In Africa, agriculture is the single most essential economic activity. For each African country, agriculture also contributes about 30% of the value of exports and an average of 30% to 60% of its gross domestic product. Continue reading to find out why Africa is good for agriculture.
Favorable Climate for Agriculture
You’ll find different climates in Africa, from tropical rainforests to arid deserts. The different climates make the continent suitable for agriculture. Because of this farmers within the continent can plant different crops across the regions.
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For example, farmers within the savanna regions cultivate mainly grains, such as millet and sorghum. On the other hand, farmers in the equatorial regions grow mainly tropical crops like cocoa and coffee.
Additionally, the Guinea coast regions and some parts of East Africa receive regular rainfall. This makes it possible for farmers within the regions to plant crops throughout the year.
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Availability of Water for Irrigation
Each region in Africa has a different rainfall pattern. For example, some parts of East Africa experience an abundance of rainfall while the Sahara regions get little rainfall.
Farmers in regions that receive little need effective irrigation to grow their crops. Irrigation helps ensure that farmers have a reliable water supply for their crops.
In some parts of Africa, farmers have to wait for rainfall before planting. However, irrigation helps farmers to stop depending on seasonal rainfall. It allows them to plant and harvest crops any time of the year. Here are guides on Amazon to learn about how irrigation works.
Abundance of Arable Land
Africa has 65% of the world’s remaining uncultivated arable land, about 300 days of sunshine each year and an abundance of fresh water. This abundance of arable land makes it possible for farmers within the continent to increase agricultural production.
It also helps to attract domestic and foreign investors to invest in agriculture. The reason is that investors see the potential of agribusinesses, large-scale farming, and commercial agriculture.
In general, this abundance of Arable land in Africa contributes to the continent’s economic growth, job creation, and poverty reduction. Check these books on Amazon if you would love to learn about how to invest in agriculture.
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Diverse Agro-Ecological Zones
Africa covers an area of about 7.3 million km2 divided into four main agro-ecological zones – arid, semi-arid, subhumid and humid. Each zone has a different climate, soil type, and landscape. These diverse agro-ecological zones provide African farmers with many conditions that are suitable for different agricultural activities and crops.
Moreover, each zone is perfect for the rearing of different livestock. For example, Grasslands and savannas provide suitable grazing areas for cattle, sheep, and goats.
Biodiversity and Crop Diversity
The African continent is blessed with diverse plant and animal species. Africa’s biodiversity is a big genetic resource for crops and livestock. Some plants grown in Africa usually contain useful traits, such as disease resistance, drought tolerance, and adaptability to specific environments.
Furthermore, different crops offer different nutrients. When farmers in Africa cultivate different crops, including indigenous and traditional varieties, it gives black communities access to plenty of nutrients.
In general, Africa’s land size is bigger than that of the United States, India, China, and most parts of Europe combined. More than half is arable land, perfect for growing crops. The five reasons covered here are the reasons why Africa is good for agriculture. Check these farm guides out on Amazon if you would love to invest in agriculture in Africa.
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