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TOPIC 1 – HUMAN ACTIVITIES
TOPIC 2 – AGRICULTURE
TOPIC 3 – WATER MANAGEMENT FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
TOPIC 4 – SUSTAINABLE USE OF FOREST RESOURCES
TOPIC 5 – SUSTAINABLE MINING
TOPIC 6 – TOURISM
TOPIC 7 – MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY
TOPIC 8 – POWER ENERGY AND RESOURCES
TOPIC 9 – TRANSPORT AND COMMUNICATION
AMAZING GEOGRAPHICAL PLACES IN AFRICA – PART
2
4.
The Nile
At
4,132 miles (6,650 kilometers) long, the Nile is the longest river in the world
and travels through many African countries. Rising from several places south of
the equator, it flows north and drains into the Mediterranean Sea. The
Egyptians referred to the river as Ar or Aur from the
Coptic language meaning “black” in reference to the black sediment the river
leaves behind after flooding. In Ancient Egyptian, the black sediment gave
its name to the Egyptian Kingdom, which they called “Kemet” (kem meaning
“black”).
As
a river that flows from south to north, it crosses many climatic zones. The
waters are home to huge numbers of animals, such as crocodiles, hippopotamuses,
and hundreds of bird species. In the south, tropical rainforest gives way to
grassland before encountering the scorching desert of the Sahara.
5.
The great migration, Tanzania
One
of the most sought-after experiences for wildlife and nature enthusiasts, the
Great Migration is the ever-moving circular migration of over a million animals
across the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem. The constant movement of columns of
wildebeest, joined by a host of companions, follow an age-old route in search
of grazing and water. After calving in the southern part of Tanzania’s
Serengeti near the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, the animals journey through
the Serengeti up and around in a clockwise direction towards the Masai Mara in
Kenya, before returning once again near the end of the year. Along the way,
high drama is always present, as thousands of animals are taken by predators
and thousands more are born, replenishing the numbers and sustaining the circle
of life.
6.
Mountain gorillas, Rwanda
A
close encounter with the mountain gorillas of the Rwandan rainforest will stay
with you for a lifetime. Various operators run tours tracking silverbacks and
their troupes in the dense forest.
At
an elevation of more than 6,000 feet, the Nyungwe National Park is an isolated
region, covering more than 386 square miles across southwest Rwanda.
Tourists can meet a vast range of primates and also traverse East Africa’s
highest canopy.
BENEFITS OF PLANTING TREES – PART 2
5. Our health
Trees
help to improve air quality by intercepting and trapping dust and other
pollutants from the air. The shade of trees also provides a useful barrier to
harmful ultra-violet radiation from the sun.
But
it’s not just our physical health that benefits, our mental health does too.
When surrounded by trees or taking part in nature-based activities, stress and
depression levels can be significantly reduced.
6. Soil protection and restoration
Healthy soil is the foundation for sustainable
agriculture and thriving ecosystems. Reforestation helps protect and restore
soil health by preventing erosion and improving its structure. The extensive
root systems of trees bind the soil, reducing the risk of landslides and soil
degradation.
As
trees shed leaves and organic matter, they enrich the soil with nutrients,
promoting fertility and supporting plant growth. Moreover, tree canopies shield
the ground from heavy rainfall and harsh weather.
7. Personal & Spiritual Value
The main reason we like trees is because they are
both beautiful and majestic. No two are alike. Different species display a
seemingly endless variety of shapes, forms, textures and vibrant colours. Even
individual trees vary their appearance throughout the course of the year as the
seasons change. The strength, long lifespan and regal stature of trees give
them a monument-like quality. Most of us react to the presence of trees with a
pleasant, relaxed, comfortable feeling. In fact, many people plant trees as
living memorials of life-changing events.
8. Water
Trees play a key role in capturing rainwater and
reducing the risk of natural disasters like floods and landslides. Their
intricate root systems act like filters, removing pollutants and slowing down
the water’s absorption into the soil. This process prevents harmful waterslide
erosion and reduces the risk of over-saturation and flooding. According to the
UN Food and Agriculture Association, a mature evergreen tree can intercept more
than 15,000 litres of water every year.
