Posted by Chester Morton / Monday 2 January 2017 / No comments
Agriculture in West Africa: key features that do not help the economy
FEATURES OF AGRICULTURAL ACTIVITY IN ENGLISH SPEAKING WEST AFRICA
One of the features of agriculture in English speaking West
Africa is that the land that is cultivated by the farmers is small. The land is
held in trust by family heads or chiefs and is released to family members for
use. Dividing the land over and over again has resulted in situation where only
small portions of the lands are available to the people to cultivate.
It is mostly subsistence
Another feature of agriculture is that it is done on
subsistence bases. Most of the farmers cultivate the land to feed themselves
and their families. They do not farm on commercial bases to sell to others or
for exports.
Methods of farming are rudimentary
The method of farming that is employed by the people in
English speaking West Africa by most farmers is still basic. Most of the
farmers still stick to slash and burn; they still use basic implements like
hoes and cutlasses.
Output from agriculture is low
As a result of the features noted above, it is no wonder that
the level of agricultural production is very low. In other words, putting more
lands under cultivation, using improved methods of farming and engaging in
commercial farming would have increased production.
SAMPLE QUESTIONS
1. Describe the features of agriculture in English speaking
West Africa.
2. In which six ways would characterize agricultural activity
in English speaking West Africa?
