(a) Draw a sketch map of Nigeria. On it show and name the: (i) cocoa belt; (ii) groundnut belt; (iii) one town in the groundnut belt. (b) Outline three phys...

(a) Sketch map of Nigeria

Key: The shaded south-western belt represents the cocoa belt. The hatched northern belt represents the groundnut belt. Kano is shown as a town in the groundnut belt.

(b) Physical conditions required for groundnut production in Nigeria

1. Moderate rainfall: annual rainfall of about 500 to 1,000 mm, sufficient for growth but not excessive.
2. A long dry, sunny season: this permits ripening, harvesting, drying and safe storage of the nuts.
3. Loose, well-drained sandy or loamy soil: this allows the pegs and pods to develop easily in the soil and prevents waterlogging.

Other acceptable conditions include wide level plains for mechanised cultivation and temperatures of about 25°C to 30°C.

(c) Contributions of groundnut production to the economy of Nigeria

1. It provides employment and income for farmers, traders, transporters and processors.
2. It earns foreign exchange through the export of groundnuts, groundnut oil and cake.
3. It supplies raw materials to industries producing vegetable oil, margarine, soap and groundnut cake.
4. It provides food for people and cake for livestock feed.
5. It has encouraged the development of roads, railways, markets and towns, especially in northern Nigeria.