Observation

This question was least popular among candidates and most of them avoided it.

1. Majority of candidates who attempted this question could not explain organic agriculture as well as give reasons why farmers should practise it.
2. Question 3(d) was also poorly attempted by candidates because they could not differentiate monocotyledonous crops from dicotyledonous crops. However, they gave examples of fruits, seeds and vegetables.

The expected answers include:
3. (a)(i)            Meaning of organic agriculture      
Organic agriculture involves the use of remains of plants and animals/organic manure and biological pest control to improve production of crops and animals
                                                                                                           

    (ii)    Reasons why farmers practice organic agriculture

• Encourage crop diversity (in which multiple crops are grown on the same farm)
• Encourages proper soil management (in which minimum tillage, cover cropping, crop rotation and organic manuring are used)
• Ensures proper weed control (in which weeds are suppressed rather than applying herbicides)
• Ensures effective pest control without the use of pesticide/encourages the use of organic pesticides
• Prevents environmental pollution through the use of agrochemicals
• Reduces health hazards associated with consumption of chemically produced crops and animals
• Organic farms are more energy efficient
• Organic agriculture ensures food security

  (b)        Importance of cover crops in soil management

• Fix atmospheric nitrogen through the nitrogen fixing bacteria present in their root nodules
• Control/check soil erosion
• Conserve soil moisture/by preventing evaporation
• Suppress weed growth
• Add organic matter to the soil
• Protect the surface of the soil from direct heat of the sun
• Act as wind break and reduce wind movement
• Prevent leaching of plant nutrients
• Encourage the activities of soil microbes
• Harbour soil microbes such as earthworm which helps in pulverising the soil/improve soil structure

(c)        Classification of crops based on morphology