What is a significant downside of large-scale farming?

Large-scale farming often leads to significant environmental impacts, one of which is pollution. This can stem from the excessive use of fertilizers and pesticides, which can run off into local waterways, harming aquatic ecosystems and contaminating drinking water sources. Additionally, the concentration of waste from large herds of livestock can overwhelm local sanitation systems and lead to nutrient pollution, resulting in issues such as algal blooms that deplete oxygen in water bodies and can harm wildlife. While large-scale farming may improve production efficiency, the environmental pollution it generates presents a critical downside that can have far-reaching consequences for both ecosystems and human health.