(a) Discuss the relationship between rainfall and agricultural practices in the (i) tropical continental region of Nigeria (ii) sub-equatorial region of Nigeria (b) In what five ways does agriculture contribute to the economy of Nigeria?
Explanation
(a) (i) Rainfall has a lot of effects on agricultural activities in the tropical continental region of Nigeria in the following ways: (i) Rainfall is low in this region (ii) As a result of low rainfall, it gives rise to savanna type of vegetation (iii) Agricultural activities in this area include the cultivation of cereal crops like maize, rice, millet sorghum, etc. (iv) It also results in the rearing of cattle, sheep and cat due to abundance of grasses (v) Low rainfall prevents the spread of tsetse flies thereby promoting the livestock activities (ii) on sub-equatorial region of Nigeria (i) Rainfall is very high in the sub-equatorial region of Nigeria (ii) This high rainfall gives rise to rainforest type of vegetation (iii) Agricultural activities in this re igo n involve the growth of tree crops like cocoa, kola, oil palm, rubber, etc (iv) Due to lack of grasses, livestock is not popular. (v) Timber is present hence people involve in lumbering activities. (b) Five contributions of agriculture to the economy of Nigeria include: (i) Provision of food for the people (ii) It provides raw materials for industries (iii) It provides employment to many people (iv) It generates foreign exchange for the country (v) It leads to the development of towns and villages