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The Meaning of Agriculture
Agriculture is the cultivation of crops and keeping of animals. Agriculture also refers to a science which deals with crop cultivation and livestock keeping. It is the oldest human activity which has been practiced by many societies in the world. Through agriculture, human beings grow crops for the use by households and supply to industries.
Crop cultivation is also called arable farming and the keeping of animals is also called livestock keeping or livestock husbandry. Agriculture is considered as a primary human activity since it involves the production of raw materials that can be used by other industries, In the past, agriculture was considered to involve the cultivation of crops only. In modern times, the meaning of agriculture has expanded to include rearing of animals, poultry keeping, fish
farming and even keeping of nonconventional animals such as crocodiles, camels and ostriches. Basing on the scale of production and technology agriculture is categorized into two types, namely, small scale agriculture and large-scale agriculture
Small Scale Agriculture
Small scale agriculture is the production of crops and livestock on a relatively small piece of land without using advanced technologies (Figure 2.1). Small-scale farming requires small plots of land (not more than four hectares). This involves cultivation of crops and keeping of livestock for both subsistence and commercial purposes. Where the farming is practised for subsistence purpose, most of the produce is reserved for consumption. Where it is practised for commercial purpose, most of the produce is sold for cash to earn income
Characteristics of Small Scale Agriculture at Subsistence Level
Explain the characteristics of small-scale agriculture at subsistence level
The following are characteristics of small-scale agriculture;
1. Most of the labour is provided by family members and it is manual in nature
2. Farmers use very simple tools such as hoes, mattocks, rakes and bush knives to prepare farms. In some cases, ox- ploughs are used
3. The common ways that are used to improve soil fertility includes the use of organic manure, crop rotation and mulching. Mulching involves covering the top soil with crop residues and animal remains to retain moisture. iv. Farmers often plant different types of food crops on the farm. Crops grown include paddy, beans, maize, sunflower, vegetables and other crops
4. There is little or no surplus. In most cases a large part of the production is used to feed the family and the little surplus is sold
5. The land cultivated for subsistence farming is always small and the total yield and the yield per area of land are small. This is because of the fragmentation of arable land into small plots owned by individual farmers
6. Production mainly involves the use of simple methods of cultivation such as shifting cultivation. However, due to the shortage of arable land, farmers are slowly switching to crop rotation as the most common method of cultivation
7. There is little or no use of advanced technology in terms of seeds, fertilizer or advanced machinery and equipment
8. Most farmers practice mixed farming which involves the growing of crops and keeping of animals. Examples of animals include goats, cows, and poultry. These animals provide the manure which is used to improve soil fertility of the farm
9. Usually, poor storage facilities are used to preserve the yield which may be destroyed by pests, insects or un-favourable weather conditions.
The Effects of Rapid Population Growth on Small Scale Agriculture
Explain the effects of rapid population growth on small scale agriculture
Rapid population growth refers to an increase in population size which does not match with the resources available to support the population. The following are effects of rapid population growth on small scale agriculture;
1. Reduction in the average size of farms per adult farmer: Because the land is continuously being divided among farmers, plot sizes continue decreasing generation after generation
2. Exhaustion of soil fertility: The large number of people hinders the practice of crop rotation which could allow natural replenishment of soil fertility. As a result, each plot of land is continuously used an aspect which leads to exhaustion of spoil fertility over time
3. Abundant and cheap labour: Due to rapid population growth, labour is cheaply and readily available
4. Change from subsistence farming to intensive small-holder farming: As the population grows, the farmers are forced to fully utilize the available small portion of arable land through the use of fertilizers and agrochemicals aiming at producing more food to feed the entire population
5. Land conflict: There is the possibility of occurring land conflict because of overpopulation
6. Land scarcity: As populations increases eventually some people will not own any piece of land and the available land becomes more expensive.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Small Scale Agriculture
Describe advantages and disadvantages of small-scale agriculture
The following are advantages of small-scale agriculture;
1. The production costs are cheap because it uses family labour, simple tools, uses manure and seeds that are locally produced and available
2. Acquisition of land is cheap because most farmers inherit the land from their parents free of charge
3. The management of small-scale agriculture is easy and economical because it is mainly managed by family labour
4. It is a source of employment: small scale production is more labour-intensive i.e., there is more use of labour than machinery. Source of revenue: Besides producing for subsistence, farmers sell the surplus and earn money
5. It provides food required to feed the ever-increasing population
6. It encourages the development of permanent settlement among farmers
7. Freedom of work: There is complete freedom of work in terms of time and amount of work to do on daily basis or during particular seasons
