5.1 AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT
Economic activities are so varied. The term industry is used to cover a wide range of economic activities, which may involve making, supplying or delivering goods and services of a number of people.
Types of Economic Activities (Industries)
Primary Industries (Activities)
The simplest form of industries concerned with extraction of raw materials to be supplied to the other industries. Examples are Farming, Forestry, Fishing and Mining.
Secondary Industries (Activities)
These include both manufacturing and processing industries. In this category the raw materials are assembled or manufactured into finished goods. They are divided into two groups.
1. Heavy Industries
These are the industries, which produce heavy goods like metal goods, heavy chemical, locomotives and shipbuilding.
2. Light Industries
These are the industries, which produce light goods, example are like Textiles, making of electrical equipment, plastic goods, cosmetics, electronic gadgets, and toilet articles.
They involve re-processing of the partially manufactured goods to make more complex products like watches, radios, computers, books, clothes etc.
(i) Food processing, car assembly, manufacturing and building are secondary industries.
Tertiary Industries (Activities)
They are not a part of manufacturing at all but the industries whose jobs involve providing goods and services for the public. Examples are transport, trade, tourism, and entertainment, catering (hotel services) medicine (doctors).
Quaternary Industries (Activities)
These include people who provide specialist information and expertise to all the above sectors i.e. primary industry, secondary and tertiary industries. Example is research, design engineering (designers), and computer programming grown in summer in the region. In the wheat zone cotton, maize, potatoes, sugar beet, soya beans, peanuts, flax and tobacco are also grown. Nonetheless, Gargen vegetables are grown all over the country.
In the North and Northwest Grasslands Pastoral farming is dominant. Sheep, goats, cattle, horses and camels are reared. This area is too dry for arable farming since the amount of rainfall is usually below 500mm. In most parts of humid China, pigs and poultry are principal animals raised.
The Western Part
Is also too dry but there is farming around the oases (oases farming).
AGRICULTURAL (FARMING)
What is Agriculture?
Agriculture refers to a fundamental human activity, which involves cultivation of crops (arable farming) and domestication of animals (Livestock husbandry). It is categorized as primary industry since it involves the production of raw material that can be used by other industries.
IMPORTANCE OF AGRICULTURE
1. Food production for both people and animals. For example in the Corn Belt in America most of the maize produced (about 70% of the total production) is fed to the animals in the farm and the rest is used for other purposes including food for human being.
2. Provision of raw materials of production. For example, cotton production is very important for the manufacturing of clothes in the textile industries. In Tanzania cotton is grown in Mwanza and other regions and has been a great dynamo to the development of textile industries in Tanzania like MwaTex, Friendship textile mill, MuTex, Mbeya Tex, Karibu Textile Mills in Dar es Salaam etc.
3. Employment creation for the population which is growing fast. Some people are employed in the agricultural sector as laborers, managed etc.
4. Income generation for the government and individuals. The country can get foreign currency by exporting some cash crops like tea and coffee. Kenya for example exports tea to other countries like America, Tanzania etc where it is used for blending with other tea because of its high quality.
5. Provision of clothing materials as a result of growing fiber crops like cotton etc, which are later, used in the textile industries for manufacturing clothes.
6. It helps man to live settled life in village rather than wandering from place to place in search of the basic life necessities.
7. Generation of capital that can be invested in other sectors of the economy.
FACTORS INFLUENCING AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT (FARMING)
There are several factors which affect agricultural development and these are as follows.
1. Climate: Climate influences agriculture through the impact of rainfall, temperature and wind.
• Rainfall: Where there is adequate rainfall a variety of crops can be grown. But where there is poor rainfall agriculture tends to have poor performance. For example, in arid areas like desert, regions agriculture is usually poor due to lack of rainfall. Rainfall also affects distribution of crops. Crops, which need high rainfall like bananas, will be grown in areas that experience high rainfall like the coastal lands of east Africa and highland areas. The crops that need slight rainfall (like cotton and wheat) will grow in the areas, which experience little (slight) rainfall.
Rainfall also can affect agricultural by causing destruction of crops and human settlement. This happens when there are floods. Floods are very common in Bangladesh and lowlands of China. Apart from floods heavy rainfall can cause soil erosion leading to the reduction of arable land and other property. These predicaments associated with climatic vagaries can lead to poor agricultural performance.
• Temperature: Temperature affects germination of the seeds, growth rate and length of the growing season as well as soil development.
In warm areas plant growth takes place very fast unlike in the areas where the temperatures are very low like the tundra regions and highlands. Hence, moderate temperature like in Western parts of Europe encourages crop production and animal husbandry while where there temperature extremes (that is very high temperature or very low temperatures) agriculture tends to fail. If the area has very low temperatures the soils are frozen and hence lead to poor growth of crops and where the temperature is very high like in the tropical deserts the soils are very dry because of excessive evaporation hence discouraging plant growth and animal husbandry.
Microbial activities are also efficient where the temperature is high leading the high rate of organic decomposition and hence the addition of organic matter to the soil.
Optimum temperature for each crop encourages plant growth. Some crops need cool conditions and hence will be grow in areas which have cool conditions and hence will be grown in areas which have cool climate. Other crops need high temperatures and hence will be grown in the areas that have high temperature.
