Agriculture Coursework Example

Student’s name
Professor’s name
Class
DateModernization of Agriculture and its Effect on the Environment and Human Health
Modern agriculture has gone too far in producing efficiency at the expense of human health and the environment. Heavy machines used in agriculture are a red flag for environmental pollution. The smoke that arises from these machines pollutes the air with poisonous carbon monoxide gas. This renders the environment hazardous and unsafe to live. Furthermore, the heavy machines till the soil on a regular basis. This often causes compaction of the soil, leads to erosion, and eventually, natural disasters.
Moreover, the excessive use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides negatively affects the health of the consumers. The use of excessive fertilizers by modern-day farmers to increase the number of crops produced is significantly affecting the environment. Most of these chemical fertilizers are nitrogenous which are converted to nitrate and sink deeper into the soil contaminating the ground-water. Excessive nitrate is fatal to sea animals, and most fish species are extinct due to this as well as humans especially new-born babies. Also, these fertilizers wash nutrients into nearby lakes causing over-nourishment for algae leading to further pollution of the water.
The use of pesticides to improve crop yield is a detrimental factor to the environment and health of humans. Some pesticides kill not only target pest but also other pests that are useful to the eco-systems, for example, bees and other insects of pollination.

These pesticides can also increase cancer risk, as some of the chemicals are carcinogenic. All in all, modern agriculture cares less about the environment and health of the people. It is of more significant concern with the production efficiency.