Agriculture Paper 2, WASSCE (SC), 2022

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).

              

 

  1. 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]
  2. Describe the relationship between the fertilizer used and tomato yield..                                                      [2 marks]
  3. 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

 

  1. 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.
  2. This question was fairly attempted by candidates.
  3.  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