water, soil, human resources, impact of climate change and the impact of pollution to the environment. First, we would discussing about the different climates in the world. Generally, there are four climates which is tropics, temperate, tundra and desert. Now, let's go through each climate.

First climate is tropics. Here, the environment have a high temperature and there are a lot of rainfall. The location with this climate have abundance of agricultural activities as tropic's climate is suitable for agricultural activities. Example of crops that are suitable at tropic's climate is rubber, oil palm, cocoa, coconuts and sugarcane.

The second climate is temperate. Where there is neither too warm nor too cold and neither too wet nor too dry which is they have four seasons. The crops is planted in spring and harvested in summer. Example of crops are maize and wheat. The vegetables are continuously grown even during winter as it is placed in glasshouse. The most suitable farming for this climate is livestock farming. Large cattle are reared for milk and beef performed best in the temperate region.

Next climate is Tundra. Tundra is known as treeless land. Its temperatures are very low which is below 0°C. There will be a long and cold dark winter about 6 until 10 months. The place has a little water and sunshine. This climate has a short growing season which is for 6 until 10 weeks. The dominant vegetation is grasses, mosses and lichens. At this climate, crops or livestock are hardly grown or raised. Only in restricted enclosure adequate water supply. There is three types of tundra which is named Arctic tundra, Antarctic tundra and Alpine tundra. Different type of tundra have a different geography.

Lastly, desert. It have very little precipitation, lower than 250 mm annually. In this climate, vegetation is very sparse. The temperature is very high during the day and very low at night. The agriculture only possible with sufficient irrigation.

Next, agro-ecological system : water. The agriculture activities is rain-fed or irrigation. In the Southern Peninsular Malaysia, the average annual rainfall higher than 3000 mm suitable for oil palm cultivation. While, Kedah and Perlis region have less than 2000 mm average annual rainfall making it is more suitable for rubber and mangoes plantation. It also have a good irrigation system that are suitable for padi. For example, Krian, Perak and Sawah Sempadan,Selangor.