Key terms & definitions

Large-scale commercial farming organised as a business, often using intensive production methods, machinery, fertilisers and pesticides.

Large-scale commercial farming run as a business, often using intensive methods and linking farming with food processing, transport and sales.

A shortage of water in the soil that affects farming and crop growth.

A resource used in agricultural production, such as seed, animal feed, water, fertiliser, pesticide, fuel, labour or machinery.

The materials and resources used in farming, such as fertilisers, pesticides, machinery, fuel, seed and animal feed.

A farming organisation in which households pooled land and resources under common management. Early cooperatives retained private landownership; higher-level cooperatives replaced it with collective ownership.

Water flowing over land that carries substances such as fertilisers or pesticides into rivers and lakes.

Water used for farming, including irrigating crops and providing drinking water for livestock.

The amount of usable crop or animal product obtained from a given area or agricultural system.

Farming that involves growing crops or keeping livestock.

The growing of crops, rearing of animals and management of biological resources to provide food, materials and fuels.

Growing trees alongside crops or livestock on the same land.

A textile used in agriculture, horticulture or forestry, including growing crops and rearing animals.

A woman who remains bound to her marriage in Jewish law because she cannot obtain a get; literally a ‘chained’ woman.

Pride: an exaggerated sense of personal importance or superiority.

Love of humanity: acting lovingly towards all human beings.

The principle of not harming living beings, important in Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism.

The principle of non-violence towards living things, which influences many Hindus to choose a vegetarian diet.

The family or household of Prophet Muhammad, through whom the line of Shi’a Imams continued.

‘People of the Book’: a term used for Jews and Christians because of their connection with earlier revealed scriptures.

The household or family of the Prophet Muhammad. Sunni and Shi’a Muslims honour this family but differ over its membership and religious authority.

The Persian god associated with wisdom and goodness, whose authority supported Persian royal power.

Money, goods, technology or expertise provided to help people meet immediate needs or support longer-term development.

Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome: a condition caused by advanced HIV infection in which damage to the immune system leaves a person vulnerable to serious infections.

Acquired immune deficiency syndrome: an advanced stage of HIV infection in which the immune system is severely weakened.

The late stage of HIV infection, when the immune system is so badly damaged that it cannot deal effectively with other infections or cancers.

Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome: late-stage HIV infection in which the immune system is so badly damaged that it can no longer deal with other infections or cancers.

The American Indian Movement, founded in Minneapolis in 1968 to challenge discrimination and defend Native American rights, communities and cultures.

A statement of what an investigation intends to find out.

A statement of what an investigation is intended to find out.