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Question 1
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(a) Distinguish between the following agricultural systems:
(i) mono culture and monocropping;
(ii) shifting cultivation and land rotation. [ 6 marks]
(b) State four problems of commercial agriculture in West Africa. [4 marks]
(c) Mention four uses of the farm tractor. [4 marks]
(d) List four indigenous methods of land preparation. [2 marks] |
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This question was fairly attempted by the candidates. In question la (i and ii), majority of the
candidates were unable to distinguish between some agricultural systems (i.e monoculture and
monocropping; shifting cultivation and land rotation). However, in question 1 (b), most
candidates were able to state the problems of commercial agriculture in West Africa. Further to
this, majority of the candidates were able to mention the uses of the farm tractor and list
indigenous methods of land preparation as demanded in questions 1 (c) and (d).
The expected answers include:
Distinction between agricultural systems:
Monoculture is the practice of cultivating one and the same crop on the same piece of land
every cropping season.
Whereas,
Monocropping is a practice of cultivating a single crop species each growing season and
harvesting it before another crop is planted.
Shifting cultivation is a fanning system whereby a piece of land is cultivated continuously for
some years and then abandoned as a result of the decline in soil fertility, build-up of pests and
diseases,and the resultant reduction in crop yield. The farmer abandons not only the exhausted
farmland but also his settlement for a new fann and a new settlement with no hope of coming
back.
Whereas
Land rotation involves growing crops on a piece of land until it is exhausted and the land is left
to follow for some years before it is used again. The farmer clears other areas in succession to
make new farms while remaining in his farmstead. |
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