Theory question 101
Farm Power(a) State three advantages and two disadvantages of manual labour
(b) Enumerate four qualities of good draught animals.
(c) State two precautions to be observed when using draught animals.
(d) Explain how power from each of the following sources are harnessed for use on the farm: (i) sun (ii) biogas.
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(a) Advantages (any three): cheap and readily available; can do delicate or precise jobs; intelligent – can control other power sources; works on small or difficult plots. Disadvantages (any two): slow, low output; tiring/drudgery; limited area covered; affected by illness and age
(b) Any four: large, strong body; strong legs and hooves; docile and easily trained; healthy; good stamina/energetic; preferably castrated males
(c) Any two: do not overwork them; feed and water them well; keep them healthy (vaccinate, deworm); work them in cool hours; handle them gently
(d)(i) Sun: solar panels/photovoltaic cells change sunlight into electricity, stored in batteries to run pumps and lights; solar dryers use heat to dry crops
(ii) Biogas: animal dung (and plant waste) is mixed with water in an airtight digester; bacteria decompose it without air, producing methane gas, which is piped and burnt for cooking, heating and lighting; the residue is used as manure
Answer each sub-part in turn.