(a) Define land as a factor of production.
(b) State three features of land.
(c) Explain four ways in which land contributes to the economic development of your country
Explanation
(a) Land refers to the natural resources, or free gift of nature such as farmlands, mineral deposits, water bodies, sunshine etc.
(b)(i) Land is a free gift of nature; man has not incurred any cost to bring it into existence.
(ii) Land is fixed in supply as given by nature
(iii) Land is geographically immobile
(iv) Land is subject to the law of diminishing returns
(v) The quality and value of land varies from place to place.
(c)(i) Land is used for crop production and hence is a source of food for the population
(ii) Land is the source of, fishing i.e. the water bodies serve as the source of fishing
(iii) Land is the source of raw materials for industry e.g tiber, minerals etc
(iv) Land is used in the construction industry in the building of houses, roads and factory structures etc.
(v) Water bodies provide the means for water transportation
(vi) Land is used for wildlife conservation and tourism
(vii) Water bodies provide the means of hydro-electricity generation
(viii) Adequate sunshine is the source of solar energy generation
(ix) Land is used for animal rearing
(x) Land is a source of revenue and foreign exchange earner
(xi) Adequate wind is the source of wind power generation
(xii) Land is a source of employment and income for those engaged in primary production.