Agriculture in Germany has developed into a modern and a efficient industry highly mechanized and productive. But before the Second World War, agriculture was mainly of the peasant farming type with small and medium-sized holdings predominating. There was a large number of small farms where the owners have a subsidiary occupation. Many of the farms were too small to provide adequate income. Besides there was very extensive splitting-up of village lands and they cramped nature of the buildings on the farms, which made commercial and increased mechanization very difficult.

The Changes in German Agriculture

As a result of the second the world war, German economy was destroyed and therefore there was need to plan for development of agriculture to cater for the growing populate 2nd produce enough food.

It was on this basis that the agricultural Act (law) of 1955 was passed. This sought to provide means by which German agriculture could be made more modernized, made more efficient and competitive.

Up to this time, farming was backward and lacking capital for investment, in new machinery, seed and livestock.

On top of this was the fact that there were too many small farms with scattered parcels of sand, making it practically impossible to use farm machinery efficiently.

Farm income was also low compared to the jobs available in the industrial cities with the result that there was a mass exodus from the land into the cities. It was to overcome some of these problems that the Germany government produced the Green Plan that was the direct out come of the 1955 Act.

The Green Plan

This was established to improve the agricultural production in Germany and increase the competitiveness of Germany agriculture as it was joining the then European Economic Community-Common Market. Its method was to provide funds in order to enable farms to be enlarged.

To compensate farmers who were willing to give up their land in order to reduce fragmentation.

To resettle farmers where their land was needed to make a bigger farming unit.

To give assistance to those districts which were by nature at a disadvantage, mainly by tax concessions on fertilizers and rates.                         

To assist in the improvement of farm management.

Two of the outstanding measures which had a direct and early effect on the improvement of the farming populations' wages were the subsidy payment on milk -that was meant to improve its quality.

Up to 1966 the Germany government had provided a lot of money for these changes.

  Map of German showing farming types

  Types of Agriculture in Germany

Arable farming (crop cultivation):  The crops grown include Cereals (wheat, barley and oats), Sugar beat, Tobacco, Potatoes, Vines and Fruits, Fodders and others. This is mainly done in the Rhine rift valley and some parts of the highlands including the Northern plain.

Bavarian Hay Farming
Agriculture plays only a minor role in the German economy, and most farms in the country are small in size. Shown here, hay is harvested on a farm in Bavaria in southeastern Germany.

Livestock farming:  The main animals reared include cattle and pigs. Daily farming is mainly in Northern plain and the Alps.

Mixed farming:   This is carried out throughout the country but most importantly in the Northern plain. In this type of farming, crops are grown and animals are reared.

Market Gardening:   Is mainly done in the cities of Hamburg, Bremen, where there is ready market for fruits, vegetables and other items.

 Factors for the development of agriculture in Germany

Government Policy: After the World Wars, the government of Germany embarked on the development of agriculture to provide food. This was done by providing farmers with loans, consolidating the farms, carrying out research and training the farmers into modern methods of farming.

Capital: The capital was available to finance agricultural activities and this was provided by the government.

Cooperative Unions: The farmers have been organized in cooperative unions for effective management of the farms. Purchases and sales have been made easier with cooperative unions.

Climate: It is cool with moderate rainfall and temperature which are favourable for crop production and animal rearing.

Transport network: The transport network is well developed for easy transportation of products and other requirements. Germany has got a well developed road, railway and water transport networks.

Skilled labour: Farmers in Germany are highly trained and skilled in managing the farms.

Research: A lot of research has been done to improve on crop and animal production.

Market: Market for agricultural products is readily available within Europe and other countries outside Europe. Most of the agricultural products exported are raw materials for industries like cheese and butter making.

Political stability: Since the 2^nd World War, Germany has been politically stable making it easy for smooth running of the farms.

Farming in the Rhine Rift Valley.

The Rhine rift valley has suitable conditions for agriculture to take place. The valley floor is covered by both wind and water borne soils, alluvial and loess soils respectively.

As the valleys are warmer than the surrounding uplands, 25°C in summers and 2° - 4°C in winter, they therefore have a sheltered mild climate. Precipitation is just adequate throughout the year. :

The Riverbanks have been embarked with concrete to check on flooding at the same time to promote navigation through the course of the river.

On the lower slopes of the valley, Green pastures are common and have been introduced to the rearing of dairy cattle and sheep.

On the higher slopes, terraced method of arable farming is practiced. As the soils are covered with loess, maize, wheat tobacco, sugar beet, barley, oats and fruits form the major crops with good yields.

Fruits include pears, plums, apple,_; peaches and straw berries_: which are grown on the south facing slopes where there is direct sun influence that helps them to ripen during summers.

On the Hillsides, too, vines are grown on Platz province. The winters check on the pests, the slanting slopes ensure effective ripening.

After the launching of the "Green plan" which was designed to consolidate small farms into big farms, with higher important wages for farmers, mechanized methods by use of tractors plus combined harvesters were started with specialized food requirements in the West Germany as the arable land had been increased in size.

Factors that have favoured Farming in the Rhine Rift Valley

Climate: The region experiences warm summers with temperatures raising above 25° C. this helps in the ripening of fruits like apples, pears and berries.

