Agriculture Paper 2, Nov/Dec 2015

Question 2

  1. List three examples each of the following factors affecting the distribution and production of crops and animals:
  2. climatic;
  3. biotic;
  4. edaphic.

      [9 marks]

  1. State:

(i)       five advantages of farm mechanization;
(ii)      four disadvantages of farm mechanization.                        [9 marks]     

Observation

This question was well attempted by the candidates.  In 2(a)(i-iii), most of the candidates were able to list examples of climatic, biotic and edaphic factors affecting the distribution and production of crops and animals.
Also, majority of them could state the advantages of farm mechanization but they could not state the disadvantages of farm mechanization as required in 2(b) (i-ii).         

The expected answers include:

2(b) (ii)     Disadvantages of farm mechanization
-   Promotes unemployment
-   Machines may compact the soil thereby destroying soil structure
-   Machines are costly to purchase
-   Machines are costly to maintain
-   Requires skilled and experienced operators/technical know- how/expertise
-   Machines pollute the soil/environment
-   Some of the machines are not adapted to the tropical environment