Question

Write a short note on plantation agriculture.

Answer 1

1. Plantation agriculture is a large-scale farming method where a single crop is grown on a large area. This is known as monoculture.

2. It is a modern and capital-intensive form of agriculture, requiring large investments in machinery, transport, and infrastructure.

3. Scientific methods are used to maintain the quality and productivity of the crops.

4. Although it uses machines, it also needs a large number of workers, especially during planting and harvesting. Hence, it is sometimes called labour-intensive agriculture.

5. Plantation crops usually give production for 10 to 15 years once planted.

6. The main crops grown in plantation agriculture are tea, coffee, rubber, cocoa, cashew nuts, and spices.

7. Examples include tea plantations in Assam and rubber plantations in Kerala.

8. Countries where plantation agriculture is common include India, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, and the Caribbean Islands.