This question was not popular among the candidates. The majority of those
candidates that answered the question performed poorly. The expected answers
included:
(a) Features of plantation agriculture in East Africa
Large-scale in nature extends over several hectares of land;
large number of paid workers are employed - skilled and un-skilled;
(b) high capital involvement;
use of pesticides and herbicides;
concentration on the production of single crops - monocropping;
mostly owned by foreign companies and lor individuals;
methods of operation are modern and efficient;
export oriented;
processing factories located within plantations.
Advantages of Plantation Agriculture in East Africa
source of innovations to farmers;
ensures the continuous production of crops e.g. tea, coffee;
provision of employment - skilled and unskilled;
foreign exchange earning;
efficiency is promoted by the use of machines;
production of raw material for industries; .
revenue to governments.
(c)Limitations of Plantation Agriculture in East Africa
pests and diseases;
inadequate storage facilities;
inadequate capital;
poor management;
fragmented land tenure system;
fluctuation in world prices;
variations in the weather.
