Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Plantation agriculture is a form of commercial farming where a single crop is cultivated on a large scale. These crops are grown for profit and are often exported. The question asks to identify the crop from the list that does not fit this description.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Let's examine each option:
Tea: Grown on large estates called tea gardens, it is a classic example of a plantation crop, requiring significant capital and labor.
Rubber: Cultivated on large plantations, especially in Southeast Asia, for its latex. It is a major industrial raw material and a typical plantation crop.
Maize (Corn): Maize is a cereal grain. While it can be grown on a large commercial scale (commercial grain farming), it is primarily classified as a food crop or a staple grain, not a traditional plantation crop like tea or coffee. It is grown under various agricultural systems worldwide.
Coffee: Grown on large estates known as coffee plantations, especially in Latin America and Africa. It is a high-value commercial crop and a prime example of a plantation crop.
Tea, Rubber, and Coffee fit the definition of plantation crops. Maize is the exception.
Step 3: Final Answer:
Therefore, Maize is not considered a plantation crop in the traditional sense.