Question 1
(a) Tomato farmers experienced bumper harvest but were forced to sell at very low prices to middlemen. Suggest to the government five ways in which the problem could be solved.
(5 marks)
(b) Name two implements used for each of the following farm operations:
(i) land preparation;
(ii) planting;
(iii) harvesting;
(iv) crop processing. (8 marks)
(c) Outline five problems associated with the use of farm machinery. (5 marks)
Observation
Majority of candidates who attempted Question 1 were unable to provide
the required answers; thus recording poor marks.
(a) Many candidates could not suggest ways government can prevent farmers
from selling tomatoes at farm gate prices to middlemen.
(b) Most of the candidates were mentioning farm tools used for land preparation,
harvesting, crop processing e.t.c. instead of farm implements; thus losing marks.
-
The expected answers include:
1. (a) Ways by which government could prevent farmers from selling
tomatoes at very low prices to middlemen
Government can- allocate quota of tomatoes to be produced by individual farmers
- determine the prices at which farmers should sell the produce/price control
- establish storage facilities at strategic locations
- assist in providing facilities for distribution of excess produce
- establish processing facilities to process excess tomatoes
- facilitate the export of excess tomatoes
- fund research into tomato varieties that do not spoil quickly after harvest
- encourage cooperative farming
- provide price support to farmers
- enhance farmers access to information on prices
- buy off the tomatoes from farmers/contract buying
- build farmers capacity to improve marketing efficiency
- provide market infrastructure
(b) Implements used for farm operations
(i) Land preparation
- Plough - Harrow
- Cultivator/rotavator - Ridger(ii) Planting
- Planter - Seed drill
- Seed broadcaster
(iii) Harvesting
- Cotton picker - Corn picker
- Cassava lifter/puller/harvester - Groundnut lifter
- Mower/slasher - Potato harvester
(iv) Crop processing
- Thresher - Grinder/miller
- Sheller - Grater
- Grader - Grain dryer
- Mixer - Hydraulic press
- Winnowing machine(c) Problems associated with the use of farm machinery
- It is expensive to purchase
- Results in the displacement of farm workers
- Leads to compaction of soil
- Causes environmental pollution
- High cost of maintenance
- Results in degradation of landscape
- Destruction of soil structure
- Topography/uneven soil surface
- Inadequate spare parts
- Inadequate expertise/ low technical know-how
- Small farm holding/land tenure system/land fragmentation