Question

Difficulty: MediumAgricultural Systems and Practices in Africa

Match each African agricultural system or farming practice listed on the left with its defining environmental adaptation or operational characteristic on the right.

  • Matengo pit systemConstruction of grid-like earthen pits on steep highlands to prevent soil erosion and retain moisture
  • Kano Closed-Settlement Zone practiceContinuous intensive crop cultivation sustained by animal manure and urban organic waste without fallowing
  • Gezira Scheme operationLarge-scale gravity-fed canal irrigation diverting river waters for commercial cash crop production
  • Transhumance pastoralismSeasonal migration of herds between ecologically distinct grazing zones driven by rainfall distribution

Answer

The Matengo pit system matches the construction of grid-like earthen pits on steep highlands; the Kano Closed-Settlement Zone practice matches continuous intensive crop cultivation sustained by animal manure and organic waste; the Gezira Scheme operation matches large-scale gravity-fed canal irrigation diverting river waters; and Transhumance pastoralism matches seasonal migration of herds between ecologically distinct grazing zones.
Each agricultural system is accurately paired with its primary operational method: the Matengo system uses hillside soil pits for erosion control; the Kano Closed-Settlement Zone relies on intensive manuring for continuous land use; the Gezira Scheme utilizes gravity-fed river canal networks; and transhumance relies on seasonal pastoral mobility.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the primary soil conservation mechanism of the Matengo pit system.
Recognize that the Matengo (Ngoro) system in Tanzania digs pits on steep hillsides to prevent erosion and trap moisture.
This is a classic indigenous highland soil conservation practice in East Africa.
2
Analyze the land-use system of the Kano Closed-Settlement Zone.
Associate high population density around Kano with continuous intensive cropping supported by organic manuring rather than land fallowing.
High population pressure forces farmers to eliminate fallow periods and continuously replenish soil nutrients organically.
3
Evaluate the water delivery method of the Gezira Scheme in Sudan.
Link Gezira to gravity-driven river irrigation supplying commercial cotton farms from the Blue Nile.
Gezira is one of the largest irrigation enterprises globally, utilizing natural terrain slopes for water distribution.
4
Determine the operational pattern of pastoral transhumance.
Match transhumance with cyclic seasonal livestock migrations across ecological belts based on rainfall variations.
Pastoralists move herds along established seasonal routes to optimize water and pasture access.

Key Concept

Classification and environmental characteristics of traditional and modern African agricultural systems
Estimated Time:1m 30s
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