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Section
C, question 7(b)(ii)
Marjorie Henry, Contributor
Last
week I started to discuss question
seven from the June 2009 exam paper.
So far, I have looked at part (a)
and part (b)(i). I continue today
with part (b)(ii). Here, you are to
state FOUR significant characteristics
of large scale commercial arable farming
in the Caribbean. Before I offer a
response, however, let me remind you
that commercial arable farming is
referring to the large-scale production
of crops for sale and profit. Be careful
that you do not confuse it with the
other types of farming.
Here
are some characteristics of commercial
arable farming:
- It
is technology dependent
- It
is capital intensive
- There
is the widespread use of mechanised
oil-driven tractors and other farm
equipment
- There
is tendency to practise monoculture
- the growing of one crop. This
practice, however, is changing
- The
crop grown is mainly for export
- Large
acreage - over 40 hectares
Let
me restate part (c) of the question:-
Account
for the similarities AND differences
between large scale commercial arable
farming in the Caribbean and wheat
farming in the Canadian Prairies using
the following headings:
Since
the syllabus requires you to locate
at least ONE Caribbean country where
commercial arable farming is important,
it would be advisable for you to give
a specific example of a territory
when referring to the Caribbean.
Growing
season
Canadian
Prairies: The region
is characterised by very cold winters
and long, hot summers. The long, hot
summer days (daily average more than
20ºC) allow the crops to ripen.
Although the region is relatively
dry - it only receives between 250mm
and 500mm of rain - much of the rain
falls in early summer when the crops
need it most. Traditionally, wheat
requires 375mm of rain and 120 days
of frost-free sunshine in order to
mature.
Caribbean:
In reference to sugar cane cultivation
in Jamaica, the crop takes from 10
to 12 months to reach maturity. The
crop needs warm temperature, about
27ºC. Ample sunshine is necessary
to promote proper growth of the plant.
Rainfall should average 1,500mm. per
annum. The canes are grown by cuttings
and rations, and replanted after a
period averaging six years. New plants
grow for the next year's crop from
the ratoon or stubs.
Marketing
Please
bear in mind that market refers to
the places where the farm produce
are sold or where there is a demand
for the farm produce. The means of
getting the farm produce to the markets,
that is, transport, can also be included
in your account.
Canadian
Prairies: Canada supplies
almost 20 per cent of the world's
wheat exports. Half goes to Asia,
20 per cent to Central and South America
and 0.3 per cent to CARICOM. Adequate
transport network is provided by the
Canadian Pacific and Canadian National
Railways. Trucks and wagons are also
widely used. The wheat is taken from
distributing centres to various wheat
exporting ports, for example, Vancouver
along the Pacific coast.
Caribbean:
Jamaica exports sugar to Europe,
mainly United Kingdom, and the USA.
The sugar is transported from the
factory to the ports for export by
trailers, and then shipped to the
market sources.
Continue
to read on the topics included in
this question so you can be more informed
on them.
References
-
Jamaica A Junior Geography
by Marjorie Allen-Vassell et al
- CSEC
New Integrated Geography
by Sheldon G. Bleasdell et al
- Geography
for CSEC
by Nelson Thornes
- New
Caribbean Geography ...
by Vohn A. M. Rahil
- The
Caribbean Environment for CXC Geography
by Mark Wilson
Marjorie
Henry is an independent contributor.
Send questions and comments to kerry-ann.hepburn@gleanerjm.com
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