Theory question 101
Agricultural Development(a) Mention three ways in which each of the following factors affect agricultural development: (i) poor tools and implements; (ii) poor storage facilities.
(b) Suggest one solution to the problem of poor tools and implements.
(c) State three objectives each of: (i) Land Use Act; (ii) quarantine programme; (iii) government agricultural loan and subsidy schemes.
Show the model answer
(a)(i) Poor tools (any three): only small areas can be farmed; hard, tiring work (drudgery) discourages youths; operations are slow and late; low output and income; poor quality work
(ii) Poor storage (any three): heavy losses to pests, rot and moulds; farmers forced to sell cheaply at harvest; scarcity and high prices later; low income discourages production; less raw material for industries
(b) Any one: tractor hiring units; local fabrication of improved tools; subsidies/credit to buy machines; training in the use of machines
(c)(i) Land Use Act (any three): make land easier to obtain for farming and development; reduce land disputes; prevent speculation and hoarding of land; give secure title (certificate of occupancy)
(ii) Quarantine (any three): keep out foreign pests and diseases; stop spread of diseases within the country; maintain healthy crops and animals; protect export quality
(iii) Loans and subsidies (any three): help farmers buy inputs; reduce cost of production; encourage adoption of new technology; increase output and farm income; make farming attractive
Three effects for each factor, then three objectives for each scheme.