How does floods affect agriculture

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Erosion and soil displacement from flooding can ruin fields and destroy crops. Erosion washes the fertile top soil away which leaves crop plants with nowhere to set roots. Sand, gravel, and rocks deposited by flood waters can smother and destroy exposed crops.

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Answer

How does flood damage affect an agricultural operation?

Flood damage can impact an agricultural operation in many ways. Not only can a flood make a field unsuitable for planting, but it can also ruin crops that have already been harvested. According to the FDA, flood water is “inherently unsanitary,” and “food that has been in contact with floodwater to be unfit for human consumption.”

What are the effects of floods on the environment?

Unpredictable floods can be harmful even to aquatic life. For example, fish can be displaced and their nests destroyed. Floodwaters can also alter the landscape, for instance, by eroding riverbanks and causing them to collapse.

What are the effects of heavy rainfall on farmers?

Harvests can be delayed, crops and pastures can been submerged and killed, and produce spoilt. But there are also many farmers who can benefited from the widespread good rainfall resulting in high yields and, with successful harvest, high profits.

What are the flow-on effects of reduced agricultural production?

The flow-on effects of reduced agricultural production can often impact well outside the production area as food prices increase due to shortages in supply (Prosser, et al., 2001).

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