Theory question 101
Introduction to Agriculture(a) In a tabular form, five differences between subsistence and commercial agriculture.
(b) Suggest two possible solutions to each of the following problems of agricultural development in West Africa: (i) inadequate land; (ii) inadequate finance; (iii) incidence of diseases.
(c) What is agricultural ecology?
(d) State five sources of pollution of agricultural lands and fish ponds.
Show the model answer
(a) Any five pairs: subsistence produces mainly for family use / commercial mainly for sale; small farms / large farms; simple tools / machines; family labour / hired skilled labour; low capital / high capital; low yields / high yields; local varieties and breeds / improved ones; few fertilizers and pesticides / heavy use; mixed cropping / monocropping; few records / proper records.
(b)(i) Land: enforce land reform (Land Use Act); form co-operatives to acquire land; reclaim swamps/irrigate dry land; intensive farming. (ii) Finance: cheap credit from agricultural banks; subsidies on inputs; co-operative thrift societies; government grants. (iii) Diseases: vaccines and drugs at low cost; resistant varieties/breeds; train farmers in disease control; quarantine.
(c) Agricultural ecology is the study of the relationships between crops and farm animals and their environment (living and non-living factors) on the farm.
(d) Any five: crude oil spills; industrial effluents; excess fertilizers and pesticides; sewage and domestic refuse; mining wastes; burning (smoke); animal wastes; plastic and non-biodegradable waste.
Put the differences side by side in two columns.