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In this lesson we are going to discuss about Factors Which Have Favoured Wheat Growing In Canada

Answer Text:
Factors Which Have Favoured Wheat Growing In Canada/Which Have Led To the Rise of Canadian Prairies to Be One of the Leading
Wheat Producing Regions in the World
a) Warm summer temperatures (about 15.5◦c) which is ideal for wheat growing.
b) Low altitude lowlands which are warm and favourable to wheat growth as highlands are too cold for the crop.
c) Sufficient rainfall of 560mm per annum which supports wheat growth well.
d) Extensive uninhabited tracts of land which have enabled large scale mechanised wheat cultivation.
e) Good connection of prairie lands to domestic and international markets by railways, roads and sea ways.
f) Fertile soils of prairies on which humus has accumulated without disturbance for a long time.
g) Undulating topography of prairies which offers well drained suitable for wheat cultivation.

Cultivation (Production Methods)
- Land is prepared by ploughing using tractor driven ploughs.
- It’s then hallowed several times to allow weeds and stray wheat grains to be killed in the next harrowing.
- Manure and phosphate fertilizers are applied after the last harrow before sowing.
- Sowing is done using drills that are pulled by tractors or hands.
- Weeding is done by spraying or pulling using hands.
- The crop is regularly inspected for pests and diseases.

Canada
- Wheat is grown in extensive farms.
- All work is done by machines e.g. ploughing, harrowing, sowing, weeding, spraying and harvesting.
- Large amounts of grains are produced on these farms.
- The grain is mainly for export.
- Farmers are specialized.

Harvesting
- Wheat is harvested by cutting heads using sharp knifes for small scale farms or combined harvesters for large scale farms
which also threshes the grain.
- The grain is pumped into trucks or tractors which move alongside the harvesters.
- It’s taken to farm stores where it’s passed through driers before it’s packed for sale.

Processing
- Wheat is cleaned and soaked in water to make it easier to remove the outer layers.
- It’s passed through breaker rolls to separate endosperm with the bran.
- The grain undergoes a series of grinding and sifting to obtain fine flour.
- The flour may be bleached to give it desirable white qualities.
- It may also be enriched with vitamins and iron.

Wheat Uses
a) For bakery e.g. cakes, bread, etc.
b) Wheat products are also used to make alcohol, preparation of glue and adhesive.
c) Outer part of kernel is used to make bran for animal and poultry feeds.

Marketing
Kenya
- All wheat produced is consumed locally.
- There is no surplus for export.
- Farmers take their produce to NCPB stores.

Canada
- Its large urban population offers a sizeable market where it’s delivered by elaborate road and railway network.
- The bulk is exported to countries such as Russia, Britain, China, etc. through the Saint Lawrence Sea Way.

Role of Wheat to the Economies Kenya and Canada
a) Has promoted development of related industries such as bakery, alcohol manufacturing, etc.
b) It saves some foreign exchange.
c) It creates employment in farms, processing, and other related industries.
d) Provides income to farmers, traders which alleviates poverty and also raises the standard of living.
e) In Canada it has led to improvement of infrastructure in growing areas to ease transportation of wheat.

Problems
Kenya
a. Farmers have inadequate capital to buy inputs which lowers the yields.
b. Pests such as dusty brown beetle which eat stem damaging the plant.
c. Diseases such as the fungal stem rust which attacks the stem.
d. Price fluctuations on the domestic market especially when selling through middle men.
e. Shortage of storage facilities because the produce is transported to straight to NCPB before it sells it.
f. Climatic hazard such as the stormy rains which flattens the crop leading to rotting and drought which may destroy
entire crop.
g. Soil exhaustion due to monoculture.

Canada
a) Pests and diseases leading to low yields.
b) Soil exhaustion due to monoculture which necessitates use of fertilizers.
c) Adverse climatic conditions such as frost, hail and drought during summer.
d) Price fluctuations in the world market which reduces farmer’s income.
e) Transport problem during winter when export routes are frozen causing difficulty in accessing the sole market in USA.