Theory question 106
Nigeria: People and Economy(a) Discuss the relationship between rainfall and agricultural practices in the (i) tropical continental region of Nigeria: (ii) sub-equatorial region of Nigeria
(b) In what five ways does agriculture contribute to the economy of Nigeria?
Show the model answer
(a)(i) Tropical continental (north): one short rainy season (4-5 months) so annual crops – millet, sorghum, groundnut, cotton, cowpea; drought-resistant crops; one harvest a year; irrigation/fadama farming in the dry season (onions, wheat, vegetables); cattle rearing as tsetse is fewer; planting starts with the first rains
(ii) Sub-equatorial (south): long rainy season with two peaks, so two crops of maize a year; tree crops – cocoa, oil palm, rubber, kola; root crops – yam, cassava; heavy rains cause leaching, erosion and weeds; humidity encourages pests and tsetse, so few cattle
(b) Food supply; employs most of the labour force; raw materials for industries; foreign exchange from exports; government revenue; market for industrial goods; capital for development
Show how the amount and season of rain decide what is farmed.