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The purpose of this ePortfolio is to examine agricultural policy and its effects on the environment. Agricultural reform is a major part of economic development in developing countries. Large scale industrialization and privatization of agriculture are pushed as ways to increase economic growth as well as seen as the best way to combat hunger. Proponents point to the higher yields these methods bring in contrast to traditional farming methods arguing that it better equips countries with feeding their people. Not only that but it frees up labor which can then be used to grow other industries. What’s more, the more intensive use of land means that–in theory-less land needs to be in production, lessening deforestation

However as many studies have shown the reality has been at best very mixed. While some farmers have benefitted they are often those better off to begin with. Industrialization policies often exacerbate already existing inequalities, leaving others worse off and more susceptible to hunger. It also leaves farmers are reliant on global market forces outside their control. Environmentally it can have many harmful effects from the chemicals and fertilizers used as well as the more intensive farming methods which stress the land causing erosion and soil degradation. Despite this industrialization is still promoted as the only realistic way to feed the world’s population; the high yields in Asia after the Green Revolution is used as evidence. It is still thought that we could solve poverty and hunger in Africa once we figure out how to bring the Green Revolution there. However on top of the issues mentioned studies have shown that in the long run yields are not actually better under large scale agriculture. The purpose of this ePortfolio is to look at the effects Westernized agricultural reforms have had on communities and their environments, as well as alternatives to the conventional model.