Large Scale Agriculture

1. Involves the production of cash crops
2. Only one crop is produced
3. Farms are very large found in sparsely populated areas
4. Use of high levels of technology hence high capital
5. It involve the use of skilled and unskilled laborers

1. Productivity is very high and large amounts of capital/income is obtained
2. Risk of pests and diseases is highly reduced
3. Promotes the growth of other sectors
4. Promote the development of social services i.e. housing, electricity and water supply
5. Provides employment to the people
6. It is the source of foreign money exchange

1. Large capital is needed
2. Fluctuation of price in the world market
3. It causes unequal development in different areas
4. Loss of soil fertility due to continuous application of artificial fertilizers for example ammonia sulfate
5. It involves the exploitation of workers
6. It causes air pollution
7. It may cause separation of people away from home

1. Population increase which resulted into shortage of land
2. Lack of government support
3. Loss of soil fertility due to the act of practicing monoculture

1. The government should enact and implement laws about population increase e.g. family planning policy
2. The government should improve transport and communication systems such as railways, roads etc.
3. The government should control rural-urban migration to overcome the problem of labor supply
4. The government should provide loans/capital to the farmers
5. The government/stakeholders should encourage the use of modern farming methods such as the use of machine and fertilizer

Refers to the large farm or large area of land designed for agricultural growth. Often includes housing for the owner and workers. The crops planted for commercial purposes.

The Major Crops Grown in Plantation Agriculture

Coffee

There are several types of coffee but the famous ones are three;

1. Arabica; have large leaves and can grow to 9m high; it has the finest flavor
2. Robusta; they grow up to 5m tall
3. Liberica; it is a low land coffee

Uses of Coffee

1. Beverage packing
2. Source of income
3. Leaves are used as medicine to treat stomach aches
4. Trees are used as fire wood
5. Pulps are used for fertilizers

Cotton

It is an annual crop, which is divided into three varieties basing on the size of the fibrous and the lint. It is grown in Egypt and Persia. In Kenya, cotton is grown in Nyanza district while in Uganda cotton is grown in the Buganda District.

Tea

Tea is grown in Tanzania mainly in Mbeya, Bukoba, Iringa, Kagera and Tanga regions. Cotton in Kenya, cotton is grown in Nyanza district while in Uganda cotton is grown in the Buganda District.

Sisal

In Tanzania sisal is mostly grown in Tanga, Kilimanjaro, Arusha, Morogoro, Lindi and Mtwara regions. Mombasa, Thika, Murang'a, Machakos and Taita Taveta are areas where sisal is produced in Kenya.

Wheat

The wheat yields in the world are highest from countries of Western Europe. The following are leading producers of wheat: Russia, USA, China, India, Canada, France, Turkey, Australia, Pakistan, Germany, Romania, Italy and Argentina. In East Africa, Kenya is the leading producer of wheat followed by Tanzania.