8. Yields are safe to the health of consumers because very little or no use of agrochemicals in production
9. There is maximization of land use because farmers can grow and rear the animals on a single plot of land.
Disadvantages of Small-Scale Agriculture
The following are disadvantages of small-scale agriculture;
1. Less use of machines which cause fatigue and leads to low production
2. Low productivity due to use of crude tools hence poor standard of living
3. Difficulty in getting loans this is because most of the farmers do not own collaterals that are needed by banks
4. Drought can lead to production losses and famine because small-scale farming is rain-fed agriculture
5. Over-cultivation of land which can lead to loss of soil fertility, hence, making the land unproductive
Ways of Improving Small Scale Agriculture
Improvement of small-scale agriculture is important in order to ensure supply of food to the population, supply the raw materials needed for industries.
The following are the ways to improve small-scale agriculture;
1. Training farmers about new farming techniques which are affordable to them. The training can be achieved through participation by the government, private companies or nongovernmental organizations
2. Providing farmers with loans to purchase farm implements and other inputs such as improved seeds, fertilizer and agrochemicals. Likewise, the government should provide subsidies to the farmers so that they can get the inputs at reasonable prices
3. Establishing and supporting irrigation schemes to avoid dependence on rainfall. This will in turn enable production throughout the year
4. Educating farmers on proper farming methods by agricultural extension officers and other stakeholders in the agriculture sector. Farmer education may include training on the use of high-yielding seeds and proper use of fertilizes and agrochemicals
5. Forming cooperatives and encouraging farmers to join in managing their cooperatives. Cooperatives assist farmers to obtain loans and marketing of their produce at a better price
6. Building and improving rural access to roads to enable farmers‟ produce, most of which are perishable to reach the market in time. This will boost the marketing of agricultural produce and hence trigger more production
7. Controlling rapid population growth through birth control measures such as family planning education
8. Empowering women through sensitization and awareness rising on more participation in decision about earnings from agriculture produce in which women are traditionally excluded. This will enhance rational utilization of earning from agricultural produce
9. Encouraging people in regions where arable land is very scarce to move to other areas of the country where they can buy or hire land for agricultural production. This practice can help to reduce continuous fragmentation of the land among family members generation after generation
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The Meaning of Agriculture
Agriculture is the cultivation of crops and keeping of animals. Agriculture also refers to a science which deals with crop cultivation and livestock keeping. It is the oldest human activity which has been practiced by many societies in the world. Through agriculture, human beings grow crops for the use by households and supply to industries.
Crop cultivation is also called arable farming and the keeping of animals is also called livestock keeping or livestock husbandry. Agriculture is considered as a primary human activity since it involves the production of raw materials that can be used by other industries, In the past, agriculture was considered to involve the cultivation of crops only. In modern times, the meaning of agriculture has expanded to include rearing of animals, poultry keeping, fish
farming and even keeping of nonconventional animals such as crocodiles, camels and ostriches. Basing on the scale of production and technology agriculture is categorized into two types, namely, small scale agriculture and large-scale agriculture
Small Scale Agriculture
Large Scale Agriculture
Large scale agriculture is the farming system which takes place on a large area for commercial purposes. Large-scale agriculture is also known as large scale farming, industrial farming, commercial agriculture or estate agriculture. Large-scale farms utilize various advanced methods to maximize production and profit
Types of large-scale agriculture
Name types of large-scale agriculture in the world
Based on the mode of production involved, large-scale agriculture is categorized into two types, namely, intensive agriculture and extensive agriculture.
