Question 6
(a) The table below illustrates a basic economic principle in agriculture. Use it to answer
questions 6(a)(i) to 6(a)(iii).
- On the graph sheet provided, plot a graph showing the relationship between fertilizer used and tomato yield. Use a scale of 2 cm to 2 units on the x axis
and 2 cm to 2 units on the y axis. [4 marks] - Describe the relationship between the fertilizer used and tomato yield.. [2 marks]
- Suggest the most appropriate quantity of fertilizer to be applied on the tomato farm. [1 mark]
(b) State three effects of subsidy withdrawal on agricultural production. [3 marks]
(c) List four print media that could be used to disseminate information about a
new variety of maize to farmers. [4 marks]
(d) Name two insect pests each of the following crops:
(i) maize;
(ii) orange. [4 marks]
Observation
- Question 6 was very popular among candidates and marks were above average for most candidates. Most candidates could state the management practices carried out in poultry production.
- This question was fairly attempted by candidates.
- Many candidates could not mention the marketing services in agricultural production but mixed it up with problems of agricultural marketing.
The expected answers include:
6. (a) Management practices carried out in poultry production
- Candling - Feeding
- Sexing - Watering
- Egg handling - Sanitation
- Incubation - Housing
- Hatching - Debeaking
- Brooding - Vaccination
- Turning of litter/litter management - Caponization
- Age group rearing - Control of parasites
(b) Advantages of dehorning in cattle production
- Less space is required for feeding
- The animals eat more conveniently and grow faster
- Dehorned animals are more attractive and therefore yield more money
- They are easy to transport in vehicles from one area to another
- They are more safe to handle/docile
- It prevents injury of animals/handlers
(c ) Marketing services in Agricultural production
- Standardization/grading - Financing
- Packaging - Assemblage
- Transportation - Processing
- Storage - Distribution
- Risk bearing/insurance - Advertising
(d) Problems of agricultural marketing in West Africa
- Scattered sources of supply/small holdings
- Inadequate transportation
- Inadequate processing facilities
- Inadequate storage facilities
- Non-uniform weights and quantity measuring devices
- Inadequate financing
- Poor marketing skills/systems
- Adulteration of produce
- Instability of prices
- Inadequate market research
- Inadequate information about production and marketing
- Activities of middlemen
- Perishability of farm produce