•Wind: Wind effects physical damage to crops especially when there are stormy winds like tornadoes, hurricanes etc. It can also cause soil erosion especially where the surface is bare usually in the desert and semi desert areas. Wind also accelerate evaporation and hence loss of water from the soil. However, wind also help in the pollination process and seed dispersal.
2. Edaphic (Soil) factors
Soil also influences agriculture both positively and negatively. Good soils, which are fertile and deep, encourage positive development of agriculture while poor soils, that is, infertile soils discourage agricultural development.
Soil also determines distribution of crops over space. Crops which need acidic soils will grow in the areas which have acidic conditions while the crops which need slight alkalinity will grow in the areas which have alkaline soils like the halophytic plants which grow in the areas with saline soils.
3. Topographic (Relief)
Nature of the relied affects agriculture either positively or negatively. For example on steep slopes or hilly areas mechanization is difficult while where the area has gentle slopes or flat surface mechanization can be carried out easily. The prairies of Canada have been developed into extensive wheat cultivation because of the gently sloping undulating surface, which has allowed easy mechanization. The undulating surface also has made soil drainage take place very easily.
Flat areas facilitate transportation of crops from the forms to the storage or mar
ket places. Mountainous areas pose problems of transportation. Altitudes influence the variation in temperatures such that high altitudes with very low temperatures limit agricultural activities. Low lands are prone to flooding; hence, they discourage the development due to being free of floods.
ket places. Mountainous areas pose problems of transportation. Altitudes influence the variation in temperatures such that high altitudes with very low temperatures limit agricultural activities. Low lands are prone to flooding; hence, they discourage the development due to being free of floods.
Aspect is another topographical factor. The slopes, which receive more people sunshine and reliable rainfall are conducive the development of agricultural while the slopes which do not receive enough sunshine and experience rain-shadow effect (dryness) are not conducive for agricultural development.
4. Economic Factors
Capital availability can influence agricultural development. The places where people have high capital modern farming can easily take place due to investment in new and sophisticated agricultural facilities like tractors etc. But where farmers have low or poor capital agricultural tends to be poor due to poor level of investment.
5. Marketing system
Good marketing system encourages agricultural development while poor marketing system discourages development of agricultural. Price fluctuation in farm products is a big problem in the development of agriculture. Most farmers are discouraged due to the price fluctuation or low prices especially in the developing world. If prices are stable and are high, farmers can produce more and more so as to raise their living standards.
6. Social Factors
a). Divisions of labor: In some societies most of the work in the farm is done by women and children. This results in poor performance of agricultural activities.
b). Tribal customs also affect the rearing of animals and growing of crops. For example some tribes keep large number of animals for prestigious purposes while others for marriage purposes. They do not keep them for sale in order to improve their family life standards.
c). Religious beliefs affect much agricultural development. For example the Muslims do not keep pigs since they believe that pigs are not clean animals.
d). Ownership and inheritance of land. This encourages land fragmentation since the increase in the number of family members forces the family heads to divide the land into small plots. Such land, which has been fragmented into small plots, cannot allow easy mechanization.
e) Transport and communication ( infrastructures)
f)Social services such as water, school, power, health services.
e) Transport and communication ( infrastructures)
f)Social services such as water, school, power, health services.
7. Technological Factors
Where there is advanced technology, agriculture is also more advanced because of the use of the scientific methods. But where farmers have low level of technology due to low education agricultural performance is usually poor. This is caused by domination of traditional farming methods that employ simple tools and techniques.
8. Biotic Factors
These include the influence of animals and plants on the agricultural development. They can have both positive and negative effects as follows:-
a). Some animals and birds destroy crops and cause great loss to the formers. Other animals like lions attract livestock in the farms or in the grazing areas. But animals can also facilitate pollination in plants and encourage production of fruits.
b). Weeds also compete for food with crops leading to low production. Sometimes the weeds produce poisonous chemicals and end up killing the crops.
c). There are some insects and fungi, which attack crops and lead to great destruction and losses in the farms. Sometimes insects help in the pollination process in plants.
c). There are some insects and fungi, which attack crops and lead to great destruction and losses in the farms. Sometimes insects help in the pollination process in plants.
9. Demographic Factors
These are related to changes in population. The rapid expansion of population poses a problem of pressure for land leading to poor development of agricultural. Population pressure can cause land fragmentation and bring problems in applying mechanization in the farms, which are, after all, small in size. Sometimes due to the increase in population the farmlands are changed into settlement areas leading to the reduction of the size of the arable land.
Like wise, population expansion has brought the problem of high dependency ratio. This is due to the fact that the number of children and old people is greater that the young and energetic people. This has negative impacts on agriculture since children and old people are not effective or efficient in the production process.
Population is also very migratory. There is high movement from rural to urban areas. The rural areas are left unattended because of lack of labor after the flow of the young people to the urban centers has taken place. This is a big problem in the Least Economically Developed Countries (LEDCs) and is indeed of grave concern to all the governments and their people. It is a problem that needs being addressed since it is ‘time bomb’ that has fatal effects to the society.
10. Political Factors
Where there are clear policies on agriculture associated with strong support by the government, agriculture develops very fast unlike where there are poor policies and weak support from the government. In European counties agriculture has developed positively in many areas due to the government involvement as well as formulation of clear agricultural policies. Likewise, the success in tea production in Kenya has been due to the strong support by the government.
When the government is not serious even farmers are discouraged since they cannot get a well – coordinated marketing system especially when it comes to exporting the cash crops.