(a) Intensive agriculture
Intensive agriculture is the system of production which is labour and capital-intensive relative to land area. A large labour force is necessary for activities such as the application of fertilizer, insecticides, fungicides, and herbicides to growing crops. Capital is particularly important for the acquisition and maintenance of high-efficiency machinery for planting, cultivating, irrigation schemes and harvesting and storage.
The use of these materials and machines produces significantly high crop yields per unit of land than extensive agriculture (discussed below), which uses little capital or labour. As a result, the practice of intensive agriculture will require less land than a farm practicing extensive agriculture to produce a similar profit. Intensive agriculture often encourages farm operators to work very large tracts in order to keep their capital investments in machinery productive (Figure 2.3)
The increased productivity of intensive agriculture enables the farmer to use a relatively smaller land area that is located close to the market, where land values are high relative to labour and capital. If costs of labour and capital spent for machinery and chemicals, and costs of storage (where desired or needed), and transportation to market are too high, then farmers may find it more profitable to turn to extensive agriculture
However, in practice, many relatively small-scale farmers employ some combination of intensive and extensive agriculture, and many of them operate relatively close to markets. Many large-scale farm operators, especially in advanced nations as Canada and the United States, practice intensive agriculture in areas where land values are relatively low, and at great distances from markets, and farm large tracts of land with high yields. However, in such cases overproduction (beyond market demands) often results in diminished profit as a result of low prices
(b) Extensive agriculture
Extensive agriculture is the system of crop cultivation using small amounts of labour and capital in relation to the area of land. The crop yield in extensive agriculture depends primarily on the natural fertility of the soil, topography, climate, and availability of water. Extensive agriculture is different from intensive agriculture because it employs relatively small amounts of labour and capital. The commercial use of extensive agriculture requires large tracts of land in order to be profitable because extensive agriculture produces a lower yield per unit of land
The demand for more land for extensive agriculture requires carrying it where land values are low in relation to labour and capital. This also implies that extensive agriculture is practiced where population densities are low and usually at some distance from primary markets
In large scale agriculture, various types of crops are grown which include sisal, tea, rubber, coffee, sugarcane, wattles, bananas, pineapples, cocoa, oil palm, coconuts, mangoes, tobacco, cotton, jute, hemp, wheat, rice, and maize. These crops are mostly grown in plantations which are also called estates. Plantation agriculture involves the cultivation of cash crops on a large area of land, approximately 100 hectares. The type of farming practiced is normally monoculture
Major Crops Grown in Each Type of Large Scale Agriculture
List the major crops grown in each type of large-scale agriculture
Large scale agricultural production is done mainly for commercial purposes. However, in intensive farming where the population is high, food crops are grown together with cash crops. Crops which are grown in large scale include tea, coffee, cocoa, bananas, sisal, sugarcane, grain and rubber. Large scale cultivation is very common in Asia, Africa and America.
Characteristics of Large Scale Agriculture
Describe characteristics of large-scale agriculture
The characteristics of large-scale agriculture include the following:
1. It involves the production of cash crops, and only one crop is grown (monoculture).
2. Farms are very large and are mostly found in sparsely-populated areas. Farms are owned by the government, cooperatives, companies or wealthy individuals.
3. It involves the use of skilled and unskilled labourers. Skilled labourers are used to manage crops while unskilled labourers are used during planting, weeding, harvesting and storing the crops.
4. Mechanization and high levels of technology are employed in most farm operations such as land preparation, planting, crop breeding, research, harvesting, and storage.
5. Great use of agrochemicals such as herbicides, insecticides, pesticides and fertilizers.
6. Investment in large-scale farming requires a lot of capital, which is obtained from loaners such banks and cooperatives, or from personal savings.
