EU Rural Development Policy: Economic Growth & Sustainability
EU Rural Development Policy: Fostering Growth and Sustainability
The European Union, through its rural development policy, provides structural funds for the most disadvantaged agricultural areas. The goal is to maintain the number of farmers and to conserve agricultural landscapes. The LEADER program also provides funds to help the regions worst affected by the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) to subsidize the creation of innovative activities, such as rural tourism.
Regional and Local Involvement
The
Read MoreCrop Types, Agricultural Practices, and Agrarian Systems
Types of Crops
From the smallest to the tallest, they are:
- Herbaceous crops (cereals or leafy greens)
- Shrubs (grapevine)
- Trees (olive and fruit trees)
Agricultural Practices
Monoculture
It is used when fields are used to grow just one crop.
Polyculture
It is used when fields are used to grow more than one type of crop.
Dryland Agriculture
Crops are irrigated only with rainwater.
Irrigated Agriculture
Irrigation applied to the land, soil, or crops is artificial.
Intensive Agriculture
Here the land is used to its
Read MoreSustainable Agriculture and Environmental Conservation
Precision Agriculture for Increased Crop Yields
Precision agriculture seeks to use new technologies to increase crop yields and profitability while lowering the levels of traditional inputs needed to grow crops, such as land, water, fertilizer, herbicides, and insecticides.
Challenges to Food Security
Several factors contribute to food insecurity:
- Poverty: Inability to afford nutritious food.
- Food Shortages: Periods before harvests, known as “hungry seasons,” force families to travel long distances for
Industrial Revolution: Societal Impact and Labor Movements
The Industrial Revolution
The Industrial Revolution marked the transition from a traditional agrarian economy to one marked by industry and machine production. Bringing about a radical change in society, the economy, politics, and more, it began in England in the middle of the 18th century.
Agricultural Transformation
There were changes in land ownership, and new techniques and crops were introduced. Newly invented machines were used in farm work, improving crop yields.
Population Changes
Death rates
Read MoreHabsburg Political System & 16th Century Spanish Society
The Habsburg Political Model
The Habsburg political model had two basic characteristics:
- The federal character of the monarchy, whereby each kingdom maintained its institutions, laws, and liberties without real political unity.
- A polysynodial system of government based on various boards that understood the government on specific cases.
At the apex of the political system was the King of Castile, who exercised absolute power. In other realms, his power was limited by the pactista doctrine. A fixed court
Read MoreSpain’s Railway Revolution & 19th-Century Trade Impact
Spain’s Railway Revolution in the 19th Century
Transportation: The introduction of the railway in Spain was a true revolution, facilitating the development of trade and industry. It had a significant advantage compared to traditional methods of transporting goods, offering a cheap, fast system with a large load capacity.
General Railway Act (1855)
Passed during the Progressive Biennium, the General Railway Act of 1855 encouraged investment within Spain through the stock market. It also allowed the
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