5.2.4—Agricultural system variation
- Syllabus
- First assessment 2026
- Objective
- 5.2.4
- Level
- SL
Explain Why Farming Systems Differ by Place
Climate and soil constrain feasible farming, while water access, cost and risk determine which feasible option is chosen.
Heat, rainfall, drainage, nutrients and rooting depth affect crop performance; irrigation can relax water limits but adds energy, cost and salinisation risk.
A dry grassland may support grazing; irrigation could enable wheat, but only if water cost and salt accumulation remain acceptable.
It describes a constraint, not the full decision; technology and economics modify the feasible set.
Environmental conditions constrain choices; they do not dictate one inevitable farming system.