Plantation crop production is the term used to describe cultivation of permanent crops most especially trees crop in large hierarchies.
It is a monocropping type of crop production.
FEATURES OF PLANTATION
Only permanent crops are involve though some biennial crops can also be added examples like pineapple, banana, it is monocropping system whereby only one type of crop is grown.
Crop stay on soil for years producing economical yield, Routine practices like weeding, firetracing, pruning are carried out.
Products are usually of high economic value as they are involved in international trade as export crops.
Gestation period is long before economic harvest resume e.g about 5years and above.
Plantation crop production is very popular cause of their occurring benefits including source of food materials e.g fruit trees.
However, in spite of all this benefits tree crops or plantation agriculture is faced with a lot of difficulties which makes development of this sector of agriculture slow if not stagnant.
This difficulties among others include:
There is problem of land tenure where land owners are not willing to lease it whether by leading or hire to interested would be farmers.
Problem of inadequate incentive to farmers does
not endear plantation cropping to farmers. Incentives like extension services improve varieties, long term loan are not available and where they are available they are inadequate.
Problems of diseases and pests which hinder the performance of tree crops.
Inadequate availability, high cost and unsuitability of the available chemicals.
Inadequate technology for the processing of farm produce where such technologies are available they are beyond the reach of farmers.
Also illiteracy makes adoption of such technologies to be very low.
There is problem of inadequate facilities.
There is problem of middlemen in marketing.
The above listed problems could be solved;
By encouraging adult education by stimulating research/extension relationship in order to get innovations to farmers on their plot in clear and understandable language.
By enforcing legislation to outlaw bushburning.
Provision/establishment of small scale or cottage industries to boost market for farm produce as raw materials.
Provision of adequate technology to handle harvesting storage and even processing of the produce at an affordable price to farmers e.g kernel breakers, technology for fermentation oil pressure e.t.c
Government can go into this venture through various ministries of agriculture, Making improve varieties of crops which will resist pest and diseases, produce high quality produce and improve yield available to farmers.
Soft loans should be provided for farmers to go into this type of crop production.
Schools can be encouraged to go into tree crop production where land is available and suitable for such, This is more pertinent to universities, colleges of agriculture and other tertiary institutions.
Functional produce board should be put in place to frustrate the activities of the middlemen who swindle farmers during sales of their produce, Such board will also be required to put in place adequate storage facilities to prevent wastages and loss of quality.