Weakness and Remedies

 Majority of the candidates were unable to:

• highlight the aims of the International Livestock Centre for Africa (ILCA);
• mention the precautions that should be taken when using a knapsack sprayer;
• explain ways in which soil profile and soil texture are important in crop production;
• draw and label the carbon cycle;
• give reasons why the carbon cycle is important to crops and animals;
• state the advantages of organic fertilizers over inorganic fertilizers;
• determine the expected plant population of tomato plants on the farmland;
• mention the effects of high wind velocity on growing crops;
• explain the balance sheet;
• write legibly and concisely;
• spell agricultural terms correctly.

Based on the observed weaknesses, the Chief Examiners recommended as follows:

• Adequate coverage of the syllabus;
• Improved reading culture among candidates is advocated;
• Candidates should be exposed to questions on calculations in agricultural science;  
• The acquisition of practical skills in the subject through field visits, excursions;
• Exposure of candidates to technical terms used in agriculture;
• Candidates should write legibly and concisely;