FARMING AS A SYSTEM
Farming is a considered as a system because it has inputs, Processes and Outputs.
Inputs
The components, which go into a system and these, include both physical and human inputs. Physical inputs are like soil and climate (Rainfall and sunshine). Human inputs include fuel, chemicals, capital, experts, advice, technology, buildings, stock(cattle) and outside influences like grants.
Processes
Processes
These are the activities that take place in the farm so as to bring about products. They involve activities like clearing the land, cultivation, sowing, applying fertilizers, weeding, spraying, thinning, pruning, harvesting, processing, packing artificial insemination, milking feeding the animals irrigation etc. They are done in the farm.
Outputs
These are the products of the system. They include animal products like milk, hide, wool, fur, mohair, feathers, butter, meat, cheese etc. And crops like eye, barley, maize, rice, oats, potatoes, sugar meet, apples, Guavas, etc. The output can be either stored for human consumption or sent to the market to be sold for profit. The profit gives the farmer feedback in terms of the nature of the farming activity. The profit can be reinvested in a more advanced agriculture, but all depend on the farmer’s decision
Feedback
Include profit new information and technology etc. These can be reinvested into a farming system for further production.
CLASSIFICATION OF AGRICULTURE (TYPES OF FARMING SYSTEMS)
Agriculture (Farming) can be classified according to a number of characteristics as follows:-
i. According to Specialization
In this category there are systems like Arable farming which involves crop production; Pastoral farming which involves livestock keeping and mixed farming which involves both crop production and animal farming.
ii. According to Land Use Intensity:-
This includes systems like:
a. Intensive Farming
In which large amount of capital and or labor are applied to the small piece of land including the use of scientific methods of production so as to get high production. Horticulture is a good example.
b. Extensive Farming
This system takes place where large areas of land are worked by small labor force. This usually requires the use of modern machines. It takes advantage of economies of scale that producing highly on a large area using low labor costs.
iii. According to Economic Level and Purpose:
This category includes systems like;
-Commercial farming where production systems is intended for sale.
-Subsistence farming in which the produce is basically for food in the family.
iv. According to Nature of Land Tenure
Under this category farming systems can be identified as:-
a. Nomadic Farming
This is whereby people move from place to place in search of pasture and water supplies. In this system there can be included shifting cultivation (Migratory agriculture) and transhumance. Transhumance is a seasonal movement of people with their animals in search of pasture and water. In differs from nomadic farming in that there is permanent settlement. Nomads are the people keep on wandering from place to place in search of their basic needs for sustaining their life. In Africa nomads are like Fulani of West Africa and the Maasai of East Africa.
b. Semi – nomadic Farming (Semi – sedentary)
Is an intermediate farming system between sedentary and nomadic farming in wh
ich a farmer has started to settle and does not move for long distance. A farmer now practices mixed farming where livestock farming and crop production are carried out.
ich a farmer has started to settle and does not move for long distance. A farmer now practices mixed farming where livestock farming and crop production are carried out.
c. Sedentary Farming
Is the farming system, in which farmer does not move and has established a permanent settlement. The farmer grows crop and keeps animals. Cash crops are also grown for obtaining other necessary materials whose availability will need cash.
v. According to Methods of Production
a. Shifting Cultivation (Slash and Burn)
This is a system which involves the cultivation of a farm till the soil gets exhausted then a peasant moves to a new piece of land, clears it and cultivates. In this case a peasant does not expect to return to the original land.
b. Rotational Bush Following
It is the system of farming in which a piece of land is cultivated such that on getting exhausted the farm is left idle to regain its fertility. When the farm remains idle the forest or grass occupies the land to allow restoration of fertility in the soil. Meanwhile a farmer cultivates another piece of land but expects to return to the former land when the current land is exhausted and the former land is replenished (regains its fertility).
c. Factory Farming
The system practiced where the livestock are kept inside small units to produce high outputs at competitive prices.
d. Plantation Agriculture
This is a system in which farming take place on a large area (large estate) characterized with a high level of organization, administration and technology (Mechanization). Normally one type of crop is grown Plantations are basically monoculture in nature.
e. Analysis of Farming Systems
Farming systems are numerous but they can be categorized into arable farming systems are pastoral farming systems.
f. Arable Farming Systems
There are various arable farming systems and this range from traditional to modern arable farming systems. They include, Extensive subsistence farming systems.
A. SHIFTING CULTIVATION
Shifting cultivation is a system in which a peasant keeps on shifting from one area to another as result of soil exhaustion. In this aspect a peasant cultivates certain piece of land until the soil is exhausted then shifts to a new piece of land where he clears and cultivates. It is common in Africa, Tropical and Central America and South East Asia.
Farming is on self, sufficient basis in terms of food production. It is also called migratory or slashes and burn farming. Shifting cultivation has been given different names in different places; Milpa in Central America, Roca in Venezuela , Masole in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Shena in Sri – Lanka, Chitemene in Zambia and Ladang in Malaysia.
Characteristics of shifting cultivation.
1. Sites are selected in the virgin forest and therefore tend to be fertile.
2. Simple tools are used like hand hoes because of low technology.
3. It involves slash and burn of the bushes and grass so as to be able to cultivate using simple tools.
4. Few crops are grown most of them being starchy crops and no animal keeping.
5. It is practiced where there is low population for easy shifting.
6. It is practiced do not have permanent settlement since they expect to move any time.
7. The land is owned communally such that no one claims possession of certain piece of land.
8.It is associated with low production and low level of economy with little chance for improvement.
