Characteristics of plantation farmining/agriculture in Uganda

Characteristics of plantation Agriculture

• Th farmers normallyconcentrate on production of a single crop e.g. sugar cane on the Lugazi sugar cane plantation
• Farms are usually extending to hundres and thousands of hectares e.g. rice plantation at Doho covers 2500 acres of land.
• The crops produced are normally for commercial purposes e.g. most of the tea from Mukono is exported
• Large number of workers are employed e.g. the Lugazi sugar works employes over 7000 workers.
• A lot of capital is required to set up plantation farm.
• Most of the plantations in Uganda are state owned or privately owned by foreigners e.g. Kakira and Lugazi sugar plantation belong to Metha and Madhvan(Asians)
• Plantations are scientifically managed and this involves the use of machines, agrochemicals and fertilizers and research carried out to obtain improved seed/stock at Lugazi and tea plantations
• Most plantations supplement their outputs from the outgrowers or local producers.
• Plantaition farm management provides food, housing, medical facilities and sometimes education to theiremployees e.g. (SCOUL) operates a secondary school in the area.