one reason for low agrictural productivity in most west African countries is that?

Step 1: Analyze the question The question asks for a reason why agricultural productivity is low in most West African countries. Productivity is output per unit of input (per farmer or per hectare), so we need a real cause that limits output.

Step 2: Concept Common causes of low agricultural productivity in West Africa include:

• Small, fragmented land holdings
• Use of crude tools and traditional methods
• Poor access to credit and finance
• Inadequate storage, transport and irrigation
• Pests, diseases and an over-reliance on rainfall

Step 3: Evaluate each option

• A. Farmers are not capable of producing cash crops. False. West Africa produces cocoa, palm oil, groundnut, cotton and rubber, which are all cash crops.
• B. It does not provide income to farmers with large families. This is not a cause of low productivity. It is also not true, because farming does provide income.
• C. Farmers find it difficult getting help from financial institutions. True. Most farmers are small-scale and lack collateral and land titles, and banks see farming as risky. Without credit they cannot buy fertilizers, improved seeds, machinery or irrigation, so output stays low.
• D. It is not the only source of raw materials for agro-based industries. This has nothing to do with productivity. It is only a statement about where industries get their raw materials.

Step 4: Answer The correct answer is C.

Tip: In "causes of low productivity" questions, look for options about capital, credit, technology, land or infrastructure. Options that are absolute ("not capable") or unrelated to output are usually wrong.