9. Production is for subsistence use since there is no surplus for sale.
10.Cultivated areas are usually scattered and small in size. This can bring problems of organization or management.
Advantages
1. The system is not costly since simple tools are used in the production process.
2. A farmer is assured of fertile soil due to the clearing of the virgin forest.
3. Food supply is assured since the family cultivates on self- sufficiency basis.
4. Family labor is used in the production process. This contributes to cheapness of the system.
5. Ashes add fertility to soil.
6. Inter cropping ensures the supply of a variety of crops though the yield is usually poor.
Disadvantages
1. There is low yield and hence no surplus for sale leading to low life standard or poverty.
2. Poor land use encourages deforestation and soil erosion.
3. Poor diet since most of the crops are starchy and animal farming is discouraged.
4. The system cannot apply where there is high population.
5. The use of fire kills micro-organisms in the soil.
6.Scattered nature of farms and their small size pose problems of organization and mechanization.
Decline in Shifting Cultivation
Shifting cultivation began declining as a result of the increase in population, advancement in technology, engagement in other economic activities and the influence of the government policies, which insists on stopping shifting cultivation, and embark on intensified sedentary agricultural activities.
B. ROTATION BUSH FALLOWING
Is the system of farming in which peasants cultivate a certain piece of land till it gets exhausted and then leaves it for a certain period to regain its fertility. It differs from shifting cultivation in that the farmer is settled and hence the farms are rotates rather than crops. It is therefore a simple form of sedentary farming.
The following period can range from 2 to three years depending on the density of population of the areas.
This system takes place after shifting cultivation fails to perform well due to the increase in population. As population increases a farmer is restricted to smaller area and hence is forced to settle and produce with more advanced technology
.
.
Characteristics of Rotational Bush Fallowing
1. Farmers are settled but the farms are the ones, which are rotated (Cultivated rotation or in turns).
2.Simple tools are also used though slightly more advanced than in shifting cultivation.
3. There is also the use of slash and burn methods due to low technology.
4. The communities can engage themselves into other activities like fishing and hunting.
5. It uses the technology, which is more advanced than shifting cultivation.
Advantages
1. Since people are settled they engage fully and effectively in the production process. There is no time wastage as it is shifting cultivation.
2. Slash and burn involved in the farm preparation adds fertility to the soil especially nitrogen.
3. Fallowing involves gives room for the improvement of soil terms of fertility and encourage the recovery of vegetation, which was disappearing.
4. It takes place where there is high population unlike shifting cultivation.
5. Because of being settled the farmers can engage themselves into other activities like fishing, hunting so as to get a variety of food products and other necessary materials.
Disadvantages
1. There is low production because of the use of low technology and simple tools.
2. Slash and burn can lead to environmental degradation as well as loss of biodiversity.
3. There is poor trade among the communities due to lack of surplus.
Intensive Subsistence Farming System
Is a system that involves cultivating on a small area using advanced technology to get high yield. This system takes place where there is high population and where there are possibilities of using animals or chemical manure to maintain fertility.
A farmer does not only produce food crops but also cash crops. The system is best developed in and practically confined to the monsoon lands of Asia (China, Japan, Korea, India, Pakistan, Sri-Lanka etc).
Crops grow include Wet paddy, Sorghum, Soya Beans, Maize, Sugar cane and vegetables. The farmers can carry out barter trade because of surplus production. Manual labor is used intensively.
Reasons for Changes in Agriculture from Extensive Subsistence Systems to Intensive Subsistence Systems
1. The changes from extensive subsistence systems to intensive subsistence systems have been caused by the following factors.
2. Decrease in the size of the arable land due to the increase in population.
3. Advancement in technology enabled people to produce highly on small areas.
4.Insistence from the government on encouraging people to live a settled life rather than a nomadic life. The governments also like leaving some areas for forest conservation.
5.Growth of trade has made agriculture change from subsistence to commercial farming following the need to raise the standard of living among the people.
6. Shifting cultivation is threatened by other activities like timber and ranching projects who are invading the arable land, Extensive commercial arable farming systems.
C. PLANTATION AGRICULTURE
It is a specialized commercial cultivation of cash crops on a large area. Plantations are sometimes called ESTATES. They are common in many parts or Asia, Africa and tropical and sub-tropical America. Initially they were managed by the people from the colonizing countries, but recently the many governments of different respective countries have taken control. Main crops include tea, coffee, cocoa, palm oil, banana, rubber, sugar cane and sisal.
Characteristics;
1. Farms are highly organized and scientifically managed.
2. It is monoculture (involve growing of one type of crop)
3. The farms are large and which can be 100 to 400 hectares and above.
4. It needs large labor supply.
5. There is the use of advanced technology (mechanization) for example there are processing factories like decorticators and coffee pulpers as well as hulleries.
