Includes bibliographical references and index.

Chapter 1. Industrial agriculture: an introduction. --
Chapter 2. Field crops. --
Chapter 3. Vegetable fats and oil industry. --
Chapter 4. Fruit industry. --
Chapter 5. Dairy industry. --
Chapter 6. Poultry industry.

"The birth of industrial agriculture more or less coincides with that of the Industrial Revolution in general. The identification of nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus as critical factors in plant growth led to the manufacture of synthetic fertilizers, making possible more intensive types of agriculture. Industrial agriculture is a form of modern farming that refers to the industrialized production of livestock, poultry, fish, and crops. The methods of industrial agriculture are technoscientific, economic, and political. They include innovation in agricultural machinery and farming methods, genetic technology, techniques for achieving economies of scale in production, the creation of new markets for consumption, the application of patent protection to genetic information, and global trade. These methods are widespread in developed nations and increasingly prevalent worldwide. Most of the meat, dairy, eggs, fruits, and vegetables available in supermarkets are produced using these methods of industrial agriculture. Industrial agriculture, along with subsistence agriculture, is the most significant driver of deforestation in tropical and subtropical countries. The current contribution of agriculture to deforestation varies by region, with industrial agriculture being responsible for 30% of deforestation in Africa and Asia, but close to 70% in Latin America. The majority of industrial agriculture activities affecting forestland typically take place in developing countries that produce commodities for global markets." -- Provided by publisher