7. Irrigation system may be applied in case the rainfall is not sufficient to water the crops; hence, production per unit land is high.
Requirements for Growth, Farm Preparation, Planning, Care, Harvesting, Processing, Storage and Transport
Describe the requirements for growth, farm, preparation, planning, care, harvesting, processing, storage and transport.
In most cases, crops grown in large-scale agriculture include the following
COTTON
Cotton is a commercial crop grown; its fibres (lint) are used for making fabrics. Besides being the source of fibres, cotton plant is also the basic raw material for the production of edible oil and cottonseed meal/cake that is used as livestock feed. The requirements for cotton growing are explained below
Conditions for cotton growth
Cotton grows in tropical and sub-tropical warm, humid climate. It requires equitable temperature distribution and bright sunshine. The annual temperature requirement for cotton is 20°-28°C. Annual rainfall of 500-1000mm is required for cotton cultivation unless it is grown under irrigation. The crop requires at least 200 frost-free days. Heavy rains and humid weather during later stages of cotton cultivation may spoil the fibres, lower its ginning properties or promote attack of insects, pests, and diseases. Dry weather is required at harvesting because rain will discolour the fibres and reduce its quality
Cotton needs soil with sufficient water-holding capacity and aeration and good drainage because it cannot withstand excessive moisture and waterlogging. The major groups of soils for cotton cultivation are the alluvial soils, black soils, and red sandy loam soils
Cotton cultivation is very labor-intensive, therefore, a large number of cheap labour is required. Labour is required for land cultivation, planting, care for the crop, harvesting, sorting and processing. On the other hand, mechanized cotton cultivation requires huge capital for machinery, pesticides and fertilizers
Land preparation
Before planting, the soil is ploughed and harrowed to make the soil suitable for sowing the seeds. The land is ploughed using a tractor, harrows, ox plough, or manually by using hoes. Ploughing is preferably done during the dry season to ensure many weeds are destroyed. After the land has been ploughed in the dry season, it awaits planting of the seeds during the rainy season
Planting and caring for the cotton crop.
Cotton is generally propagated by seeds, but vegetative propagated plants give high yield and quality. Budding, grafting and layering have also been found successful. Unless the crop is grown under irrigation, planting is done during the rainy season. This ensures maximum germination of seeds. A spacing of 75-90 cm between the rows is generally recommended for an irrigated crop. For dry-land cotton, a spacing of 45-60 cm between rows is adopted. Cotton should be planted at a depth of not more than 2 cm
Fertilizer application differs from soil to soil depending on the available nutrients in the soil. The key nutrients needed for cotton production are nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K). Correct and timely application of fertilizers with these nutrients will improve crop quality and harvest. Deficiencies are rare in other essential nutrients such as copper, boron, calcium, magnesium, Sulphur, manganese, iron, zinc, cobalt and molybdenum
Weeding begins 30-40 days after sowing. Thinning of cotton follows after seed germination is a special feature of the irrigated crop. Weeds can be controlled manually through weeding using hoes or herbicides
In Tanzania, cotton aphids and cotton jassids are controlled by spraying Malathion 0.08%. Cotton leaf roller, spotted bollworm, and pink bollworm are controlled by dusting the crop with 10% carbonyl whereas red cotton bug and dusky cotton bug are controlled by dusting with 5% BHC
Harvesting
Cotton is harvested in three or more pickings at suitable intervals. The season of harvesting varies with the date of sowing and the cotton variety. Well dried bolls are picked either manually or by using harvesters
Processing
In Tanzania, after picking, the cotton is sorted by hand and then graded into the best grade, uncontaminated and cotton leftovers. The sorted cotton is sold to ginneries for ginning (separation of lint from the seed). The first step in the ginning process is when the cotton is vacuumed into tubes that carry it to a dryer to reduce moisture and improve the fibres quality. Then it runs through cleaning equipment to remove leafy trash, sticks and other foreign matter
Transportation and storage
Ultimately, the lint is compressed into bales and transported by trucks, lorries, or any available means of transport, to textile industries, ready for making clothes and other items.
