Theory question 105
Agriculture, Fishing and Lumbering(a) What is plantation agriculture? (b) Outline five characteristics of plantation agriculture in Nigeria. (c) Identify four problems faced by farmers who practise plantation agriculture in Nigeria.
Show the model answer
(a) Plantation agriculture is the large-scale cultivation of a single cash crop (e.g. oil palm, rubber, cocoa) on a large estate, mainly for export or industry.
(b) Large land area; one main crop (monoculture); mainly cash/export crops; large capital; hired skilled and unskilled labour; scientific methods (fertilizers, improved seedlings, machines); processing on the estate; good management; often owned by companies or government.
(c) High capital cost; land tenure problems; pests and diseases; fluctuating world prices; shortage of skilled labour; poor roads; labour disputes; competition from crude oil for labour and attention; insecurity.
Four problems as phrases.