WAEC Agricultural Science 2019 past questions and answers

Which of the following statements best describes commercial farming?

1. A.Production of plants and animals for family consumption
2. B.Large scale agricultural production for sale
3. C.Large scale agricultural production for family consumption
4. D.Use of family labour for large scale agricultural production.

An advantage of communal land tenure system is that it

1. A.encourages use of land for permanent projects by individuals.
2. B.makes land cheap to acquire.
3. C.leads to fragmentation.
4. D.does not promote farm mechanization.

Which of the following implements is used for primary tillage?

1. A.Ridger
2. B.Cultivator
3. C.Plough
4. D.Harrow

The diagram below illustrates the use of a farm machinery.
A periodic maintenance activity carried out on the illustrated farm machinery is

1. A.checking the radiator water.
2. B.checking of tyre pressure.
3. C.changing of engine oil.
4. D.cleaning after use.

A disadvantage of farm mechanization is

1. A.efficiency in farming.
2. B.displacement of farm workers.
3. C.reduction in health hazards.
4. D.timeliness of farm operations.

Calculate in hectares the area of a rectangular farmland with dimensions 50 m by 25 m.

1. A.125 ha
2. B.12.5 ha
3. C.1.25 ha
4. D.0.125ha

The practice of measuring and mapping out the size, position and boundary of a farmland is called farm

1. A.layout.
2. B.business.
3. C.surveying.
4. D.tillage.

Which of the following statements about land is not correct?

1. A.Its supply is limited
2. B.It is used for agricultural production
3. C.It is subject to depreciation
4. D.It can be relocated

A socio-cultural factor affecting land availability is

1. A.soil type.
2. B.religion.
3. C.topography.
4. D.mining.

A biotic factor affecting agricultural production is

1. A.rainfall.
2. B.predator.
3. C.humidity.
4. D.temperature.

Which of the following groups of organisms are parasitic plants?

1. A.Nematode, fungus and bacterium
2. B.Striga, nematode and dodder
3. C.Dodder, fungus and striga
4. D.Mistletoe, fungus and bacterium

The type of rock formed from accumulation of materials transported by water is called

1. A.sedimentary rock.
2. B.igneous rock.
3. C.metamorphic rock.
4. D.plutonic rock.

A fresh garden soil sample weighed 25 kg. When oven-dried, its weight reduced to 20 kg. Calculate the percentage moisture content of the soil sample.

1. A.5.0%
2. B.12.5%
3. C.20.0%
4. D.25.0%

The diagram below illustrates a soil profile.
The soil horizon that is not supportive of the growth of tree crops is

1. A.horizon A.
2. B.horizon B.
3. C.horizon C.
4. D.horizon D.

Liquid fertilizers and pesticides could be applied through

1. A.furrow irrigation.
2. B.channel irrigation.
3. C.sprinkler irrigation.
4. D.flood irrigation.

In a crop rotation system it is usually preferred that cassava comes last in the rotation because it

1. A.adds nitrogen to the soil.
2. B.is a shallow feeder.
3. C.is a deep rooted crop.
4. D.is a perennial crop.

The growing of only one crop on a piece of land from year to year is known as

1. A.mixed cropping.
2. B.crop rotation.
3. C.monoculture.
4. D.shifting cultivation.

In green manuring, crops are ploughed into the soil just before flowering in order to

1. A.control soil pathogens.
2. B.enrich the soil with nutrients.
3. C.control soil erosion.
4. D.increase the soil temperature.

A planting material used in propagating plantain is the

1. A.crown.
2. B.peeper.
3. C.slip.
4. D.leaf.

If maize seed is sown at a spacing of 100 cm × 50 cm, determine the expected maize plant population per hectare.

1. A.40,000
2. B.20,000
3. C.5,000
4. D.2,000

Protective functions of forests include the following except

1. A.soil conservation.
2. B.serving as windbreak.
3. C.purification of air.
4. D.source of firewood.

The growing of both trees and arable crops on the same piece of land is

1. A.ley farming.
2. B.mixed farming.
3. C.forestry.
4. D.taungya system.

Sexual propagation of ornamental plants involves the use of

1. A.stems.
2. B.seeds.
3. C.suckers.
4. D.rhizomes.

The vector of leaf curl disease of cotton is

1. A.grasshopper.
2. B.termites.
3. C.thrips.
4. D.white fly.

A major storage pest of cereals in West Africa is

1. A.stem borer.
2. B.weevil.
3. C.bird.
4. D.army worm.

Biological control of insect-pests of crops is carried out through

1. A.crop rotation.
2. B.use of predators.
3. C.use of pesticides.
4. D.farm sanitation.

Which of the following breeds of cattle is exotic?

1. A.Sokoto Gudali
2. B.Ndama
3. C.Friesian
4. D.Muturu

Study the diagram below.
The diagram represents the digestive system of a

1. A.buck.
2. B.cock.
3. C.bull.
4. D.sow.

Which of the following hormones is responsible for oestrus in farm animals?

