Theory question 101
Agricultural Development(a) Discuss briefly four ways in which any three of the following government agricultural programmes have contributed to the agricultural development of Nigeria. (i) Agricultural Development Projects. (ii) Farm Settlement Scheme. (iii) Co-operative Farming. (iv) River Basin and Rural Development Authorities. (v) Agricultural Research Institutes.
(b) List four agro-based industries in Nigeria and state the raw materials used in each industry.
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(a) Any three programmes, four points each:
ADPs – supply inputs through farm service centres; intensive extension (training and visit); build feeder roads, earth dams and boreholes; bring services close to rural farmers; raise output and income
Farm settlements – reduce unemployment of school leavers; teach modern farming; develop rural infrastructure, reducing rural–urban drift; demonstration effect on nearby farmers; increase food output
Co-operative farming – farmers pool resources; bulk purchase of inputs at lower cost; easier access to credit; joint storage, processing, transport and marketing; spreads risks
River Basin and Rural Development Authorities – build dams for irrigation and all-year farming; provide land clearing/tractor hire; supply water; build roads; fish ponds and fingerlings
Research institutes – develop improved varieties and breeds; better pest and disease control and vaccines; improved cultural practices; better storage and processing methods
(b) Any four: oil mill – oil palm, groundnut, soya bean; textile/ginnery – cotton; brewery – maize, sorghum, barley; sugar industry – sugarcane; tyre/rubber industry – latex; cigarette – tobacco; flour mill – wheat, maize; starch/garri – cassava; paper – wood pulp; fruit canning/juice – fruits; leather – hides and skins; feed mill – maize, soya, groundnut cake
Pick three programmes and give four contributions each.