How is modern farming different from pioneer days? (4 points)
1) Mechanization: Modern farming relies heavily on machinery and technology to increase efficiency and productivity. In pioneer days, farming activities like tilling, planting, harvesting, and transportation were all done manually or with minimal assistance from animals.
2) Use of chemicals and fertilizers: Modern farming extensively uses chemicals and fertilizers to promote crop growth, prevent pest infestation, and control weeds. In the pioneer days, the use of chemicals and fertilizers was either non-existent or very limited.
3) Crop varieties and genetic modification: Today, farmers have access to a wide range of crop varieties that have been selectively bred or genetically modified to withstand diseases, pests, and harsh environmental conditions. This was not available to pioneers, who relied on traditional seed saving and cross-breeding techniques to develop varieties suitable for their local environments.
4) Infrastructure and distribution: Modern agriculture has advanced infrastructure for storing, processing, and distributing agricultural products. Pioneers often faced challenges in transporting their goods over long distances, and storage and processing facilities were limited or non-existent.