Theory question 107
Geography of Africa(a) Describe the features of plantation agriculture in Africa (b) In what four ways has plantation agriculture contributed to the economic development of African countries? (c) Outline four problems of plantation agriculture
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(a) Large estates; single cash crop (monoculture) e.g. rubber in Liberia (Firestone), tea in Kenya, sisal in Tanzania, oil palm; large capital; many hired workers; scientific methods (fertiliser, improved seedlings); processing on the estate; mainly for export; often foreign-owned; good roads/rail to ports.
(b) Foreign exchange; employment; raw materials for industry; government revenue; infrastructure and settlements; transfer of skills.
(c) Price fluctuations on world markets; pests and diseases; labour shortages; high capital costs; land disputes; soil exhaustion; foreign ownership and profit repatriation.
Give named crops and countries.