Factory Farming

In the contemporary economy

In the contemporary economy, industrial animal agriculture is one of the hot developments. The advancement of scientific discoveries and the growth of technology has yielded industrial revolution which has been a prerequisite to a massive production and growth in factory farming (Choudhary et al., 2018). Among other findings, the invention of vitamins and how they were used to ensure proper livestock nutrition was central. Actually, the discovery led to vitamin add-on, which made it possible for chickens to be produced indoors. Moreover, the invention of vaccines, as well as antibiotics in the later days, enhanced production by protecting livestock against disease attacks (Bonanno, 2012). Additionally, the growth in shipping linkages and transportation technology have made it easier to facilitate long-distance circulation of agricultural products. Generally, the concept of factory farming entails animals' oriented production which optimizes production output while minimizing the cost of production (Choudhary et al., 2018). The key products in this area of production include, milk, meat, and eggs.

Benefits of factory farming

While some people may argue that factory farming come with a couple of challenges, it is important to note that factory farming has more benefit than disadvantages. Through factory farming, agriculturist have been able to maximize output at minimum cost besides availing a wide range of products to consumers. Taking into consideration the increasing population and reduced farming land in the world, it would be true to say that factory farming greatly solves the issues of food insecurity and hence should be more encouraged while trying to innovate ways of curbing its negative aspects.

Cost-effectiveness and reduced labor

Factory farming is cheap and depend less on human labor. Since the creation of factory farms, the corresponding food prices have gone down drastically. One major reason which leads to lower food prices is that with intensive livestock farming in the factory farms, food production occur faster due to adoption of more efficient processes (Choudhary et al., 2018). For instance, livestock are given a conducive environment which accelerates their growth and good health. That is, animals are subjected to appropriate nutrition that foster growth as well as vaccination which ensure they maintain good health through protection against diseases. With the collapse of food prices, low-level income earners get an opportunity to access affordable and high-quality food which is a basic human need (Puryear, Bruers & Erdos, 2017). On a different view, factory farming incorporates the use of modern technology, hence liberating farmers from constraining manual labor. Today farmers use human labor only in areas that require a specific human skill hence bringing about specialization, thus encouraging production.

Efficiency in factory farming

There is efficiency in factory farming. Despite the fact that a larger population holds a contrary opinion that factory farms should not be labeled as efficient, many pointers shows that it is indeed effective to have factory farms. For instance, livestock production take place in confined spaces, hence the arrangement allows for a larger number of animals to be raised in a smaller space (Puryear, Bruers & Erdos, 2017) Therefore, this will cut cost of initial capital as it is not basic for new farmers to raise huge amount of money to start, run and maintain their business (Choudhary et al., 2018). Furthermore, the ways and means incorporated in meat processing and manufacturing of eggs are relatively less expensive and quicker processes. Hence, farmers enjoy lower cost of production due to the efficiency of factory farms. The lower production cost translate into lower prices of food in the market which directly benefit the consumers.

Economic benefits and improved community standards

Farmers confess that factory farming is a lucrative business which have need of just limited amount of time for its marketing (Gardiner & Kosmitzki, 2011). Many consumers, in their feedback praise intensive livestock farming for its advancement in food dispensation, production, food conservancy, packing, and conveyance. In fact, many consumers have rated factory farming as excellent in terms of its promptness in distributing food to grocery stores and the entire market which are currently faster than ever. Moreover, access of food in the global market has been made more convenient. In addition, farmers' revelation point out that factory farming is a goldmine (Gardiner & Kosmitzki, 2011). The farmers confess that rigorous livestock farming come with extensive profit margin due to proper care and handling of animals (Choudhary et al., 2018). Furthermore, the factory farms are planned in such a way that their input are low but the output are reasonably higher. With lower input and maximum profit, this type of business is considered a treasure house for farmers who have an innate understanding about it.

Diversification, job creation, and community development

In a healthy market environment, consumers should be provided with not only assurance of availability of products, but also a variety to ensure freedom of choice. Due to the fact that it is less expensive to process and produce food with this method, agriculturalists have an opportunity to spread their schemes of investment to incorporate additional variety of crops and livestock (Puryear, Bruers & Erdos, 2017). With the growth of biotechnology, farmers have been supplied with hybrid seeds that have the ability to resist disease as well having the synergy to withstand harsh climatic conditions. Moreover, the advancement in technology to come up with modern storage facilities and shipping equipment make it possible for consumers to enjoy fresh perishable goods like fruits which are produce far away.

