Theory question 101
Introduction to Agriculture(a) State four benefits of agriculture to the economy of West African countries.
(b) Enumerate four functions of agro-services centers in your country.
(c) Outline four routine tractor maintenance practices.
(d) State two functions of each of the following parts of the farm tractor: (i) three-point linkage; (ii) hydraulic lever.
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(a) Any four: food for the population; raw materials for industries; employment; foreign exchange from exports; income for farmers; revenue for government; market for industrial goods; feed for livestock.
(b) Any four: supply seeds, fertilizers and agrochemicals; sell or hire out tools and machines; supply spare parts and repair machines; supply vaccines and drugs; give technical/extension advice; sell inputs at subsidised rates.
(c) Any four: check and top up engine oil, radiator water and battery electrolyte daily; check tyre pressure; grease moving parts; clean the air cleaner; change engine oil and filters at set hours; adjust fan belt; clean tractor after use and park it in a shed.
(d)(i) Three-point linkage: attaches mounted implements to the tractor; raises and lowers them; controls working depth; transfers implement weight to the rear wheels for better grip.
(ii) Hydraulic lever: controls raising and lowering of implements; holds an implement at a set position/depth; operates external hydraulic equipment such as tipping trailers and loaders.
Maintenance points should be specific actions, not general statements.