This question also attracted a lot of candidates, most of whom scored relatively high marks. Candidates were expected to define subsistent farming in the (a) part, distinguish crop farming and livestock farming in the (b) part and to identify some measures that the government of your country can adopt to boost agricultural production. Most candidates mistook peasant farming for subsistent farming in the (a) part and could not really differentiate between crop farming and livestock farming and identify measures to be taken by government to boost agricultural production in the (b) and (c) parts of the question . Candidates were expected to answer thus:

(a)        Subsistence farming is a system of farming in which crops and livestock are raised for the farmer’s family consumption and not for sale.
(b)       Crop farming is the cultivation of both food crops such as plantain, cassava and cash crops such as cocoa, oil palm etc while livestock farming involves the rearing of animals eg poultry, sheep, goats.

(c)(i)    Granting easy credit to farmers to expand their farms.
(ii)    Improving the land tenure system and ensuring easy access to land.
(iii)   Provision of adequate infrastructure such as roads and utilities in the farming areas.
(iv)   Expanding agricultural extension services to educate farmers on modern farming techniques.
(v)    Promotion of all-year-round cultivation through provision of irrigation schemes.
(vi)   Improving agricultural marketing through introduction of guaranteed prices.
(vii)  Providing subsidies on agricultural inputs so that farmers can afford them.
(viii)             Measures to minimize insect and pest infestation to reduce post-harvest losses.
(ix)   Provision of storage facilities such as silos and refrigeration equipment.
(x)    Introduction of high yielding and improved seeds through research.
(xi)   Introduction of improved tools and implements through mechanization and modern techniques.
(xii)  Organization of agricultural fairs to make agriculture more attractive.