(a) On an outline map of Africa, locate and name (i) two areas important for fruit farming (ii) two areas important for irrigation agriculture (iii) one imp...

Answer Details

(a) Outline map of Africa

• (i) Two areas important for fruit farming: the Mediterranean coastlands of North Africa (Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia - citrus, grapes, olives) and the south-western Cape region of South Africa (grapes, citrus, deciduous fruits). (The Nile Delta and the Kenya highlands are also acceptable.)
• (ii) Two areas important for irrigation agriculture: the Nile Valley and Delta in Egypt/Sudan and the Gezira scheme between the Blue and White Nile (Sudan). (The inland Niger delta in Mali is also acceptable.)
• (iii) One important town in each area: for fruit farming - Cape Town (or Casablanca); for irrigation - Cairo (or Wad Medani for the Gezira).

Label the coastline, the Nile, and a key distinguishing fruit-farming from irrigation areas.

(b) Three problems facing the cultivation of fruits in the area selected (e.g. the Cape/Mediterranean fruit belt)

• Water shortage and summer drought: the dry, hot summers mean fruit trees need costly irrigation, and water can be scarce.
• Pests and diseases: insects, fungi and plant diseases attack the fruits, lowering yield and quality unless expensive spraying is done.
• Perishability, storage and transport problems: fruits spoil quickly, so poor storage, refrigeration and transport lead to heavy losses before they reach distant markets.
• Marketing and price fluctuations: competition and unstable world prices reduce farmers' incomes; frost and strong winds can also damage crops.