6. The farms can be owned by the government or companies.
7. Plantation agriculture is capital intensive in the sense that it needs high capital to establish.
Advantages
1. The quality of crops and yield is high (Surplus is produced).
2. Diseases and pests are controlled to keep damage at minimum and raise output.
3. It is efficient due to the use of machinery.
4. There is effective use of land.
5. There is steady supply of crops for the market.
6. It provides employment
7. It is also provides housing facilities, schools and health care.
8. The people around get new technology in agriculture.
9. Plantations encourage industrial development.
10. Stimulate the development of infrastructure and communication system.
11. Contributes to the generation of government revenue.
12. Promotes the living standard of the people.
13. It makes the country well known worldwide.
Disadvantages of Plantations
1. It is mono cultural and this leads to soil degradation.
2. Large areas are cleared encouraging desertification.
3. Most crops grown are sent overseas.
4. The formers concentrate on cash crop production rather than food production.
5. Local people are often exploited.
6. It encourages labor immigration leading to social problems.
7. They suffer price fluctuation in the world market.
8. They suffer high capital for investment and hence they are expensive to establish.
9. Mechanization can lead to unemployment since machines start doing what could be done by several people especially cultivation and harvesting using the combine harvesters.
10. Plantations can also lead to unevenness in the level of development within a country. The areas around plantations develop faster than areas far away from the plantations.
10. Plantations can also lead to unevenness in the level of development within a country. The areas around plantations develop faster than areas far away from the plantations.
Limitations of Development of Plantations in the Developing Countries:
1. Low capital for investment and they are expensive to establish, hence poor countries suffer.
2. Land is becoming smaller and smaller due to population exploitation.
3. Mismanagement of fund by the government as well as poor agricultural policies.
4. Poor transport and communication is another hindering factor. There are poor reads and transport facilities posing problems in the distribution of farm inputs and products.
5. Frequent civil wars such as in Rwanda, Burundi and Nigeria discourage this type of agriculture.
6. Climate vagaries like drought, too much rain fall, frost action especially in the margins of subtropical areas and destructive stormy winds discourage the development of plantation agriculture.
7. Frequent fires destroy crops. This is a common problem in tropical regions.
8. Price fluctuation in world market.
9. There is rapid growth of population which leads to pressure for land and land fragmentation.
10.Low technology among the people is another hindrance for the development of plantation agriculture in the developing countries.
11.Some areas like the Congo basin have dense and impenetrable forests. Therefore, people are automatically discouraged to waste time clearing these areas for plantation agriculture.
12.Rapid deterioration of soils especially in the tropical and equatorial areas due to leaching.
13.Prevalence of diseases and pests that attack crops discourage farmers.
EXAMPLES OF PLANTATION CASH CROPS
1. COTTON
Requirements
1. Temperature should be over 250 C (Warm temperature) it needs an annual rainfall of 800-1000mm. Rainfall should be concentrated during the early growing season. The picking season should be dry.
2. The soil should be fertile and well drained, e.g. black cotton soils of Sukuma, locally known as ‘IBYSHI’.
3. It needs abundant labor during the picking season.
Production
1. It is grown on small of the size between 2 to 4 hectares.
2. The cultivation process largely done by hand although in some areas the farms are larger and ox- ploughs or tractors may be used.
3. Cotton is planted either in ridges or on flat hand.
4. Most picking is done by hand.
Answer
1. In Tanzania: Mwanza, Bukoba, Musoma, Tabora, Shinyanga, Kigoma, Tanga.
2. In Kenya, cotton is grown in Nyanza District.
3. In Uganda cotton is grown in Buganga District.
Processing
1.After picking, cotton is sorted by hand and then graded, into AR = the best grade, uncontaminated. BR = Cotton (Left overs)
2.Then the farmer sells cotton. Cotton is then transported to the ginnery where seeds are separated from the lint and the lint is compressed into bales of 182kg. Then the lint is sold for being used in industries.
3.Cotton in Tanzania led to the development of industries like the Urafiki textile Mill, SunguraTex, MwaTex, KilTex, (Arusha), MbeyaTex, and MuTex in Musoma.
By Products
Seeds are crushed and squeezed to produce oil, Margarine.
Problems Facing Cotton production in Tanzania
1. Unreliable rainfall.
2. Loss due to disease and insect pests that attack crops in the farms.
3. Decline in fertility that leads to the fall in yields.
4. Poor transport and communication.
2. TEA
Requirements
Tea grows best under the following conditions:
1. Relatively cool temperature of about 100â‚’c
2. Rainfall from 1000 to 1300mm hence is confined to altitudes 1500 to 2000m.
3. It needs a sloping land.
4. Well drained soils which are slightly acidic, deep and fertile
5. Much cheap labor especially during the picking period.
Growing Areas are:
Usambara, Iringa, Mbeya in (Tanzania), Kenya highlands especially Kericho, the slopes of Ruwenzori in Uganda, Also in Malawi, India, Sri Lanka, Java, China and Japan
Preparation and Planting
Tea can be propagated by seed or vegetatively by cutting or budding. Young plants are transplanted at the beginning of the rains. Transplanting is done at a spacing of 120cm x 75cm.
Care Given to Crops
1. Young plants should be shaded for few weeks.
2.Mulching should be done in that newly established tea estate to prevent excessive evaporation.
3. Apply fertilizers containing Nitrogen.
4. There should be spraying, weeding, pruning.
Harvesting
1. First picking is ready after three years. But usually it is after four years and the harvesting goes on to 50 years.
2. Plucking goes on throughout the year and the leaves picked are sent to the factory for processing.
Processing
1. The tea leaves are dried in the sun for a day or two to remove moisture.
2. The leaves are rolled to break up the fibers.
3. Leaves are dried again or baked highly over charcoal. They turn reddish brown.
4. The leaves are fermented to remove tannic aced that can affect the flavor.
5. The leaves are roasted and dried over fire until they are black in color.
6. The leaves are sieved to remove stems and other unwanted particles.
7. The leaves are graded and packed for export.
3. SISAL
Sisal is grown for its fiber used for making ropes, string, sacking, carpets, etc.
