New
New
Year 6

The future of food production

I can describe ways in which farming and food production have changed over time and investigate ways of taking action to make food systems fairer and better for our planet and its people.

New
New
Year 6

The future of food production

I can describe ways in which farming and food production have changed over time and investigate ways of taking action to make food systems fairer and better for our planet and its people.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Farming and food production have changed over time and there are advantages and disadvantages of these changes.
  2. The world faces different challenges in producing enough food and these problems are being overcome in various ways.
  3. Everyone can help make food systems fairer and better for our planet but some actions have a greater impact than others.
  4. It is useful to plan an action carefully before doing it.
  5. There are often different viewpoints about the causes and impacts of food issues, and potential solutions.

Keywords

  • Pesticides - Pesticides are substances that are added to soil or sprayed on plants to protect the plants from pests such as insects

  • Fertilisers - Fertilisers are substances that are added to soil or sprayed on plants to help them grow

  • Yield - Yield is the amount of food produced from a crop or from a number of animals reared

  • Greenhouse gas emissions - Greenhouse gas emissions are the release of gases into Earth's atmosphere that trap heat and contribute to climate change

  • Artificial intelligence (AI) - Artificial intelligence (AI) is the technology that makes machines or computers think more like humans

Common misconception

Limited understanding of how farming and food production are connected with climate change.

Unit 33 Lesson 7 explores food and climate change issues in more detail.

It is important that learners have ownership in choosing and planning any action they decide to take to respond to food issues. It may be helpful to revisit ideas for effective group working prior to completing the final activity.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Additional equipment will be needed if learners carry out their planned action.

Content guidance

  • Risk assessment required - equipment

Supervision

Adult supervision required

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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6 Questions

Q1.
For every 1kg produced, which food produces the most greenhouse gases? Put these goods in order, highest emissions first.
1 - beef
2 - cheese
3 - eggs
4 - bananas
5 - potatoes
Q2.
Match the definition to the correct key term.
Correct Answer:climate,the average of weather conditions of a place over a period of 30 years

the average of weather conditions of a place over a period of 30 years

Correct Answer:weather,day to day changes in the atmosphere

day to day changes in the atmosphere

Correct Answer:atmosphere, the layer of gases that surround Earth

the layer of gases that surround Earth

Q3.
How can growing crops cause climate change?
An image in a quiz
Correct answer: tractors produce carbon dioxide
Correct answer: trees may have to be cleared
Correct answer: fertilisers are used on the plants
they don't use cows
Q4.
Oil, coal and gas are all fuels.
Correct Answer: fossil
Q5.
Processing, packaging, transporting and selling food all have a footprint.
Correct Answer: carbon
Q6.
is the science and practice of cultivating soil and farming
Correct Answer: Agriculture

6 Questions

Q1.
Match the key term with the correct definition.
Correct Answer:pesticides,added to soil or sprayed on plants to protect them from pests

added to soil or sprayed on plants to protect them from pests

Correct Answer:fertilisers,added to soil or sprayed on plants to help them grow

added to soil or sprayed on plants to help them grow

Correct Answer:yield,the amount of food produced from a crop or number of animals reared

the amount of food produced from a crop or number of animals reared

Q2.
How has farming changed over time?
Planting seeds by hand
Correct answer: Use of more machinery
Less fertilizers and pesticides
Correct answer: Larger farms
Q3.
Scientists are using AI to help improve farming techniques. What does AI stand for?
Correct Answer: Artificial Intelligence, artificial intelligence
Q4.
How is farming changing to cope with climate change?
Crops that can withstand drought
Crops that are resistant to disease
Floating gardens to grow their crops.
Using more pesticides and fertilizers
Q5.
Match these types of farming to their correct definition.
Correct Answer:Organic farming,A way of producing food without the use of chemicals

A way of producing food without the use of chemicals

Correct Answer:Intensive farming,A way of farming that aims to produce as high yields as possible

A way of farming that aims to produce as high yields as possible

Correct Answer:Urban Farming,The growing of crops in towns and cities.

The growing of crops in towns and cities.

Q6.
Who is responsible for making food productions systems fairer?
Farmers
Governments
Retailers
You
Correct answer: All of the above