Question 3
(a) Using the table below, name two agricultural raw materials used by each of the
following agro-based industries.
Agro-based industry |
Agricultural raw material |
Soap industry |
(i) …………………………………… |
Textile industry |
(i) ………………………………….. |
Beverage industry |
(i) …………………………………... |
Canning industry |
(i) …………………………………... |
(8 marks)
(b) (i) Explain briefly the term nursery as used in crop production. (2 marks)
(ii) List four factors that should be considered in selecting a site for the establishment of a crop nursery. (4 marks)
Observation
Most candidates were only able to mention cotton as the raw material used in textile industry while some candidates could not explain nursery in concise sentences.
The expected answer include:
3. (a) Agricultural raw materials used by agro-based industries
Soap industry
- Palm kernel oil - Plantain peels
- Cocoa pod - Cassava peels
- Shea butter oil - Palm oil / Vegetable oil
- Maize cobs
Textile industry
- Cotton
- Wool
-Hair / Fur
- Jute
- Sisal hemp
Beverage industry
- Cocoa
- Tea
- Coffee
Canning industry
- Meat - Milk
- Fish - Fruits
- Tomato - Beans
- Vegetables - Sweet corn
(b) (i) Explanation of nursery as used in crop production
Nursery is a demarcated place where young plants are raised under intensive
management practices for later transplanting into permanent fields/area.
(ii) Factors that should be considered in selecting a site for the establishment of
a crop nursery
- Nearness to planting site / field - Topography
- Source of water supply - Soil type
- Availability of natural shades - Market for seedlings
- Micro-climate of the location (wind/humidity/rainfall/sunlight)
(c) Advantages of drip irrigation
- Can be used on steep slopes
- Efficiency of water use is very high
- Economises water as it delivers directly to the roots
- Can be used to supply soluble fertilizers to plants through drippers
- Makes the use of poor quality water such as effluents possible
- Labour requirement for water application is low
- Supplies water to crops only while weeds in rows are not supplied with water
- Reduces the spread of some diseases as it does not splash water from one plant to
another
- Requires less energy in water distribution
- Reduces evaporation of water