Write explanatory notes on any four of the following (a) Cocoa growing in western Nigeria (b) Oil palm production in the eastern states (c) Rice cultivation...

Answer Details

Explanatory notes on any four of the following:

(a) Cocoa growing in Western Nigeria

Cocoa is the leading cash crop of the south-west (Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Ogun, Ekiti). It thrives on the region's hot, wet climate (over 1200 mm rain), deep well-drained forest soils and shade. It is grown mainly on small peasant farms, takes several years to mature, and the dried beans are a major export earning foreign exchange. Problems include ageing trees, pests/diseases (black pod, capsid) and price fluctuations.

(b) Oil palm production in the eastern states

The oil palm flourishes in the high rainfall and forest soils of the south-east and Niger Delta. It is largely gathered from semi-wild and small-holder groves, yielding palm oil and palm kernel used locally and for export. It provides food, cooking oil, soap-making material and income, but output is limited by reliance on wild palms, low-yielding varieties and simple processing methods.

(c) Rice cultivation in the middle belt

Rice is widely grown in the middle belt (Benue, Niger, Kwara) in river valleys and fadama (flood-plain) land where seasonal flooding provides water. Both swamp (wet) and upland rice are grown, mostly by small farmers. It is a staple food and cash crop, but faces problems of poor water control, pests, and inadequate milling and storage.

(d) Intensive farming in the Kano close-settled zone

Around Kano is one of Africa's most densely populated rural areas, where land is farmed very intensively and continuously. Farmers use manure (from livestock and household refuse), crop rotation, intercropping and permanent cultivation to keep the land productive. Crops include guinea corn, millet, groundnuts, cowpeas and vegetables, often combined with livestock keeping. Pressure on land is high, so holdings are small and every piece of land is used.