Required Conditions
1. Need high temperatures ranging between 250 C to 300C.
2. Slight rainfall (650 – 1250mm)
3. Tolerates a wide range of soil conditions. But it should be well drained.
4. It is drought resistant
Areas
Tanga, Muranga, Machakos and Taita – Taveta in Kenya
Production
1. Bulbils are grown in nurseries and after a year are transplanted in double rows.
2. The cutting of leaves starts after two year
s and may go on up to 5 and 10 years.
s and may go on up to 5 and 10 years.
3. The cut leaves are transported by tractors or trucks or rail carts to the decorticators where the leaves are crushed and the fiber is separated from the leaf.
4. The fiber is then washed and dried in the sun.
In sisal estates, cultivation is mechanized but planting, transplanting and cutting are done by hand. Weeding can be either manual or mechanized.
4. PYRETHRUM
Pyrethrum bears white flowers which contain toxic substance called Pyrethrene which is used to manufacture insecticides.
Conditions
1. Fairly high rainfall (1000 to 1500mm), which must be well distributed.
2. It needs a dry spell during the flowering and harvesting stages.
3. It needs cool and moist climate.
4. Altitude between 1800 to 3000m above sea level.
5. It needs fairly fertile soil, well drained, and limed volcanic soils.
Cultivation / harvesting
1. Pyrethrum seeds are first planted in nurseries
2. Then the seedlings are transplanted in rows on the farm
3. Weeding is dome to encourage plant growth by reducing competition for food.
4. Harvesting is done by hand and it takes place after one year.
5. The picked leaves are dried under the sun or over burners.
6. The dry flowers are bagged and transported to factories.
Processing
In the factory pyrethrum is crushed into power and then into active liquid form. Then Pyrethrene is extracted in the liquid form. It is finally containerized for export or local consumption.
Uses of Pyrethrum
Manufacture of insecticides, disinfectants and mosquito coils.
5. SUGAR CANE
Conditions
1. High temperature between 21°C and 27°C throughout the year.
2. It needs abundant rainfall of at least 1270mm, if it grows without irrigation.
3. It needs deep fertile soils which can retain water. The soil must be well drained.
4. It needs flat or undulating land for easy mechanization.
5. They are high need for cheap labor.
6. Infrastructure is required for transporting the cane to the factories.
7. Large capital is required for acquired for acquiring the machinery and other equipment needs for manufacturing processes.
Cultivation and Processing
1. Cutting from old plants are planted.
2. It manure’s after 16 – 24 months, depending on the crop variety.
3. Little work is done during the growing period except weeding in the early stages.
4. Before harvesting the field may be set on fire to get rid of foliage, pests, reptiles and other dangerous animals.
5. Then cutting starts using sharp pangas.
6. Sugar cane are loaded on to the trucks and ferried to the factory.
Processing
1. The cane is crushed between rollers and then boiled with lime.
2. Sugar is allowed to crystallize to form the row or brown sugar.
3. Finally brown sugar is refined to give brown and white sugar in different grades.
4. The by – products of crushing are used in different ways: e.g. the cane residue (Bagasse) can be used for furl, manure pr fodder. It can be used for producing paper, fiber boards, or synthetic textiles. Molasses is commonly used to process alcohol and produce fuel alcohol. Sugarcane can be grown on small farms and estates like Kilombero. Also Kenya, America and Australia.
6. COCOA
It’s a beverage crop.
Areas
Central America, Ghana, Nigeria, Cote d’ Ivories, Cameroon and East Indies
Requirements
1. High temperature to above 25°C
2. High rains at least 1100mm and above without a dry spell.
3. It needs shading to protect it from strong sunlight and strong wind which can destroy flowers.
4. Absence of strong winds. Hence, windbreakers are necessary.
5. Soils should be fertile, deep and well drained. Loamy sold rich in iron and potassium are ideal but light clays are also sustainable.
6. Labor it needs high labor supply.
Cultivation
1. Plants are propagated from seeds. It grown in the forest area of West Africa on small farms and estates.
2. Trees are planted about 3m apart.
3. It needs occasional weeding, manuring, etc. During harvesting the ripe pods are removed from the trucks and branches using a long knife. The crop is harvested twice a year.
Cocoa Processing
1. Splitting of cocoa pods using machetes to get the beans.
2. Beans are fermented (1 week) to remove unpleasant taste and to prevent germination.
3. Then the beans are washed and sun – dried.
4. Dry beans are bagged and transported to the factory.
5. Then they are cleaned, roasted and husks are removed to remain with “coco nibs”
6. Then cocoa nibs are ground into powder, ready for consumption.
7. The powder can be used for making chocolate.
In Ghana
The Southern part is the major cocoa producing area. The greatest concentration is the cocoa triangle formed by towns like Accra, Kumasi and Takoradi.
