Plantation farming can best be defined as cultivation of

Analyze the question: The question asks for the best definition of plantation farming.

Explain the concept: Plantation farming is a type of commercial agriculture. It involves growing a single crop (monoculture) on a very large area of land. The crop is usually a perennial tree or cash crop, and it is grown mainly for sale or export. It typically uses a lot of capital, a large labour force, and often some processing facilities on site. Examples in Nigeria and West Africa include oil palm, rubber, cocoa, and tea plantations.

Step-by-step solution: Let's check each option.

• A. Crops using hoes and cutlasses: This describes the tools of peasant or subsistence farming, not plantations. Wrong.
• B. Food crops for personal consumption: This is subsistence farming. Wrong.
• C. Food for use by the family: This is also subsistence farming. Wrong.
• D. Large scale farms of cash crops: This matches the definition: large area, commercial purpose, cash crops such as rubber and oil palm. Correct.
• E. Livestock for commercial purposes: This is commercial livestock farming or ranching, not plantation farming, which deals with crops. Wrong.

Answer: The correct option is D.

Exam tip: Link the words plantation with large scale and cash crops. If an option mentions "family", "personal consumption", or "hoes and cutlasses", think subsistence farming. If it mentions "large scale" and "cash/export crops", think plantation.