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Is factory farming a requirement in the 21st century?
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Factory farming boosts the economic backbone of a country while also satisfying the hunger of its citizens

Factory farming works on a profit-seeking principle. While this may seem extremely money-oriented, it helps boost the economy and improve the standard of living of many associated with industrialized agriculture. It provides an efficient way of tackling the demands of an increasing population.

The Argument

Factory farms have revolutionized the field of livestock production with their new technology and enhanced speeds at which their product is ready to be sold. They have the ability to produce 5 times more than what an individual small farm would be able to. This enhanced rate has also led to an increased demand for meat in the market, boosting the industry as a whole. The more indispensable factory farming becomes, the more it transforms itself into more efficient and sustainable systems that are also environmentally friendly, and take into consideration the comfort of the animals too. Factory farms are large-scale efforts at mass production of livestock. Such an undertaking requires a lot of manpower to be able to look after and care for each animal being reared. This allows for an increase in local employment, and eventually a change in one’s standard of living. It allows for enough resources to be available to all because of advances in technology and almost complete automation of machinery that prevents any excess wastage. Factory farms have made possible a year-round production of meat that does not allow for any shortage of supply. This also has an added bonus which is an ever-increasing base of meat-eaters. There are no geographical limitations because of factory farming; almost all types of meat are available all over the world, enabling the corporations behind the factory farms to enjoy a huge profit which is ultimately beneficial to the economy of a country.[1]

Counter arguments

Factory farms, with the help of the investment backing of large corporations, are able to develop increasingly efficient methods of farming. But this has a negative impact on the local community because the increase in technology equals lesser jobs for people who aren't trained in that particular skill. These large farms slowly absorb all the surrounding smaller farms, putting innumerable families out of a job and snatching away their livelihood. In developing countries, when factory farming is carried out, it is usually done without any care for the animals, focusing only on the end product and the goal of maximizing profit. As a result, they encroach upon the resources made available for smaller farms without ever compensating them in any way. While factory farming does seem beneficial, particularly in the large cities, at the grass-root level, it does more harm than good. In addition to this, the quality of the product cannot be guaranteed because of automation. This also has an adverse effect on the industry, particularly when the animals are diseased and not treated properly.

Proponents

Premises

[P1] Factory farming is an efficient and sustainable industry that looks after the increasing demand for meat in society. [P2] It provides employment opportunities for people to control the machines used at the farms.

Rejecting the premises

[Rejecting P1] Factory farming is an industry which looks after its own economic interests with little regard towards providing people with jobs. [Rejecting P2] Factory farming provides employment only to those skilled in using the said machinery. Many small farmers are robbed of their livelihood because they cannot compete with the scale and technology of factory farms.

References

  1. https://www.forbes.com/sites/phillempert/2015/06/15/why-factory-farming-isnt-what-you-think/#27044a626065
This page was last edited on Tuesday, 28 Jul 2020 at 19:35 UTC

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