Fertile soils: The soil in the region are of loess and alluvial origin and this encourages farming because they are deep and fertile. These soils have encouraged the growing of crops like sugar beet, maize and tobacco. Close to the towns, vegetables are grown intensively especially tomatoes, lettuce, onions among others. Market gardening is emphasized always to cater for the growing population.

Shattered valleys: The valley floor is sheltered from strong winds by the surrounding highlands and this has helped in the successful growing of vines.

 
Modern yards on the banks of the Rhine River in Germany

River Rhine: The presence of the River Rhine which is navigable throughout its course ensures that agricultural products can be transported easily and cheaply to the market        

Irrigation: The River also provides water for irrigation especially in the dry season.

Gentle slopes: The sides of the rift valley rise gently in undulating slopes. This nature of landscape makes the cultivation of vines ideal, it also allows some degree of mechanization to take place.

Market: there is availability of market both domestic and foreign, The foreign market includes countries like Britain, France, US among others.

Labour: The availability of skilled and semi-skilled labour, which is highly required because the agricultural sector has been modernized. Much of the labour is provided by the Germans themselves.

Improved transport: In addition to the River Rhine, the Rhine valley is well served with rail and road transport network. This has facilitated the mobility of labour from one place to another as well as the transportation of goods to the marketing centres.

Availability of capital: Many of the agricultural activities are intensive involving a lot of research and technology. This requires heavy investment of capital necessary for purchase of machines, fertilizers and other chemicals. The capital is provided by government and private investors.

The processes involved in vine growing in the Rhine valley (activities of the year)

Winter up to spring (December to March). Pruning and fertilizer application:-

End of May to beginning of June, there is spraying with insecticides and herbicides (8 times). Weeding is done to reduce moisture loss. End of October to mid November, harvesting is done

From end of November, into December, fermentation process of the grapes. May and June is time for bottling of the New Wine.

In spring, the vines are tied up to wires stretched between stakes so that the grapes can get maximum sunshine.

The busiest time of the year is the harvest time from October to mid November.

After the grapes are picked, they are carried in wooden containers called logels to the waiting trucks to be transported to the area where the first stage in wine processing is done. When they reach these centres, they are crushed and the juice is run off into giant barrels.

While the residue of the grape skins and seeds is taken away to be used as manure.

 

Plenty of sunshine is needed in the ripening of grapes because this increases on the sugar content. The higher the sugar content, the better the quality of wine.

Spraying is necessary in order to control diseases The major disease that attacks the crops is called Peronospera. Other pests include worms, moths and red spiders,

The other disease is Oidium, Spraying using sulphur powder controls this disease.

Problems facing viticulture in the Rhine valley

They face a problem of frost. It is serious during spring and "it affects the vines when they are full bloom. It kills the flower resulting in limited production or no grapes at all in the whole year.

There are diseases for example the Oidium and peronospera infections. Sometimes farmers make losses because of these.

There is also a problem of pests such insects tike moths, worms and spiders destroy the quality of the crop.

Pollution of the area with too much fertilizer and other industrial rejects,

Labour shortage experienced during the harvesting season in summer. This is due to competition with industries which are more paying.

In some areas the steep slopes restrict mechanization and construction of transport lines.

High cost of production because of high expenses on fertilizers, insecticides, pesticides, labour among other costs.

Soil exhaustion due to intensive cultivation.

There is a problem of periodic floods from Rhine River.

Seasonal drought especially during the growing season.

There is also a problem of soil erosion on the steep slopes.

Steps taken to solve the problems

Spraying with insecticides and herbicides is being encouraged in order to overcome the problem of pests and diseases.

Housewives are employed during the harvesting season in order to overcome the problem of labour shortage. In addition, there are improved wages for the people involved in the agricultural sector in order to overcome the influx of people moving from the agricultural sector to the industrial sector.

There has been construction of concrete and brick embarkments on both sides of the river to overcome the problem of seasonal flooding.

Farming in North Germany plain.

This plain is part of the extensive Great European plains.

It is low - lying and has been greatly affected by terminal moraine deposits of the Ice age. The plain is overlaid with glacial sand and boulder clays.

The plain is undulating and crossed by three rivers; namely Elbe, Wesser and Ems.

The river banks consist mainly of alluvial flood plains. Whereas on the south the areas are covered by loess -wind-borne soils. In the extreme North at the coast, there are clays and alluvial deposits.

Behind it, we find the Geestlands, which is largely covered by sand and infertile soils. However, attempts have been made to reclaim these areas.

Hence arable farming in this plain varies with soil fertility. The loess region on the south are idea and have resulted in intensive mixed farming Wheat, barley, oats and sugar beet are the chief crops. Cattle-the Friesian type are reared in large numbers, maintained on the fodder crops grown in rotation with the above.

The Geestlands are now treated with humus and fertilizers and are now put to the cultivation of potatoes and sugar beet. The coastal areas have been reclaimed and are used for growing fodder crops and looking after dairy cows.

 Using the photographic above;

(a) State the economic activity taking place in the photo

(b) Give reasons for the transportation of the feeds

(c) Discuss the problems faced by farmers in the photo.