Theory question 101
Agricultural Development(a) Explain four ways in which each of the following factors hinders agricultural development in West Africa: (i) Basic amenities; (ii) Farm input.
(b) State three uses each of the following farm machinery: (i) Tractor; (ii) Bulldozer.
(c) State four daily maintenance practices carried out on a tractor.
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(a)(i) Basic amenities (any four): bad rural roads make evacuation of produce hard and costly; no electricity for processing and storage; no pipe-borne water or health care, so farmers are less productive; lack of schools and recreation drives youths to towns, reducing farm labour.
(ii) Farm inputs (any four): high cost/scarcity of fertilizers and agrochemicals lowers yields; few improved seeds and breeds; lack of machines forces use of crude tools; costly feeds and drugs for animals; inputs arrive late.
(b)(i) Tractor (any three): pulls ploughs, harrows and ridgers; drives machines through the PTO (sprayers, mowers, shellers); transports produce with a trailer; pumps water.
(ii) Bulldozer (any three): clears bush and fells trees; removes stumps; levels land; constructs farm roads, dams and ponds.
(c) Any four: check engine oil level; check radiator water; check tyre pressure; check fuel level; check battery water; grease moving parts; clean air cleaner; wash the tractor after use; check for leaks/loose bolts.
Four ways for each factor in (a).