1. A.Oxytocin
2. B.Oestrogen
3. C.Prolactin
4. D.Progesterone

In animal production, immature spermatozoa are stored in the

1. A.urethra.
2. B.scrotum.
3. C.epididymis.
4. D.prostate gland.

The least important factor for successful incubation of eggs is

1. A.light.
2. B.temperature.
3. C.ventilation.
4. D.humidity.

A wallow should be provided in the pen of pigs in order to

1. A.reduce the feed intake of pigs.
2. B.increase the water intake of pigs.
3. C.enable the pigs to swim.
4. D.cool the temperature of pigs.

Bone meal is usually included in the diet of livestock to supply

1. A.calcium and phosphorus.
2. B.calcium and iodine.
3. C.phosphorus and iron.
4. D.magnesium and sodium.

Which of the following statements about inbreeding in farm animals is/are false?
I. Inbred animals reach market weight early
II. Inbred animals have reduced vigour
III. Inbreeding increases the occurrence of undesirable traits

1. A.I only
2. B.II only
3. C.I and II only
4. D.I and III only

Which of the following parasites may be found in the gut of livestock?

1. A.Tick
2. B.Flea
3. C.Roundworm
4. D.Louse

Vegetative growth in fish ponds

1. A.makes fish movement easy.
2. B.regulates water acidity.
3. C.increases pond water turbidity.
4. D.moderates pond temperature.

Which of the following factors of agricultural production is abundant in rural areas?

1. A.Enterprise
2. B.Land
3. C.Labour
4. D.Capital

Study the graph illustrated below.
The graph best

1. A.shows an increase in the supply of rice.
2. B.describes a shift in the demand for rice.
3. C.describes the equilibrium price for rice.
4. D.shows that the demand for rice exceeds supply.

Study the graph illustrated below.
What is the change in quantity of rice demanded when the price increases from N1.00 to N5.00?

1. A.8kg
2. B.6kg
3. C.4kg
4. D.2kg

Study the graph illustrated below.
Determine the equilibrium price of rice.

1. A.N1.00
2. B.N2.00
3. C.N3.00
4. D.N4.00

A major characteristic of mass teaching method of agricultural extension is that

1. A.information can be directed to a large number of people at different locations.
2. B.it demonstrates how to carry out new techniques to farmers in the same locality.
3. C.feedback is readily available to extension officers.
4. D.it summarizes and analyses what had been done in previous learning situations.

(a) Explain four roles of government in agricultural development under the following headings: (i) pest and disease control; (ii) marketing of agricultural produce.
(b) Give four general problems of land tenure system in agricultural development in West Africa.
(c) List three farm machinery and three farm implements. Farm machinery: (i) ____ (ii) ____ (iii) ____ Farm implements: (i) ____ (ii) ____ (iii) ____

(a) Complete the table below: for each of the weeds goat weed, siam weed and water leaf, give its botanical name and method of dispersal.
(b) List three examples of each of the following factors affecting land availability for agriculture: (i) physical factors; (ii) economic factors.
(c) Enumerate four effects of pollution on agricultural lands and ponds.
(d) State two ways of minimizing land and pond pollution.

(a) Using the table below, classify the following crops based on their life cycle: Mango, Rice, Groundnut, Cotton, Pepper, Soya bean, Oil palm, Yam, Tomato, Rubber, Ginger, Cocoa, Cowpea, Carrot.
(b) List four components of a typical soil with their percentage volume. (Soil component — Percentage volume: (i) to (iv))
(c) State three methods of applying inorganic fertilizers to the soil.

(a) Distinguish between spacing and thinning in crop production.
(b) Discuss the cultivation of oil palm under the following headings: (i) botanical name; (ii) two varieties; (iii) method of propagation; (iv) soil requirement; (v) spacing on the field; (vi) two diseases.
(c) Enumerate six ways in which forest resources are important to the economy of West Africa.
(d) What is apiculture?

(a) Explain each of the following terms as used in animal production: (i) flushing; (ii) castration; (iii) culling.
(b) Mention two advantages of each of the terms in 5(a). (i) Flushing; (ii) Castration; (iii) Culling.
(c) Give two uses of each of the following survey equipment: (i) prismatic compass; (ii) measuring tape.
(d) Differentiate between the terms floriculture and aquaculture.

(a) A farmer purchased a tractor in the year 2000 for D12,000.00. In 2009, the tractor was sold for D3,000.00 as it was no longer economical to keep. Calculate the: (i) useful life of the tractor; (ii) salvage value of the tractor; (iii) total depreciation of the tractor; (iv) annual depreciation of the tractor.
(b) Describe the following terms as used in agricultural economics: (i) demand schedule; (ii) supply curve.
(c) List four agricultural extension agencies in West Africa.
(d) State four ways through which soils are enriched with nitrogen.