11 Production, location and change
Now test yourself 1 2 3 4 5
Tested
What are the characteristics of agro-industrialisation? Distinguish between intensive and extensive farming. Distinguish between wet rice and dry rice. What are the two ways in which agricultural production can be increased? What have been the main problems of the Green Revolution?
Answers on p.220
11.2 The management of agricultural change: Jamaica The importance of agriculture Agriculture in Jamaica is dominated by the production of traditional crops such as sugar, bananas and coffee. In addition, a number of non-traditional crops including sweet potatoes, yams and hot peppers are cultivated. Over the past two decades the major export earner, sugar, has experienced a considerable decline. Both sugar and bananas in particular have had to contend with price and market insecurity as a result of preference erosion in the EU market. Agriculture contributes 7% to Jamaica’s GDP and employs about 20% of the workforce.
Recent changes in Jamaican farming
Significant areas of marginal land were abandoned in recent years because of: l the difficulties of making a living on marginal land l the removal of preferential treatment for bananas on the European market l crop disease Climatic hazards often impact substantially on farming in Jamaica – hurricanes in particular, but also drought. Jamaica is also having to address the issue of land degradation.
Revised Traditional crops are major crops that have been cultivated over a long period of time. Non-traditional crops are newer crops cultivated on a reasonably large scale, which mark the diversification of agricultural production. Marginal land is land of poor quality because of lack of nutrients, soil erosion, distance from markets and other human and physical factors. Preferential treatment refers to former colonies of European Union countries being given preferential access to EU markets for a certain time period so their economies could adjust to EU trade policies.
Policy responses
In response the Jamaican government announced a new policy for a sustainable local sugar industry. Commodity-specific policies for bananas and cocoa were also introduced. Jamaica has also produced a New Agricultural Development Plan that aims to transform the farming sector by 2020. The main objectives of the plan are to: l halt the decline of the agricultural sector l restore productivity to agricultural resources l ensure that farming communities provide meaningful livelihoods and living environments for those who depend on the agricultural sector As exports of some traditional farm products have declined the Jamaican government has tried to encourage agricultural diversification. The exploitation of niche markets has been a major aspect of the modernisation of Jamaican agriculture. The government has recognised the contribution ICT can make to enhancing the sector’s efficiency and productivity. The range of policies introduced by the government in recent years has undoubtedly helped to bring about beneficial changes in Jamaican agriculture.
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Typical mistake Students can sometimes struggle with the concept of marginal land. Land can be classed as marginal for a number of reasons, but the essence of the concept is that the returns from farming such land are very limited (marginal) compared with better-quality farmland elsewhere.
Agricultural diversification is the process by which countries and individual farms expand the range of their activities. A niche market is a subset of a market on which a specific product is focused.
Cambridge International AS and A Level Geography Revision Guide
