Employment In Agriculture
Many of today’s farmers can feed that family and a hundred other people. It happened largely because of scientific advances and the development of new sources of power. In the 15th and 16th centuries, explorers introduced new varieties of plants and agricultural products into Europe. From Asia, they carried home coffee, tea, and indigo, a plant used to make blue dye. From the Americas, they took plants such as potatoes, tomatoes, corn , beans, peanuts, and tobacco. The Chinese also adapted farming tools and methods from nearby empires. New technology has revolutionized the selective breeding process in both plants and animals. However, pesticides and fertilizers have come with another set of problems. The heavy reliance on chemicals has disturbed the environment, often destroying helpful species of animals along with harmful ones. Chemical use may also pose a health hazard to people, especially through contaminated water supplies. Agricultural scientists are looking for safer chemic