Cheaper food is now available because of greater use of fertilizers and improved machinery. This improved production, however, can be harmful to individuals and the community. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this view? Discuss, including examples from your own knowledge and experience.

Some people adhere to the view that fertilizers and innovative machinery are the primary factors in producing more affordable food products.

Additionally

, they think that through the use of fertilizers, agricultural crops can be provided with enormous essential nutrients like

nitrogen

.

This

is to make the crops grow bigger, faster and more productive.

However

, I completely disagree with the abovementioned idea, because

such

a method can be a threat to the health and safety of humanity. The reason behind

this

is the fact that vast use of fertilizers can cause the release of some harmful greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, and the eutrophication of waterways.

To begin

with, soil conditioners are comprised of substances and chemicals like methane, carbon dioxide, ammonia and

nitrogen

. The emission of these has tremendously contributed to the volume of greenhouse gases available in the atmosphere.

For instance

,

nitrogen

in fertilizers can be transformed by some soil microorganisms into

nitrogen

-containing gas. Following

this

is its release into the air, in the form of a greenhouse gas nitrous oxide.

This

hazardous gas has a warming potential way greater than carbon dioxide. In short,

although

the agricultural industry necessitates the use of fertilizer to its soils, additional

nitrogen

in the atmosphere can be detrimental. So, agriculturists should balance the positive benefits of

nitrogen

fertilization with the negative consequences of the excess amount.

Furthermore

, when commercial fertilizers enter the surface water, microorganism growth is stimulated by the released nutrients. Eventually, the growth and reproduction of the microorganisms will cause a reduction in the oxygen content of the waterbody. To illustrate, with the insufficient oxygen in surface water, aquatic species, like fish, suffocate. Following that, the resulting dead species deteriorate the water quality, destroy economically significant fisheries and risk public health.

Hence

, eutrophication should be promptly intervened, in order to prevent

further

impairment of several freshwaters and coastal marine ecosystems in the world. In conclusion, when nutrients and other pollutants associated with fertilizers are not properly managed, humans and the ecosystems can be affected negatively.

Therefore

, I believe that if administered

accordingly

, fertilizers can benefit crop production, without causing environmental problems.