Introduction
Farming systems are a major focus of IB Environmental Systems and Societies (ESS). In the 2026 first assessment, students are expected not only to describe different farming systems but also to compare and evaluate them. This requires applying systems thinking, using case studies, and linking farming to sustainability.
Examiners love this topic because it allows you to connect soil, water, energy, and food production in a single question. To score highly, you need to go beyond listing features—showing you can structure comparisons and evaluate sustainability effectively.
Quick Start Checklist for ESS Students
When revising farming systems, make sure you can:
- Define different farming systems (subsistence, commercial, intensive, extensive, pastoral, aquaculture).
- Compare systems using inputs, outputs, and environmental impacts.
- Apply at least two case studies in detail.
- Link farming systems to soil degradation, water use, and sustainability.
- Practice command terms like “Compare,” “Contrast,” and “Evaluate.”
What Are Farming Systems in ESS?
ESS treats farming systems as systems of energy and matter flows:
- Inputs: labor, technology, energy, fertilizers, pesticides, water.
- Outputs: crops, livestock, waste, income, pollution.
- Storages/flows: soil fertility, nutrient cycling, biomass.
By analyzing systems this way, you can easily compare across different contexts.
Types of Farming Systems to Compare
1. Subsistence Farming
- Small-scale, family-oriented.
- High labor, low technology.
- Low yields, low ecological footprint.
- Example: shifting cultivation in the Amazon.
2. Commercial Farming
- Large-scale, profit-driven.
- Mechanized, high inputs of fertilizer and water.
- High yields but major environmental impacts.
- Example: wheat farming in the U.S. Midwest.
3. Intensive Farming
- High input per unit area.
- Example: rice paddies in Southeast Asia.
4. Extensive Farming
- Large land area, low input per unit area.
- Example: cattle ranching in Brazil.
5. Pastoral Farming
- Raising livestock in grasslands.
- Risk of overgrazing and desertification.
- Example: nomadic herding in the Sahel.
6. Aquaculture
- Controlled fish farming.
- Example: salmon farming in Norway.
- Pros: high yields. Cons: water pollution, disease transfer.
How to Structure Comparisons in Exams
When the command term is “Compare”, you must highlight both similarities and differences. A strong structure is:
- Inputs: What resources are needed? (e.g., high labor in subsistence vs. high machinery in commercial).
- Outputs: What do they produce? (e.g., local food vs. exports).
- Environmental impacts: Soil, water, biodiversity.
- Sustainability: Ecological footprint, resilience.
Case Study Comparisons
Example 1: Rice farming (India) vs. Wheat farming (USA)
- Inputs: Rice uses high labor, wheat uses high machinery.
- Outputs: Rice mainly subsistence, wheat mainly commercial.
- Impacts: Rice is more sustainable; wheat relies on fertilizers.
Example 2: Shifting cultivation (Amazon) vs. Cattle ranching (Brazil)
- Inputs: Shifting cultivation is low-tech; ranching requires vast land.
- Outputs: Shifting cultivation supports families; ranching produces beef for export.
- Impacts: Ranching drives deforestation, higher emissions.
Farming Systems in ESS Exams
Paper 1
You may see data such as yields, fertilizer use, or ecological footprints to compare systems.
Paper 2
Expect essay questions like:
- “Compare and contrast two food production systems.”
- “Evaluate the sustainability of intensive and extensive farming.”
Exam Tips
- Don’t just describe—compare directly. Use phrases like “Whereas…” or “In contrast…”
- Case studies = higher marks. Always include a named example.
- Use sustainability language. Mention ecological footprints, resilience, and long-term impacts.
FAQs
1. Do I need to memorize statistics for comparisons?
No exact numbers are required, but approximate figures (e.g., 70% of freshwater used in agriculture) strengthen your answers.
2. Can I use the same case studies for multiple topics?
Yes. For example, cattle ranching in Brazil can be used for deforestation, climate change, and food systems.
3. How many farming systems should I revise?
At least four contrasting ones—two crop-based, one pastoral, and one aquaculture.
Conclusion
Comparing farming systems is a key skill in ESS because it demonstrates systems thinking and global awareness. By analyzing inputs, outputs, environmental impacts, and sustainability—and supporting your arguments with case studies—you’ll be fully prepared for the 2026 first assessment.
RevisionDojo Call to Action:
Want structured comparison charts and practice exam questions for farming systems? RevisionDojo’s guides simplify comparisons so you can focus on writing strong, exam-ready answers.