TEA
Tea, whose botanical name is Camellia sinensis, is an evergreen shrub native to Asia. After water, it is the most widely consumed drink in the world. Tea is believed to have originated in China, where it was used as a medicinal drink. It was then popularized as a recreational drink, and tea drinking spread to other East Asian countries. From there, it spread to other parts of the world, including East Africa. Tea was introduced in East Africa in 1900 at Entebbe in Uganda. It was also introduced in Tanzania and in Kenya at Limuru in 1903
Suitable conditions required for the growth of tea
The tea plant is an evergreen tree which grows in tropical or sub-tropical regions. Tea requires a moderately hot and humid climate. Climate influences yield, crop distribution and quality. Temperature affects tea yield by influencing the rate of photosynthesis and controlling growth and dormancy. Tea needs mean annual rainfall ranging between 1200 mm and 3000 mm, and a temperature of between 10°C and 30°C. A temperature of 21°C during the growing season of not less than eight months is ideal
Tea is grown in a variety of soils. It grows well on highlands, and well-drained soils having good depth and more than 2% organic matter. The best soil, however, is light, friable loam soil which permits a free percolation of water, for tea is highly intolerant to stagnant water. In general, the most suitable soils are slightly acidic (pH= 4.5-5.5) soils without calcium
Tea grows well at an altitude ranging between 1500 and 2200 m above sea level. Almost all the commercially managed tea plantations are located in the highlands and on hilly slopes where the natural drainage is good. However, higher altitudes are not suitable because of frequent frost. Tea cannot tolerate stagnant water and waterlogged lowlands are thus least suited to tea cultivation. Shallow and compacted sub-soils limit root growth. Tea plants grown on such soils are liable to suffer from drought during the dry period and waterlogging during the rainy months
Land preparation for Tea
The field for planting tea is prepared just like it is done for other crops. It is prepared when the cuttings are almost ready for transplanting. If the field is new, the land is cleared of bush and then ploughed. Deep digging is important to turn the soil over. This helps to kill the weeds. Generally, all the bad weeds such as striga and couch grass must be removed from the field; otherwise, they will compete with crop plants for nutrients and hence lower the yields. The holes for planting
cuttings should have a circumference of 25 cm and 40 cm deep. Holes should be 70 cm or 90 cm apart. The space between rows should be about 1.5 m
Planting and caring for the tea crop
Because seedlings take long time in the nursery before they can be planted, tea is usually propagated from cuttings. Cuttings are obtained from mature trees or clones (cloning is one of the various technologies used in plant breeding). To control the weeds, early and occasional weeding is of utmost importance
A high level of humidity, lots of sunshine and plenty of rain make the ideal planting conditions. The presence of iron in sub-soil is desirable. On the sloping land, which is most suitable for tea, soil erosion is often a problem. This is combated by planting tea bushes in lines along the contours
Tea shrubs grow better when shielded from strong sunlight or violent winds. It is therefore usual in plantations to plant some large trees in between the shrubs to give shade not only to tea plants but also to workers
Tea should be fertilized by fertilizer with a mixture supplying 60 kg N, 30 kg P2O5 and 30kg K20 per hectare in one or two doses after pruning. Nitrogenous fertilizer is very essential for the promotion of leaf growth. Besides this application, plants benefit from compost derived from leaf fall of leguminous shade trees as green manures
Harvesting of Tea
In the wild, the tea plant can reach 10 – 15 metres tall, but to make it easier to harvest its leaves, it is pruned to a height of about 1.10 metres from the ground. It has a lifespan of around 40 years. The tea leaves are plucked at an interval of 5 to 7 days during the rainy season and 10 days during the dry season
Tea cultivation and processing are labor-intensive tasks. The preparation of weeding, manuring, pruning and picking goes on all the year round on tea estates. Tea picking is a tedious job; it requires both skills and patience. Tea takes around 3 years before it is ready for the first harvest
Tea bush is ready for harvesting after 4 to 5 years of planting and having a height of 45-60 cm. Plucking is usually restricted to 2 leaves and a bud. This is called fine and light plucking. Coarse or hard plucking includes extra one or two leaves
Picking is done entirely by hand, and pickers are paid by piece rate, i.e., by the amount of tea picked during the day. Workers are also required in the weigh stations where leaves are sorted and in tea processing plants where the leaves are dried, rolled, fermented, sifted, graded and packed
Processing.
