This question was fairly attempted by the candidates.  In 6(a-b), majority of the candidates could neither highlight the roles of agricultural extension in agricultural development nor outline the problems faced by agricultural extension workers in  West Africa.   Finally, most of the candidates were able to discuss the cultivation of groundnut under soil requirements, method of propagation and methods of storage as well as mention field pests and storage pests of maize as required in 6(c) and (d) respectively.

The expected answers include.
6.  (a)   Roles of agricultural extension in agricultural development in West Africa

• Provides effective linkage between researchers and farmers
• Serves as a two-way line of communication between policy makers (government ) and farmers
• Provides opportunity for farmers to adopt improved farming methods, techniques and innovations
• Enables farmers to be aware of support services available to them including financial assistance  /farm inputs
• Helps farmers to become competent and confident to confront their farming problems at the individual level
• Helps to supervise the beneficiaries of agricultural loans
• Assists in the supervision and evaluation of agricultural development programmes
• Helps farmers to identify better marketing channels to sell their farm produce
• Helps to improve farmers’ standard of living
• Helps in collection and collation of basic information relating to rural programmes
• Conducts and organises training for farmers/educate the farmers
• Helps in the implementation of auxiliary programmes e.g. formation of Cooperatives, Young Farmers’ Club

(b)    Problems faced by agricultural extension workers in West Africa

• Language barrier/communication challenges
• Conservatism of farmers
• Poor remuneration
• Socio-cultural barriers/conflicting religious beliefs
• Inadequate extension tools
• Illiteracy of the farmers
• Inadequate/poor transportation facilities
• Inadequate  extension workers