Economic geography: what is agroclimatic resources?

Agroclimatic conditions in each country can be rich or scarce. Alternatively, a country can have different zones, where there is a high level of resources, and almost complete absence of resources.

As a rule, a high diversity of agroclimatic resources is observed in countries occupying a large area. Among them are the following states: Russia, China, India, Australia, USA, Canada, Brazil and Mexico. In order to fully represent the overall picture, it is necessary to understand what agroclimatic resources are and what their availability affects.

What is agroclimatic resources?

Agroclimatic resources are the formed climate conditions at a certain territorial unit that determine one or another of the agricultural activities.

The agroclimatic resources of the world are generally accepted as favorable and unfavorable.

In order to understand how the possibility of agricultural activity is assessed, it will be necessary to understand in detail what agroclimatic resources are and what factors affect their indicator.

Agroclimatic resources of a certain region are determined by the ratio of light, heat and moisture. This indicator determines a number of agricultural crops that can be grown in this area. They are isolated according to the belts of temperature, humidity and light. There are countries with both homogeneous natural conditions and with great diversity.

Next, we will consider the conditions on the territory of Russia and Asia.

Agroclimatic resources of Russia

Russia is a country that is located in different climatic zones with different intensity of solar energy. This factor makes it possible to grow a wide range of crops with different requirements for light, heat and moisture.

Of all the factors, the plant reacts most strongly to air temperature. The main processes occur in the range of 5-30 degrees Celsius. Deviation from this range leads to a slowdown in growth and processes. With a strong deviation from the norm, the plant dies.

Temperature above +10 degrees is considered the lower limit of effective vegetation of plants. To obtain a crop of a particular crop, the plant must "accumulate" the total number of positive temperatures above ten degrees. Each culture has its own indicator, respectively, and its requirements for the conditions.

Agroclimatic zones of Russia

Agroclimatic resources of Russia in the northern regions have increased hydration and lack of heat and light. In such conditions, only focal farming and hothouse farming are possible.

In the northern part of the temperate zone in the subzone of the taiga, the climate is somewhat milder. In this region you can grow potatoes, rye, barley and legumes.

Somewhat more south, in the zone of mixed forests and forest-steppe, the climate is warmer and the duration of the day is longer. In this agroclimatic zone, you can grow rye, wheat, corn, flax, hemp, sugar beet, and cultivate grapes and gardening.

The best combination of agroclimatic resources was formed in the territory of the Central Chernozem, the North Caucasus and part of the Volga region. The sum of the temperatures of the growing season is 2200-3400 degrees Celsius. Under such conditions, it is possible to grow winter and spring wheat, corn, soy, sunflower, vegetables and fruits.

In most of the country, the sum of the temperatures of the growing season is in the range of 1000-2000 degrees Celsius. What are agroclimatic resources and what role do they play in the formation and activities of agriculture in this case? The answer is obvious. Based on world experience and cost-effectiveness, such conditions do not promote the opportunity to compete and have cost-effective production.

As a rule, in developed countries such zones of agriculture are on subsidized provision of the state. The profitability of the agricultural sector directly depends on this indicator.

Agroclimatic conditions of the Asian region

The territory of Asia includes more than forty countries. About four billion people live in this part of the world. The population's food depends directly on the agricultural activities of the countries, which is determined and limited by certain climatic conditions.

Agroclimatic resources of Asia are characterized by a high amount of heat. However, the amount of moisture in most of it is small, and in some regions - excessive.

Optimal conditions for agricultural activities are the following countries: Bangladesh (about 70% of the area is plowed), India (166 million hectares), China (93 million hectares). In the rest of Asia, focal farming is conducted, or cultures are grown only in the wetland zone of growth.

In the main part of Asia there are vast areas of mountain ranges, deserts and semi-deserts. Despite the fact that seventy percent of the irrigated land is in Asia, they are sorely lacking. The reason is the rapidly growing population and soil erosion.

Agroclimatic conditions of Kazakhstan

As for the former CIS countries located on the territory of Asia, the largest territory is occupied by Kazakhstan. The geographical location of the country corresponds to the states located in the Mediterranean region with a humid subtropical climate.

However, the agroclimatic resources of Kazakhstan are much lower. Its climate is sharply continental. This is explained by the fact that the country's territory is located more than a thousand kilometers from the seas and oceans. Therefore, throughout the country, a dry summer with low precipitation. In winter, the Siberian cold frosts prevail.

The greatest amount of precipitation falls in the highlands of Altai. In the territory of irrigation and the maximum amount of precipitation, cotton, wheat, tobacco, fruits and melons are grown.

Conclusion

The agroclimatic resources of each country determine its agricultural activities and the life of the population. In case the conditions are favorable, the country is able to provide food to its citizens and not be dependent on foreign policy.

When agro-climatic resources are scarce, then, as a rule, the population of the country is starving, and the state is dependent on the external market of products. Many countries in Africa and Asia can serve as an example.