Importance Of Fruit Farming, Areas, Types, Problems

Hi, welcome to this blog on the topic: Fruit Farming, Importance of fruit farming.

Table Of Contents

1. Definition of fruit Farming
2. Major areas of fruit farming
3. Factors favourable to fruit farming in the Mediterranean region.
4. Types of fruits produced In the Mediterranean region.
5. Contribution or importance of fruit farming.
6. Problems of fruit farming in the Mediterranean region.
7. Revision Questions.

See Also

• The Importance of Fruit and Nut Crops, Uses and Examples

Definition of Fruit Farming

Fruit farming is defined as the type of farming in which farmers cultivate mainly fruit crops either for domestic, industrial or commercial purposes. It also regarded as orchard farming.

Major Areas of Fruit Farming

(A) In North-West Africa: The areas include Tunisia, Algeria, Lybia and Morocco.

(B) In South Africa: The areas are mainly around Cape Town, Natal and orange Free State.

Factors favorable to Fruit Farming

• Temperature of about 25°c to 27°c.
• Winter rainfall of 25 to 75 cm for planting and growth.
• Summer sunshine for ripening and harvesting.
• Rich soil (volcanic in some places).
• Shelter valley for cultivation.
• Availability of rivers for irrigation.
• Good transport network.
• High demand, internal and external.
• Introduction of refrigerated vessels for fruit exportation.
• Government support/encouragement in cash and kind.
• Availability of capital.
• Availability of technical know-how.
• The use of advance methods of cultivation, e.g, terracing.
• Undulating relief with good drainage.

Types of Fruit Produced

(A) In South Africa: The popular fruit grown or produce include:

• Vine
• Grapes
• Apple
• Pears
• Oranges
• Pineapple
• Peaches
• Apricots

(B) In North-West Africa: Important fruits produced include:

• Oranges
• Apricots
• Figs
• Grapes
• Olive
• Lemon
• Limes
• Tangerines

Contributions or Importance of Fruit Farming

Fruit farming is very important to both South African and North-west Africa countries in the following ways:

• Foreign exchange earnings.
• Provide employment.
• For industrial raw materials.
• Infrastructural development.
• Growth of towns.
• Provide food for man.
• Income to vineyard owners.
• Revenue to government
• Development of allied Industries, e.g, cork production.
• Improved health through dietary enrichment, e.g, vitamins.
• Viticulture, which is the cultivation of grape fruit, promotes specialisation by some people

Problems of Fruit Farming

• Hilly topography limits extension of farm lands.
• Soil erosion, particularly along hillsides.
• Poor soil in places.
• Drought and sometimes Frost.
• Inadequate storage facilities.
• Pests.
• Diseases.
• Improper processing and storage.
• Over-production/glut.
• Inadequate trained personnel.

Revision Questions

1. What is fruit farming?
2. Discuss four importance of fruit farming in South Africa
3. Discuss four problems of fruit farming.
4. Discuss fruit farming under the following headings; (a) areas (b) factors (d) types of fruits grown.
5. Explain three conditions that favor fruit farming in the Mediterranean region of Africa.