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What are natural resources?

Solar panels and wind turbines.
Image caption,
Solar panels and wind turbines.

Natural resources are materials or substances that are produced by the environment.

Humans use natural resources to survive. They can be used to heat homes, transport people around the world, feed and clothe them.

Solar panels and wind turbines.
Image caption,
Solar panels and wind turbines.
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What are agricultural resources?

Wheat is grown in fields. Farmers harvest wheat to make foods such as bread and pasta.
Image caption,
Wheat is grown in fields. Farmers harvest wheat to make foods such as bread and pasta.

Agricultural resources are natural resources related to farming. These include:

  • Crops, such as wheat and barley, vegetables and fruit
  • Livestock such as cows, sheep, pigs and chickens, which produce dairy, eggs and meat
  • Sheep, cows, pigs and goats, which produce wool and leather for clothes.
Bananas growing on trees in Barbados.
Image caption,
Bananas growing on trees in Barbados.

If agriculture is to succeed, you need good soils and enough water for irrigation. You also need insects like bees for pollination.

Countries around the world have different natural resources, depending on their location, their geology and climate.

Countries in tropical zones might grow things that can't be grown in the UK such as bananas or cocoa. This is because they have the right climate.

Some countries like Spain grow the same things as in the UK, such as tomatoes and lettuces. However, they can grow them all year round because the climate stays hot enough.

Bananas growing on trees in Barbados.
Image caption,
Bananas growing on trees in Barbados.
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Watch: Natural resources

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Farming in the UK

A group of sheep in a field in the countryside.
Image caption,
Sheep are farmed for food and to make clothes from their wool.

In the UK, there are three main types of farming:

  • Arable is a type of farming where crops like wheat, barley, oil seed rape, oats, and potatoes are grown.
  • Livestock involves the rearing of animals like sheep and cows.
  • Mixed farming has both arable and livestock.
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What is important for farming?

Chickens are bred for their eggs and for food.
Image caption,
Chickens are bred for their eggs and for food.
  • Farmers rely on expected levels of temperature and rainfall for the crop being produced.
  • Unusual weather events such as drought, flood or heatwaves can destroy crops and harm livestock.
  • Oceans are home to a great variety of wildlife. This is called biodiversity, and it helps control the climate.
  • The number of fish in the ocean is going down because of over-fishing. Some countries agree to only catch a certain amount of fish each year.
Chickens are bred for their eggs and for food.
Image caption,
Chickens are bred for their eggs and for food.
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Watch: Food and farming

Farming is an important industry in the UK. There are many kinds of farming which harvest using natural resources. Some types of farming, like beekeeping, can be done in urban areas as well as rural ones.

Find out more by watching this video from 大象传媒 Teach.

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Did you know?

  • Agroforestry involves planting crops in between rows of trees to provide healthier soil, higher yields and homes for wildlife.
A cartoon map of the UK with four labels showing different agricultural resources including pigs, cows, sheep and crops.
  • Bananas are the staple food for millions of people around the world. They are grown both on small family farms and much larger commercial farms.
  • The Windward Islands in the Caribbean earn around a fifth of their total export earnings from bananas alone.
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Activities

Activity 1: Where is fruit grown?

A cartoon globe.
  • Visit a local shop or supermarket and look carefully at the fresh fruit and vegetable section.

  • How many products can you identify that were made in the UK or in Britain?

  • Make a list and see if you can find out any more information about the exact location of the farm. Sometimes, labels give the names of the farms and their address.

  • Where else in the world are products grown? You could make a map to show where different foods are made.

A cartoon globe.
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Activity 2: Agricultural resources quiz

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Bitesize Primary games. game

Play fun and educational primary games in science, maths, English, history, geography, art, computing and modern languages.

Bitesize Primary games
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