AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE MOCK QUESTION

PAPER 2 [ESSAY]
[80 marks]
_{Answer five questions in all. One question from each section.}

_{Credit will be given for clarity of expression and orderly presentation of material.}

_{All questions carry equal marks.}

Section A
_{Answer one question only from this section.}

1. (a) (i) Give three reasons why disc ploughs are frequently used on soils in West Africa.
(ii) State four effects of the frequent use of the disc plough on soils.
(b) (i) Explain the term irrigation
(ii) State four disadvantages of overhead irrigation.

2. (a) State:
   two advantages;
   four disadvantages;
   of the communal land tenure system.
   (b) Give three reasons why farm holdings are generally small in West Africa.
   © State four disadvantages of farm mechanization.

Section B
_{Answer one question only from this section.}

3 (a) What is inorganic fertilizer!
(b) Give four advantages for using organic fertilizers in crop production.
© State two ways in which cover crops contribute to soil and water conservation.
(d) Describe four methods of applying inorganic fertilizers in crop production.

4. (a) Enumerate four farming practices which could lead to soil and water loss.
   (b) Explain three ways in which water causes weathering of rocks in West Africa.
   © Discuss three factors that influence soil erosion.

Section C
_{Answer one question only from this section.}

5. (a) Describe five cultural methods of controlling crop pest.
   (b) List four grasses that are used for lawn establishment in West Africa.
   © Give one example of insect pests with the following mouth parts:
   Boring;
   Piercing and sucking.
6. (a) (i) What is grafting as used in crop propagation?
   Explain four factors that influence graft success.
   State six measures that could be used to control insect-pests of stored grains.

Section D
_{Answer one question only from this section}

7 (a) Explain each of the following terms as used in animal production:
Flushing;
Tethering;
weaning.
(b) Give two reasons why maintenance ration is important in animal production.
© State three benefits of each of the following animal husbandly practices:
Culling;
(ii) dehorning.
(d) Mention two major sources of minerals in animal nutrition.

8. (a) State three aims of animal improvement programmes in West Africa.
   (b) State four characteristics of the deep litter system of poultry keeping.
   © (i) What is fish farming?
   List three structures that are used for growing fish in West Africa.
   List four methods of preserving fish in West Africa.

Section E
_{Answer one question only from this section.}

9. (a) (i) What is agribusiness?
   (ii) Outline the steps involved in setting up an agribusiness.
   (b) Enumerate four marketing functions in agribusiness.
   © Outline two roles of universities in agricultural extension.
10. (a) Distinguish between short term credit and long term credit in agricultural financing.
    (b) State two demerits of each of the following sources of agricultural credits:
    individuals;
    (in cooperatives:
    government;
    © State four characteristics of an effective extension system.