WAEC Agricultural Science 2011 Past Questions

(a) State three ways in which science and technology have contributed to agricultural 
development through each of the following: 
              (i)           Crop protection; 
              (ii)          Climatology and meteorology.                             [6 marks] 
(b) Give two functions of each of the following farm machines and implements: 
              (i)           bulldozer; 
              (ii)          combine harvester; 
              (iii)         tractor; 
              (iv)         sprayer;

                (v)           planter. -                                                      [10 marks]

(a) In a tabular form, list ten differences between subsistence agriculture and commercial agriculture. [10marks]
(b) State one advantage and one disadvantage of the following sources of farm power: 
                (i)           wind; 
                (ii)          internal combustion engine; 
                (iii)         electricity. [6 marks]

(a) What is soil consistency? 

(b) Explain how each of the following soil properties influences crop growth: 
          (i)        soil texture; [2 marks] 
(ii) soil pH. [4 marks]

(c) (i) List four methods by which soil fertility could be maintained. [2 marks] 
(ii) Explain two ways in which each of the methods listed in 3(c)(i) contributes 
to the maintenance of soil fertility. [8 marks] 

(a) (i) Define the term soil tillage. [2 marks] 
(ii) Distinguish between primary tillage and secondary tillage. [2 marks] 

(b) Outline three roles of each of the following soil management practices: 
(i) Green manuring; 
(ii) Mulching. [6 marks] 

(c) Give six reasons for carrying out irrigation in crop production. [6 marks]

(a)(i) Define vegetative propagation. [2 marks] 
(ii) Give three advantages and three disadvantages of vegetative propagation. [6 marks] 

(b) State four cultural methods used for controlling crop pests in the field. [4 marks] 

(c) Enumerate four harmful effects of chemical pest control. [4 marks] 

(a)  Distinguish between a field pest and a storage pest. [2 marks] 

 (b) Give two reasons for early harvesting of maize from the field. [2 marks] 

 (c) Describe each of the following methods of crop improvement: 
                              (i)              introduction; 
                              (ii)             cross breeding. [6 marks] 

 (d) List six factors that should be considered in selecting a crop variety for your locality. [6 marks]

(a) State four ways in which rangeland is important in livestock production. [4 marks] 
(b) If the recommended grazing area per cattle is 3m x 3m. Calculate in hectares the carrying capacity of the rangeland illustrated in the diagram below. [6 marks]

(c)           State two benefits of each of the following management practices in animal production: 
               (i)           dipping; 
               (ii)          vaccination; 
               (iii)         artificial insemination.                                                                                                        [6 marks]

(a) Give three advantages and three disadvantages of the deep litter system of poultry management. [6 marks]

(b)   State three reasons for carrying out each of the following animal husbandry practices: 
  (i)   castration of goats;
(ii) creep feeding of pigs.                                                                                                         [6 marks]

(c) Name four local breeds of cattle reared in West Africa.                                            [4marks] 

(a)   (i)          Explain the term/arm credit. 
       (ii)          List five sources of farm credit. 

(b) An outbreak of a strange poultry disease is reported in your community. 
There is a possibility of the disease spreading to other parts of the country. 
        (i)  Mention the three main extension teaching methods that could be used to create awareness among farmers about the disease.  [3 marks] 
        (ii) Which of the main extension teaching methods is most appropriate for creating awareness about the disease outbreak?  [1 mark] 
         (iii) Give two reasons for your choice of extension teaching method in 9(b Xii). [2 marks] 
         (iv) Mention three problems that could be encountered in the use of the selected extension teaching method. (3 marks)

(a) (i) What is agricultural extension? [2 marks] 
   (ii) State five demerits of co-operative societies.[5 marks] 

(b) (i) Discuss three effects of rural-urban migration on agriculture. [6 marks] 
(ii) Suggest three ways by which the problems of rural-urban migration could be solved [3 marks]