SUBJECT:AGRICULTURAL
SCIENCE
WEEK FIVE
CLASS: GRADE 7
TOPIC: PLANT FORMS AND DISTRIBUTION OF
CROPS (CONTINUED)
SUBTOPIC: FACTORS
AFFECTING DISTRIBUTION OF CROPS
A. Physical
Climate:
Climatic factors
include;
1. Temperature: Most
plants cannot grow if the temperature falls below 6°C or the soil is frozen for
five consecutive months. As a consequence many areas are unsuitable for crop
cultivation.
2. The growing
season: The number of days between the last frost of the spring and the
first of the autumn. Different crops require different lengths of growing
season. In Nigeria, there are two major seasons; rainy season and dry season.
Crops are mostly grown during rainy seasons.
3. Altitude: This
affects temperature so it also affects farming. When temperatures are
consistently high with sufficient precipitation high yield crops such as rise
can be grown. These have the added advantage of producing up to three crops a
year.
4. Rainfall: Water
is obviously a key factor in plant growth. The greater the average temperature
the greater the amount of water required for plant growth. Seasonal variation
is important as different crops require water at different times.
5. Wind: Wind
can have a destructive effect on crops. At its most severe a hurricane can
physically destroy thousands of acres of farmland. Less severe but also harmful
are the winds that dry soils so reducing moisture and increasing the potential
for soil erosion.
Soil: Soil type will influence crop cultivation
because different crops prefer different soils. Clay soils with their high
water retention are well suited to rice whilst sandy soils with good drainage
are good for root vegetables.
Soil type can be
influenced through the input of lime, clay or fertilizer but this can only make
limited differences.
Slope: The angle of slope will affect the type, depth
and moisture content of soil. It will also affect the rate of soil erosion. The
degree to which a farm can be mechanized is influenced by slope.
B. Human
Land tenure: In the developed world a large percentage of
farmers are owner-occupiers. Consequently they have a large
incentive to become more efficient and improve land and buildings. The extent
of their investment and success will depend on the market place and political
systems.
In the developing world
farmers are less likely to be owner-occupiers. Instead they will probably
be tenants or landless labourers.
Market: For any commercial farm to succeed there must be demand. If the demand for a crop drops then profits will fall. That crop will then be replaced by a more profitable one.
Transport is an important factor in determining
location of farm types. If a product is bulky such as potatoes then it should
be grown close to the market place to cut down on transport costs. If the good
is perishable then again it should be grown close to the market place.
The effects of transport
have been greatly reduced in the developed world because of innovations such as
refrigerated lorries. The transportation available and the transport network
will have a large influence on the distribution of agricultural systems. Many
subsistence farms could not sell surpluses even if they had them because of the
costs involved in transporting the surplus to the market place.
Capital: In the developed world there is a well-established
system of supportive banks, private investors and government subsidies. This
means that agriculture is likely to be capital intensive and highly
mechanized. Cereal growing and dairy farming are good examples.
In the developing world
the systems of capital support are less developed. In addition farmers have
little capital of their own. Borrowing is difficult (especially with the small
farms typical of many subsistence farmers) and incurs high interest rates.
Tree crops take several
years to mature so the farmer will have to wait a long time for return on his
investment. If he does not have a capital reserve then this is not an option.
Technology: New technology is always increasing efficiency
and yields but technology costs money. Therefore the gap between the developed
and developing world is growing.
Government: Government policies will have a direct or
indirect effect on the prevalent agricultural system.
ASSIGNMENT
1. Discuss the human
factors affecting the distribution of crops.
2. Discuss the physical
factors affecting the distribution of crops.
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