7. OIL PALM
1. It originated in West Africa countries producing include, Nigeria, DTC, Ghana, Cote d’lvore.
2. Uses of palm oil.
3. Palm oil is produced from the palm tree. Also kernel oil is manufactured. The oil is good for cooking.
4. Remnants are used for animal feed and as fertilizer.
5. Also the residues can be used for fuel.
6. It is grown both on small farms and large farms.
Conditions
1. Heavy rains of about 2,030mm which are well distributed.
2. High relative humidity.
3. High temperature to 270C and plenty of sunshine.
4. It tolerates a wide variety of soils.
5. Wind brakes should be set up to protect the trees.
6. Manure and fertilizers should be frequently added.
Cultivation
1. After the land is cleaned, the young palms are transplanted from the nurseries.
2. Spraying and weeding are done
Processing
1. After harvesting, he fruits are cooked in streams.
2. Then the pulp is separated from the kernel.
3. The pulp is pressed to extract palm oil and the kernel is crushed to remove the shells.
4. Then the kernel oil is extracted.
8. CLOVES
Conditions
1. High temperature throughout the year.
2. Heavy and reliable rain of not less than 1400mm.
3. Deep fertile soils.
4. High humidity throughout the year.
5. Plenty of cheap labor during harvesting.
Areas
West Indies, Zanzibar, Mauritius
1. It is grown in large plantations
2. Seeds are sown in the nursery bed
3. Seedlings are transplanted.
Harvesting
Just before the flowers open, the buds are picked by hand. This is done twice a year. Harvesting can go on for some 50 years.
Processing
1. The picked dubs are dried, then processed and packed ready for export.
2. Oil of cloves is made and is used in preparing Vanilla flavoring.
3. It is added to sweets, cakes, cigarettes, and chocolates.
4. Oil is used also in the manufacture of perfume, soap and medicine.
9. WHEAT
It is widespread in the temperature zones. It is cultivate in other regions.
Countries
Kenya, Canada, USA, China, Argentina (Pampas), Australia (Australian downs), India Russia (Ukraine stepper), France (Paris Basin)
Conditions
1. Average temperature should not exceed 20°C or fall below-60°C. The weather should be warned during the early period of growth with sunny and dry conditions.
2. It needs slight rainfall from 305mm to 1,015mm.
3. Light clay or heavy loam soil is suitable. The soil should be will drained and fertile.
4. Rolling topography is good because if facilities drainage and the use of machinery.
5. It is produced on a large scale in plantations. It is used for making different species but three major types are commercially cultivated.
10. COFFEE
Is also a beverage crop and is of different species. There are some forty different species but three major types are commercially cultivated.
These include;-
1. Arabica: This type of coffee is the most important in the world trade. It originated from the Mocha coffee native to the Arabian Peninsula. It is grown in the major producing countries like Brazil. It is the least hardy of the major coffee species. It also grows in East Africa.
2. Robusta Is the West African variety which is hardy but yields poorer quality coffee. It can survive even in arid conditions and is diseases – resistant.
3. Liberica. This too is hardy and disease-resistant species. It is indigenous to Liberia and suited to lowland rather than to upland conditions. It gives them heavy yields of moderate- quality coffee. Both Robusta and Arabica are widely grown in Africa, mostly by small holders. They are particularly suitable for making ‘Instant coffee’ and are gaining greater importance.
Conditions
1. Temperature: Coffee can do well in hot climates with day
temperature about 320C. But it is usually grown in highland conditions (cool conditions) where the temperatures range from 140C to 260C (570C to 780F).
temperature about 320C. But it is usually grown in highland conditions (cool conditions) where the temperatures range from 140C to 260C (570C to 780F).
2.It needs high rainfall (1500mm to 2250mm), which is well distributed.
3. Shade is necessary to prevent direct sunlight from affecting the trees when they are still young.
4. Upland conditions 610m to 1830m (2000ft to 6000ft) are preferred.
5. Soils should be fertile and well drainage. Hence, volcanic soils like those of Brazil containing Potash and organic material are the best.
6. It needs protection from the strong wind using windbreakers.
7. These should be a good supply of labor. The harvesting process needs alt of labor since coffee involves hand picking.
Cultivation
Coffee seeds are selected and then propagated or sown in nursery beds 2 to 3 cm deep. After about six months it is transplanted to the field. The plants are positioned 3 meters apart.
The plants are cared for through shading, watering, weeding, manuring, spraying and pruning.
Harvesting
Harvesting may start years after planting but a good harvest starts after four of five years.
Coffee picking is done by hand by removing the ripe berry from the stalk. Picking is selective so as to control the quality of coffee. The harvesting interval is from 7 to 14 days.
Coffee Processing
1. Pulping: Passing the berries through the machine to remove the cover or pulp.
2. Then the beans are fermented. Fermentation can be done by heaping the beans for about for 12 to 24 hours.
3. Curing involve washing and sun drying.
4 . After curing the machines peel off two layers of inner husks. Then the beans are winnowed and graded.
5. After grading they are packed in sacks for export. The importing countries roast the beans and then grind them into powder which is later used to make beverage.
Production countries include: Brazil, Uganda, Ethiopia, Angola, Senegal, Ivory Coast, Mexico, Indonesia, Guatemala, India, Kenya, Malagasy, Cameroon and Tanzania in Mbeya, Kilimanjaro and Bukoba.
Production countries include: Brazil, Uganda, Ethiopia, Angola, Senegal, Ivory Coast, Mexico, Indonesia, Guatemala, India, Kenya, Malagasy, Cameroon and Tanzania in Mbeya, Kilimanjaro and Bukoba.
