Statement I; Plantation farming has mostly been practised in humid tropics. Statement II: The soil of humid tropics is highly fertile.

Statement I is true as plantation agriculture is a large-scale commercial system primarily practiced in the humid tropics, focusing on perennial crops like rubber, oil palm, tea, and coffee [1]. These regions provide the necessary high rainfall and consistent warmth required for such crops [1]. However, Statement II is false. Soils in the humid tropics, such as laterites, are generally characterized by low fertility due to intense leaching caused by heavy rainfall. This process washes away essential nutrients, leaving the soil acidic and nutrient-poor. While the lush natural vegetation might suggest high fertility, the nutrients are mostly locked in the biomass rather than the soil itself. Consequently, plantations in these regions often require significant inputs of inorganic fertilizers and cover crops to maintain productivity and check soil fertility decline [1].

Sources

1. [1] Certificate Physical and Human Geography , GC Leong (Oxford University press 3rd ed.) > Chapter 16: The Tropical Monsoon and Tropical Marine Climate > Agricultural Development in the Monsoon Lands > p. 161