Observation

Question 6 was attempted by few candidates and responses were poor.
(a)  Many candidates that attempted this question were writing on the general effects of
       rural-urban migration on the economy and not particularly on agricultural production.
(b)  Most candidates could not suggest ways by which the government can reduce rural-urban
       migration for agricultural production.
(c)  Some candidates lost marks in this question by mentioning crops which supply protein like
       groundnut, cowpea etc and not their processed meal/cake

The expected answers include:

(a)        Effects of rural-urban migration on agricultural production in West Africa

(i)         Shortage of Labour
The migration of able-bodied youths and agricultural workers result in low
labour availability for agriculture

(ii)        Food insecurity
Migration of young and skilled agricultural workers to urban centers results in less production of food and could lead to shortage in food production

(iii)       Poverty
Migration of young and working agricultural population out of rural areas would result in old people and young children being left there. The output of these category of people is low and would result in poverty in rural areas.

(iv)       Increased cost of production
The availability of less labour for agricultural production due to rural-urban migration will increase the cost of production due to increased labour costs

(v)        Old and young people engaging in farming activities
Migration of skilled agricultural workers to towns and cities results in agriculture being left in the hands of old people and very young children whose output are low

(vi)       High cost of farm produce
The increased cost of labour coupled with low output often lead to high cost of farm produce

(b)        Ways by which government can reduce rural-urban migration for agricultural development
-   Provision of basic amenities in rural areas
-   Establishment of agro-based industries in rural areas
-   Enactment of laws that encourage easy acquisition of land for agriculture
-   Establishment of agricultural development banks with easy access to agricultural
loans for farmers/provision of credit facilities to rural farmer
-   Establishment of government programmes in rural areas e.g. farm settlement schemes

-   Establishment of agro-service centres

-  Provision of agricultural training/extension services in rural areas

-   Provision of subsidy for farmers in rural areas
-   Encouragement of cooperative farming
-   Establishment of marketing/commodity boards
-   Provision of tractor hiring services in rural areas to reduce drudgery in farming

(c)        Sources of plant protein in animal nutrition
-   Soya bean meal/cake          -   Sunflower seed meal/cake       -   Groundnut cake/meal
-   Cashew nut meal/cake        -   Palm kernel cake/meal             -    Forage legumes
-   Cotton seed meal/cake        -   Bambara nut cake/meal