11. RUBBER
Conditions for growing rubber:
1. Constant high temperatures of around 270C and should not be below 210C.
2. Rainfall should be high at least 1525mm to 2540mm. It should be well distributed.
3. It can grow in different types of soils but the ideals soil should be deep, fertile, well drained, heavy and acidic. Cover crops can be grown to reduce soil erosion.
4. Land should be flat or gently undulating but highlands are not suitable. This is because it needs mechanization during cultivation.
5. Plenty of shade during its early stages of growth (this is often provided by inter-planting with banana trees.)
6. It needs a lot labor especially during the harvesting time.
Rubber Cultivation
1. The land is first cleared to establish the estate or small holdings.
2. Majority of rubber trees are propagated by bud grafting. This is done by sowing rubber seeds in damp fertile soil in nursery, where they quickly germinate. After about nine months the young rubber plants are about 6.3 meters (12 inches) high, a bud from a very high yielding parent tree is grafted onto each of the young rubber trees which then are transplanted in rows in the plantation.
Harvesting
Harvesting is done through tapping. The trees are ready for tapping after about seven years. Such a long time makes it difficult to invest a large amount of capital which is required for the establishment of a plantation, because for seven years there is no return on the capital investment. Also, it is difficult to forecast what the demand of rubber will be seven years from sowing the seed.
Tapping of the Trees:-
1. This takes place before day-break because this time the later (white milky liquid) flows best.
2. Tapping consists of cutting a thin bark from the truck of the trees. The latex oozes out into the cup. After few hours the latex ceases to flow out. The cups are emptied and the latex is taken to the rubber factory.
Processing
In the factory, the latex is first diluted with water and then poured into aluminum tanks where it is coagulated by adding small quantities of acetic or formic acid. The solid rubber is then passed through rolled at squeeze out water and produce sheets, which are then cut into standard sizes. The sheets are later dried after which they are graded by holding them to the light to see whether they contain holes or bits of foreign matter such as wood. They are then packed into bales for export.
Areas Producing Rubber
Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, India, Sri Lanka, Nigeria, Liberia, Vietnam etc.
Limitations (Drawbacks) of Large Scale Farming in Tanzania
1. Low capital for investment.
2. Land is becoming smaller and smaller due to the increase in population and land degradation.
3. There is poor support by the government.
4. Climate problems like drought and too much rainfall that causes floods.
5. Price fluctuation and especially low prices discourage the farmers.
6. Rural – urban migration lead to the problem of labor supply.
7. Mismanagement of fund set for agriculture as well as poor agricultural policies.
Advantage (Importance of Growing Cash Crops in Any Country)
1. They encourage the development of industries for example the cultivation of cotton can lead to the development of textile industries like Mute, Kiltex, Mwatex, and Friendship textile mills.
2. They countries to the generation of capital and the government revenue.
3. They stimulate the development of transport and communication systems.
4. They lead to the creation employment opportunities.
5. Encourage the improvement of the living standard of the people in the country.
Give an Account of the Agricultural Development in South Africa
Apart from mining of gold, diamond, uranium, platinum, coal, iron and manganese and industrial production, South Africa involves itself in agricultural production. The main crops are maize, which is largely produced in the ‘maize triangle’ located between Ermelo, Lichtenburg and Lady brand and wheat which is grown in winter in the Southern Cape Province, the Eastern Orange Free State and Transvaal. In the Transvaal wheat is produced under irrigation. Other crops include sugarcane, tobacco, potatoes, cotton and groundnuts.
Farm Organization
There are some estates and small holdings some of which are under irrigation. The areas for cultivation include:
1. The Natal where sugarcane estates are located, Cape Province (Mediterranean) where tobacco, wheat and fruits are grown. The fruits include important grapes (under viticulture), lemons, organs etc. Other areas are in the Orange Free State.
2. Livestock is also important in South Africa. In drier areas sheep rearing, mainly for wool, is important. About two thirds of sheep kept in South Africa are Merino type which yield fine wool. Cattle are reared where rainfall exceeds 500mm a year. Dairy cattle are mainly fond in Southern Transvaal, northern Orange Free State and in south East Cape Province and around big towns such as Johannesburg and Cape Town. About half of all cattle in South Africa belong to African cattle rearers.
FACTORS THAT FACILITATED THE DEVELOPMENT OF AGRICULTURE IN SOUTH AFRICA
1. Conducive climate which allows the growth of a variety of crops, the climate ranges from Humid subtropical, continental interior, Mediterranean to Semi arid conditions.
2. Availability of good and deep soils which are fertile. The soils are well drained in many areas especially the highlands.
3. The availability of capital, which was invested in agriculture, has been another factor. The country is the richest in Africa and capital availability has been easy due to mining and industry.
4. Fast development of transport and communication. In the continent, South Africa has the densest network of railway lines and roads. This has also encouraged the development of agriculture since the products and inputs can be transported easily.
5. Advanced technology used in agriculture has been another factor. The farming system especially in the estates in mechanized leading to high production.
6. The government support has been another factor. The government has been supporting the farmers in terms of financial support and advice.
7. Labor availability in the country due to high population. Some of the people are from the other neighboring Africa countries. These offer labor in the estates.
8. Market availability due to the development of other sectors like mining, industry and tourism. These press demand for food and hence encourage the development of agriculture.
9. Water availability from precipitation and rivers especially the Orange River has encouraged irrigation.
1 Comment