Countering criticisms of factory farming

The fight against unemployment is currently an obligation of both the private and government sector. Factory farming equally contribute a reasonable effort in this fight (Bonanno, 2012). Since factory farming entails large operations, it requires a large number of workforce to pursue all activities. Therefore, intensive livestock production industry offers a wide-ranging array of job openings besides its ability to stir up economic stimulation in regions where are considered desperate due to lack of trade and industry activities (Puryear, Bruers & Erdos, 2017). Besides, with increased factory farm production, the amount of food production for the society has greatly surged. This method of agriculture has come up with farming systems which are profit-based thereby providing mankind with the needed amount of their daily calories which is adequate for their living and survival (Bonanno, 2012). In fact, one factory farm will give its market an assurance of regular supply of a specific type of product.

Contributing to local communities

Raising the standard of a community should be a primary goal of any industry. Factory farming, being one of the renowned industries, has several means of heightening local communities (Bonanno, 2012). To begin with, the proponents of this industry lay emphasis that intensive farming must pass the test of investing massively in the people from the local set up in which it operates. More claims equally suggest that factory farming has directly led to increased development of vital social facilities like proper road networks as well as hospitals among the many more (Gardiner & Kosmitzki, 2011). This primarily illuminate why many developed countries attribute their skyrocketing growth to factory farming alongside other appropriate farming practices (Choudhary et al., 2018). With increased profit, factory farming makes it possible for the farmers and the employees to actively participate in development activities in the community.

Disadvantages of factory farming

In life, perfection is an impossibility, hence nothing can be good in totality. Therefore, factory farming equally has a share of its demerits. First, some people hold the opinion that this type of agriculture is a heartbreak to the communities that are farming. For example, in the United States, many family farms have been wiped out because of factory farms (Puryear, Bruers & Erdos, 2017). Many, people currently prefer factory farming for its speed and larger scale production at a central point. It is an apparent selection for businesses and large-scale companies which buy massively from farmers. Nevertheless, local farming is a preferred choice of some specific customers who believe in local production for its neutrality (Everton, 2012).

Environmental concerns

Environmental scientists undermine factory farming as they attribute the factory to global warming. Since there is lack of adequate maintenance needed in factory farming, the industry is seen to result into outrageous unhygienic conditions. Leftover as well animal's excrements have the potential to cause a widespread harm to the environment (Bonanno, 2012). Majorly it will result into water and air contamination due to emission of gases from decaying waste products from animals. In general, factory farming is seen to give off toxic emission to the atmosphere thereby making it a major player in global warming.

Conclusion

Just as other serious issues in the world, factory farming is indeed having a place in food production. Nevertheless, its success calls for suitable directive and establishments. According to the above-discussed pros and cons, it is clear that the advantages of factory farming bare more weight than its demerits (Gardiner & Kosmitzki, 2011). An absolute truth remains that this technique is unique in its own way and it has greatly resulted into increase in the production of at cheaper prices. The entire issue of factory production is more of a complete circle where a group of people praise it as others denounce its effects. Both the opposing and supporting have valid opinions with strong backing and proofs (Choudhary et al., 2018). However, it is easier to work on the cited disadvantages of factory farming to make it better and fully acceptable in totality.

References

Bonanno, A. (2012). Nicaragua Before Now: Factory Work, Farming, and Fishing in a Low-wage Global EconomyNicaragua Before Now: Factory Work, Farming, and Fishing in a Low-wage Global Economy, by FarrellNell. Albuquerque, NM: University of New Mexico Press, 2010. 243pp. $39.95 paper. ISBN: 9780826346087. Contemporary Sociology: A Journal Of Reviews, 41(2), 207-209. doi: 10.1177/0094306112438190w       

Choudhary, R., Singh, G., Sangwan, S., Ahuja, R., Khatri, S., & Singh, S. (2018). Perception of The Scientist and Student's Regarding Factory Farming. International Journal Of Livestock Research, (0), 1. doi: 10.5455/ijlr.20180127111028

Everton, A. (2012). Factory Farming and the Law. Current Legal Problems, 25(1), 74-83. doi: 10.1093/clp/25.1.74

Gotsch, N., & Rieder, P. (1989). Future importance of biotechnology in arable farming. Trends In Biotechnology, 7(2), 29-34. doi: 10.1016/0167-7799(89)90054-1

Puryear, S., Bruers, S., & Erdős, L. (2017). On a Failed Defense of Factory Farming. Journal Of

Agricultural And Environmental Ethics, 30(2), 311-323. doi: 10.1007/s10806-017-9666-7