Changing Rural Landscape in Developing Countries (SQA National 5 Geography): Revision Note

Specification checklist

This page covers what you need to know from the SQA National 5 geography specification to answer questions on:

• changes in the rural landscape in developing countries related to modern developments in farming such as: genetic modification, impact of new technology, biofuels.

Changes in rural landscapes in developing countries

• Rural landscapes in developing or emerging countries, such as India, have seen significant change

• Rural areas are often based on subsistence farming

• This is changing with:

  • More commercial agriculture

  • Increased use of mechanisation

  • The introduction of genetic modification (GM) technology

  • Production of biofuels

  • New technologies

Genetic modification (GM) in developing countries

• Genetic modification involves using genes from one species to improve another species and increase yields:

  • Crops can be made pesticide-resistant so that when pesticides are sprayed to remove the pests, the crop is undamaged

  • GM technology can also be used to add vitamins and additional nutrients

• Genetic modification is controversial

• GM crops are grown in many developing and emerging countries, including India

• Golden rice has beta carotene added using GM technology

  • The aim is to increase human uptake of vitamin A

High-yield varieties

• High-yielding varieties (HYV) were developed using selective breeding, not GM technology

• The HYV crops produce significantly more yield

• In India, HYV crops were one aspect of the Green Revolution

New technology in developing countries

• As in developed countries, technology has led to many changes in the rural landscape in developing countries

• There has been an increase in mechanisation

• The green revolution in India involved the introduction of tractors

  • It also led to increased use of fertilisers and pesticides

• Mobile phone apps enable farmers to:

  • Sell their crops via the internet

  • Monitor crop prices

  • See weather forecasts

  • Get pest and disease warnings

Biofuels in developing countries

• Biofuels are fuels which are made from organic matter

• Biofuels are more sustainable and environmentally friendly than fossil fuels

• India is increasingly reliant on biofuels, and it aims for:

  • Ethanol blended fuel to make up 20% of energy use by 2026

  • Over 5% of vehicles to use biodiesel

• Biodiesel in India mostly uses the Jatropha plant seeds, which are rich in oil

  • This plant can be grown in marginal land where crops cannot be grown

  • Other biofuels, such as palm oil, corn and sugar cane, can use valuable farm land