Final answer:
Geographic and environmental conditions had the greatest influence on the type of agriculture in Africa's forest regions, varied rainfall and soil fertility led to different agricultural practices, with well-watered regions fostering crop cultivation and dry areas promoting nomadism.
Step-by-step explanation:
The factor that had the greatest influence over the type of agriculture that developed in the forest regions of Africa was the geographic and environmental conditions of these regions. In well-watered areas like the savannas, the ample rain and soil fertility allowed for settled communities and crop cultivation. Conversely, in the arid belts bordering the deserts, less fertile soil and lower rainfall made extensive farming difficult, leading to nomadic lifestyles and the herding of animals. The tropical rainforests presented variable environments which required the Bantu people to adapt their farming techniques over centuries of experimentation and adaptation, leading to successful farming communities by the sixth century CE.
Different environmental conditions such as rainfall, soil fertility, and disease presence like the tsetse fly significantly influenced the emergence and development of agriculture across Africa. Furthermore, the availability of soils and the rate of population growth in Sub-Saharan Africa have continued to shape the agricultural practices and potential for future expansion there.