Tea processing is the method in which the leaves from the tea plant ‘Camellia sinensis’ are transformed into the dried leaves for brewing tea. For manufacturing of black tea, the plucked leaves are dried for 18 – 24 hours in ventilated indoor racks, rolled for half an hour mechanically to break up cells, and then fermented or oxidized again for 8 hours at 27°C to 105°C. They are then passed through sieves of different meshes, thus sorting out grades
Transportation and storage.
After processing, tea is stored in warehouses and large stores, awaiting sale to final consumers. Raw tea is transported to factories via roads and railways. The finished products are transported to consumers via roads, railways or airways
COFFEE
Coffee has a long and varied history and historians are not exactly sure where coffee began before being spread across all parts of the world. But there is strong evidence to suggest that coffee originated in the mountainous region of Abyssinia, or current day Ethiopia, some over 2,000 years ago.
Of the many known species of coffee, there are four common coffee species: Arabica, Liberica, Excelsa and Robusta. But of these common species of coffee, only two are of economic importance, that is, Arabica and Robusta. Arabica is considered to be of the best quality because of its excellent flavour and aroma. Globally, Arabica accounts for roughly 75% of total world production, while Robusta accounts for the remaining 25%
Coffee is a tropical plant which is also grown in a semi-tropical climate. The majority of the coffee cultivated worldwide is concentrated within 10° north and south of the Equator in an area known as the ‘Coffee Belt’ (Figure 2.6)
Suitable conditions for coffee growth
Coffee requires deep, friable and loamy soil. Heavy clay soil is not conducive because too much water can affect coffee growth. The soil should have a good water-holding capacity and one that is well aerated. The right pH (acidity) is neutral (7.00) to slightly acidic (between 5.5 and 6.0). In general, coffee needs a relative humidity of 70 to 85% and a temperature of 13°-26°C, as well as an annual rainfall of 1500 to 3000 mm distributed evenly throughout the year
Arabica can be planted 900 -1800 metres above the sea level while Robusta, Liberica and Excelsa can be planted from sea level up to 900 metres above the sea level. Arabica, being tropical in nature, requires that the plant receives 1000 – 2000 mm of rainfall per year and grows at an ambient temperature of 15° – 24°C, Robusta, on the other hand, requires slightly more rainfall (2200 – 3000 mm/year) and can grow up between 4.5 – 6.5 m in height
Direct sunlight is harmful to coffee plants; therefore, these are planted under the shade of taller trees. Trees serve as windbreaks. In Tanzania, coffee is often intercropped with the banana to provide shade and break the winds. In Brazil, leguminous plants are used which not only provide shade but also enrich the soil with nitrogen
Generally, coffee is grown on slopes. The suitability of slopes for coffee is because these are well drained and also cooler. Water stagnation is very harmful to coffee plants; therefore, hill slopes are suitable for the crop. As far as coffee production is concerned, there is much work to be done all year round such as field preparation, transplanting, and weeding, pruning, harvesting and disease control
Land preparation for coffee
The field on which to plant coffee should be prepared six months in advance. During soil preparation for coffee planting, heavy vegetation and large rocks are removed. Where the land is not too rocky, clearing involves the removal of rocks, debris, and vegetation. Holes for planting coffee seedlings, which are dug at least three months in advance, should measure at least 0.6 × 0.6 × 0.6 m. Coffee is planted in rows 2 m apart with plants 1.5 m apart within the rows.
Planting and caring for the coffee crop
Coffee seeds are generally planted in large beds in shaded nurseries 2 – 3 cm deep. The seedlings are watered frequently and shaded from bright sunlight until