Question 1
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(a) Explain four ways in which each of the following factors hinders agricultural development in West Africa
(i) basic amenities;
(ii) farm inputs. (8 marks)
(b) State three uses of each of the following farm machinery:
(i) tractor;
(ii)bulldozer. (6 marks)
(c) State four daily maintenance practices carried out on a tractor. (4 marks)
Observation
- This question was most popular among candidates. However, some candidates failed to distinguish how basic amenities and farm inputs affect agricultural development in West Africa.
- Some candidates misinterpreted the uses of tractor and bulldozer and were interchanging them.
- Some candidates found it difficult to distinguish the daily and routine maintenance practices carried out on a tractor.
The expected answers include:
1. (a) Factors hindering agricultural development in West Africa
(i) Basic amenities
- Inadequate storage facilities result in wastage of farm produce
- Inadequate processing facilities cause wastage of farm produce
- Inadequate provision/lack of portable water for domestic use
- Shortage of water for irrigation
- Lack/inadequate recreational facilities which promote rural-urban migration
- Poor health care services/facilities reduce productivity of farmers
- Lack of/inadequate supply of electricity in many rural areas for farm operations
- Bad road network connecting the rural areas to the urban centres makes
evacuation of farm produce difficult
- Lack of adequate educational facilities for farmers’ children
(ii) Farm inputs
- Lack of/inadequate access to modern tools and farm machinery which constrains
farmers to subsistence farming/use of crude tools
- Inadequate supply/high cost of farm inputs such as seeds, fertilizers,
agrochemicals to farmers which reduce farm output
- Inadequate supply of improved breeds of farm animals reduces livestock
production
- Inadequate supply/high cost of feeds for feeding animals
- Poor technical know-how in the use of inputs made available to farmers
- Untimely supply of farm inputs e.g. fertilizer to farmers which delays timely
planting of crops
- Poor quality/adulterated farm input e.g. seed, fertilizer.
(b) Uses of farm machinery
(i) Tractor
- Pulling/lifting of farm implements
- Can be used to generate electricity
- Carrying of loads to and from the farm/haulage/transportation
- Provision of power for field operation such as ploughing, harrowing, ridging and planting
- Provision of power for driving stationery equipment such as shellers, grinders
(ii) Bulldozer
- Collection of earth
- Moving of earth/road construction
- Stumping
- Bush clearing
- Removal of obstacles
(c) Daily maintenance practices carried out on a tractor
- Checking of tyre pressure and gauging when necessary
- Parking it in a shed
- Checking of the radiator and topping the water when necessary
- Checking of brake fluid level
- Checking of the engine oil
- General cleaning of the tractor after use
- Checking bolts and nuts