10 Questions
What is the primary purpose of commercial pastoral farming?
To rear animals for milk or meat
What is the significance of agriculture in the Caribbean economy?
It employs a large number of people and helps economies be more self-reliant
Which of the following physical factors affects the type of crops that can be grown?
Climate
What is the likely outcome of producing crops that are in high demand?
A glut in the market
What is the significance of soil type in agriculture?
It determines the type of crops that can be grown
What may prevent farmers from producing perishable items?
Distance from the market
Which of the following factors does not affect what can be grown on a farm?
Location of the farm
What is a benefit of sugar cane cultivation?
It reduces soil erosion
What is a problem facing sugar cane cultivation?
Competition from artificial sweeteners
What is a factor that affects the type of agriculture a farmer practices?
Land tenure
Study Notes
Commercial Pastoral Farming
- Involves rearing animals for milk (dairy farming) or for meat and hides (ranching)
Importance of Agriculture in the Caribbean
- Employs a large number of people
- Second largest earner of foreign exchange in many Caribbean countries, after tourism
- Helps economies to be more self-reliant by providing a local source of food
- Reduces soil erosion due to crop roots binding the soil
- Plays a significant role in cultural traditions and special celebrations, such as the Crop-over festival in Barbados
Factors Influencing Land-use/Agriculture
Physical Factors
- Climate: affects crop growth, e.g. tropical regions suitable for crops needing year-round sunshine and high temperatures
- Soils: chemical composition, depth, and drainage affect crop suitability, e.g. sugar cane needs well-drained loam soil
- Relief: affects machinery use and erosion rate, e.g. steep land suitable for fruit trees and animal rearing
Economic Factors
- Market: demand and location influence crop production, e.g. high demand leads to increased production
- Capital: necessary for purchasing seeds, animals, equipment, and fertilizers, e.g. lack of capital limits crop production
Human Factors
- Land Tenure: ownership or rental of land affects long-term investments, e.g. dairy farming or sugar cane cultivation
- Labour: availability of workers affects crop production, e.g. rice cultivation requires a large labour force
- Government Incentives: offers such as loans, subsidies, and duty-free concessions influence agricultural practices
- Inheritance Practices: fragmented farms due to inheritance affect cultivation and production levels
Market
- EU under the LOMÉ agreement
- Local market
Benefits
- Employment opportunities
- Foreign exchange earnings
- Soil erosion reduction due to crop roots
- Used in creation of other products, e.g. rum
Problems
- Reduction in land used for agriculture
- Competition from artificial sweeteners and other sugar sources
- Unprofitability of growing sugar cane
- Climatic hazards, e.g. drought and flood
- Fires
This quiz covers the aspects of commercial pastoral farming, its importance in the Caribbean, and its economic contributions.
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