Which one of the following is a characteristic feature of Market Gardening ?
– Small to medium-sized farms.
– Intensive farming practices (high labour and capital inputs per unit area).
– Focus on perishable or high-value crops.
– Proximity to markets for quick transport of produce.
– Dependence on efficient transportation and communication networks.
Let’s analyze the options:
A) Farms are typically small or medium-sized, not very large, to facilitate intensive cultivation and proximity to markets.
B) The Netherlands is renowned for its highly intensive and technologically advanced horticulture, including greenhouse production of vegetables, flowers, and plants, largely catering to both domestic and international markets. This is a classic example of market gardening (though often referred to more broadly as horticulture).
C) It is well-developed in areas near markets, which are typically densely populated urban centers, not sparsely populated areas.
D) Market gardening focuses on supplying consumers, typically in urban areas, who have the purchasing power to buy relatively higher-cost fresh produce. It’s not primarily targeted at low-income consumers.