A. Agriculture and environment

Agriculture and environment are closely connected with each other. Crop yields and animal productivity depend on soil and climatic conditions of the region in which they are grown. When environmental conditions are favorable, crops grow and develop well and produce high yields.

At present agriculture is not so dependent on the environment as in the past. (Man can improve the conditions under which crops are grown. The conditions can be improved by using irrigation and drainage, by applying fertilizers and different chemicals such as herbicides and insecticides and by some other practices. The environmental factors do not only affect agriculture, but they are also affected by the agricultural activity. Mineral fertilizers and chemicals used by farmers accumulate in the soil and in plants and may become harmful for people. Thus, the farmers have to solve two problems. On the one hand ^l they are to improve and intensify agricultural production and on the other hand ² they are to minimize the effect of agriculture on the environment.

Пояснения к тексту

1. on the one hand — с одной стороны

2. on the other hand — с другой стороны

B. INTENSIVE TECHNOLOGIES IN AGRICULTURE

There are two ways of increasing the yield of farm crops. They are the cultivation of new lands and the increase in yields per hectare. In the recent past the first way was more popular. At present more agricultural products are obtained by intensification of agricultural production.

Intensification is based on mechanization, electrification and chemization which are the main sources of progress in agriculture. Most of agricultural processes in crop production and animal husbandry are mechanized now. They are the preparation of the soil, planting and harvesting crops, feeding farm animals and cleaning livestock buildings. Chemization of agriculture is increased by higher production and use of mineral fertilizers and other chemicals. They increase crop yields and quality.

Some other important intensive technologies are the development of better high-yielding varieties of crops, the application of most effective cultural practices, the breeding of better farm animals, the control of weeds, insects and diseases. All intensification factors must be used in such a way as not to damage the land which is the basis of agriculture.