Correct Answer :Option C) 1 & 3
Plantation farming is a specialized form of agriculture that originated during the colonial period and continues to be an important agricultural system today. Let me explain each statement:
Statement 1: Plantation farming is a form of commercial farming - Correct
Plantation farming is indeed a type of commercial farming where crops are grown primarily for sale in markets rather than for subsistence. The entire production is oriented towards generating profit through large-scale cultivation of cash crops like tea, coffee, rubber, sugarcane, cotton, and spices.
Statement 2: It focuses on growing multiple crops for self-sustenance - Incorrect
This statement is false. Plantation farming is characterized by monoculture - the cultivation of a single crop over large areas. It does not focus on multiple crops or self-sustenance. Instead, it specializes in one particular cash crop that has high market demand and commercial value.
Statement 3: It uses large-scale capital inputs and migrant labor - Correct
Plantation farming requires substantial capital investment for land preparation, modern machinery, irrigation systems, processing facilities, and transportation infrastructure. It also typically employs large numbers of workers, often including migrant laborers who move from other regions to work on these plantations.