(a) In what four ways has the physical setting of the Sokoto plains of Nigeria influenced the types of econc activities in the region? (b) Highlight any fou...

(a) Four ways the physical setting of the Sokoto plains has influenced economic activities:

• Extensive flat plains and fertile fadama (flood-plain) soils have encouraged crop farming, especially of guinea corn, millet, rice, wheat and vegetables, particularly in the river valleys.
• The semi-arid (Sudan/Sahel) climate with a long dry season and open grassland favours livestock rearing (cattle, sheep, goats) and has made the area a leading grazing and cattle-trading region.
• The seasonal rivers (Sokoto and Rima) and their fadama land support dry-season irrigation farming and fishing.
• The dry climate and abundant sunshine favour the growing of cotton and groundnuts, which feed local textile weaving, dyeing, tanning and other agro-based crafts.

(b) Four problems of development facing the region:

• Unreliable rainfall and drought: the low and variable rainfall causes crop failure and shortage of water for people and animals.
• Poor soils and desertification: in places soils are thin and sandy, and advancing desert and soil erosion reduce farmland.
• Inadequate infrastructure: shortage of good roads, electricity, water supply and industries limits development.
• Population pressure and overgrazing: heavy grazing and farming degrade the land, and there is limited employment outside agriculture.

(c) Two ways any of these problems could be solved:

• Provision of irrigation and dams (for example the Bakolori and Goronyo dams) to store water and support farming through the dry season, tackling the water-shortage problem.
• Afforestation and shelter-belts to check desert encroachment and soil erosion, and improved farming methods to conserve the soil.