Physical factors affecting farming

Climate

• Temperature (minimum 6°C for crops to grow) and rainfall (at least 250mm to 500mm) influence the types of crops that can be grown

• The length of the growing season also influences the crops grown. Some rice-growing areas have two or three crops per year.

Relief

• Lowlands, such as flood plains, are good for crops.
• Steep slopes hinder machinery and have thinner soils; lower, more gentle slopes are less prone to soil erosion.
• Tea and coffee crops prefer the well-drained soil on hill slopes.
• Temperature decreases by 6.5°C for every 1000 metres gained in height.
• South-facing slopes receive more sunlight.

Soil

• Fertility is important, poor soil means lower outputs or larger inputs of fertilisers.
• Floodplains are good for rice because of the alluvial soils.
• Good drainage reduces the dangers of waterlogging.

Aspect:

The direction a slope faces. South-facing slopes are best for growing crops