Geography | Form 5G

AGRICULTURE
Aimee Soogrim
Ms. Maloney
 What is Agriculture?

Agriculture is the science or art of cultivating land, growing

crops, feeding, breeding and raising livestock for the
purposes of human consumption or use in industries.
 FACTORS AFFECTING ACRICTURE

There are a multitude of factors influencing agricultural

locotion.
 HISTORICAL FACTOR

Historically the native persons of the Caribbean began the process of agriculture. Farming and rearing of
animals was primarily sourced for subsistence.

During the 17th and 18th century, with the colonization of the natives and the islands from Europeans,
farming and agriculture became commercialized. Exporting of foods became more popular and crops
were now grown for export. Crops commonly grown for export were, sugar-cane, coffee, and cocoa.
This mean that as economic and social environments were different in the past it still impacts how the
agriculture industries work today.
 PHYSICAL FACTORS

Physical factors influencing agriculture are topography/relief, soil and climate.

Topographical/relief- this deals with land cultivation difficulties, soil erosion, poor transport network, and
facilities

Climate- affects things such as precipitation and temperature affect agriculture as described above

Soil- soil is an important part in plant growth, crops need soil with proper drainage. Soils with poor texture would
have less likelihood for plants to grow.
 ECONOMICAL

The economic factors affecting agriculture include Demand, The level wages and The role of the Government.
Demand- supply and demand is what drives the commercialization of the agriculture sector, the continues demand of a product
ensures the supply and therefore ensures a profit is being made by the agricultural sector.
The level of Wages- building on demand, as demand increases so does the need for labor, many companies and farmers have
invested in labor saving machinery to cut the cost of wages and save time as machinery works faster.
The role of the Government- the government is crucial, in countries around the world the governemnt has offered and pen up the
gates to machinery to farmers as well as they have impacted and set the prices of many products being sold by the agricultural
sector.
 SUGARCANE CULTIVATION

GUYANA

Guyana continues to be the largest producer of sugar cane in Caribbean.

 LAND

Sugar cane is grown around the country of Guyana but specifically around the coast,near to the
coast soil is fertile and deep which is perfect for growing this crop. Sugar cane is usually all grown
and planted by hand canals are used for irrigation while growing and they are planted in beds.
Temperatures are usually high all year and the areas receive approximately 2000mm of rain a year.
Sugar cane requires high temperatures and about 1500mm of rain annually to grow. In Guyana the
sugar cane is grown during wetter periods and harvested at the drier periods.
 CAPITAl

In Guyana, there are eight factories that are operated by the government known as Guysuco.
They grown sugar on 470 square Kilometers of land, independent farmers also grow their own
sugar cane. Guyana alone produced over 218000 tones of sugar in 2013 alone. sugar cane alone
produces 31% of exports and 18% of economic output. Guyana is a large market as a producer
to the United States, Suriname, Antigua, and other caricom countries but most importantly the
European nations.
 LABOUR

Sugar Cane is grown, harvested, and planted all by hand. This means that a large work supply is
needed and results in jobs. Most of Guyana's population lives near the coast which provides
easy access to sugar cane fields and an adequate supply of a work force. Guyana's main road
runs through the coast which provides an easily accessible path to estates. the sugar cane
industry alone employs 11% of Guyana's work force.
 TECHNOLOGY

Using machinery or technology to aid in sugar cane cultivation is difficult

as the way cane is planted makes it difficult for machinery operate. Also, in
some areas soil that the cane is planted in is too soft for heavy equipment.
Very few places utilize heavy machinery in cultivating sugar cane.
 COMMERCIALIZED
FARMINNG

Agriculture is a key source of of many Caribbean countries' economy and accounts for 16% of
employments in the region overall.
Guyana- Guyana's commercialized sugar farming accounts for approximately 4% of the Gross Domestic
Product (GDP) and 18% of agricultural production of the country and 30% of Guyana's work force.

St. Vincent and the Grenadines- The economy of St Vincent and the Grenadines is based largely on
agriculture and farming, which contributed 7% of GDP and 26% of the labour force. focusing on
bananas, root crops, coconuts and cattle.