2024 WAEC GCE SECOND SERIES (NOVEMBER) AGRICULTURE: 2024 WAEC GCE Second Series (November) Agriculture (Agric) Verified Answers (9831)

(1ai) Finance: 

(i) The lack of credit facilities or the high interest rates on available loans can hinder farmers from purchasing essential inputs

(ii) Inssuficient allocation of funds by the governments and private sectors to support agricultural development

(iii) Unequal Distribution of Financial Resources can hinder the development of agriculture

(iv) Unpredictable weather conditions or pest infestations may make financial institutions hesitant to provide loans to farmers

(1aii) Storage Facilities:

(i) Insufficient storage infrastructure, such as warehouses and cold storage facilities.

(ii) Lack of modern storage technologies, such as climate-controlled storage and efficient packaging methods 

(iii) Inefficient transportation systems make it challenging to transport agricultural produce from farms to storage facilities and markets quickly.

(iv) Limited access to markets may discourage investments in quality storage facilities that could enhance the value and marketability of their goods.

(1bi)

Farm planning is the process of systematically organizing and managing various aspects of agricultural activities to achieve specific goals. It involves making informed decisions about resource allocation, production methods, and overall farm management. 

(1bii)

PICK ANY FOUR)

(i) Topography

(ii) Soil type

(iii) Climate 'copied from e x p o c o d e . n e t free' condition

(iv) Nearness to market

(v) Financial resources

(vi) Labor and Skill Availability

(1c)

(i) Farm planning optimizes resource allocation and enhances efficiency in agricultural activities.

(ii) It helps farmers make informed decisions on crop selection and land use based on land suitability assessments.

(iii) By considering financial requirements and budgeting, farm planning ensures proper financing for various farming needs.

(iv) Understanding climatic conditions through farm planning allows for timely and strategic decisions on planting, irrigation, and harvesting.

(v) Market research and access considerations in farm planning enable farmers to align production with market demands, increasing profitability.

(vi) Incorporating sustainability practices in farm planning promotes long-term environmental balance and enhances the overall resilience of the farm ecosystem

(2ai)
Symbiotic Nitrogen Fixation:
(i) Through the association of leguminous plants with nitrogen-fixing bacteria in root nodules.
(ii) Through the association of non-leguminous plants with nitrogen-fixing bacteria in specialized structures.

(2aii)
Electrical Discharge:
(i) Through lightning strikes, which convert atmospheric nitrogen into nitrate or nitrite.
(ii) Through electrochemical reactions in the soil, converting atmospheric nitrogen into ammonium ions.

(2aiii)
Ammonification:
(i) Through the decomposition of organic matter by soil microorganisms, releasing ammonium ions.
(ii) Through the breakdown of proteins and urea present in animal waste, releasing ammonium ions.

(2bi)
Monocotyledonous crops have a single seed leaf while dicotyledonous crops have two seed leaves.

(2bii)
(I) Monocotyledonous crops:
(i) Rice
(ii) Corn
(iii) Wheat

(II) Dicotyledonous crops:
(i) Soybean
(ii) Cotton
(iii) Tomato

(2c)
(PICK FOUR ONLY)
(i) Excessive use of synthetic fertilizers.
(ii) Overgrazing by livestock.
(iii) Deforestation and land clearing.
(iv) Poor irrigation and water management practices.
(v) Improper crop rotation and monoculture planting.
(vi) Soil erosion due to improper tilling and land management.
(vii) Heavy pesticide and herbicide use.
(viii) Inadequate waste management and disposal of agricultural by-products.

(3a)

(i) Green Manure:

Green manure refers to crops or plants, such as legumes or cover crops, grown and plowed into the soil while still green, adding organic matter, improving soil structure, and enhancing nutrient content.

(ii) Farmyard Manure:

Farmyard manure consists of organic materials like animal dung, bedding, and other farm residues that undergo decomposition, providing essential nutrients and improving soil fertility when applied to farmland.

(iii) Compost:

Compost is a type of organic manure produced through the decomposition of organic waste materials, including kitchen scraps and plant residues, resulting in a nutrient-rich, humus-like material that improves soil structure and fertility.

(3bi) Advantages of Mixed Farming:

(PICK ANY THREE)

(i) Diversification of Income Sources.

(ii) Enhanced Nutrient Cycling and Soil Fertility.

(iii) Risk Reduction through Crop-Livestock Integration.

(iv) Efficient Utilization of Resources.

(v) Increased Resilience to Market Fluctuations.

(3bii) Disadvantages of Mixed Farming:

(PICK ANY THREE)

(i) Complexity in Management and Planning.

(ii) Potential for Disease Transmission Between Crops and Livestock.

(iii) Competition for Limited Resources.

(iv) Skill Intensiveness in Managing Different Enterprises.

(v) Market Risks Associated with Varied Agricultural 'copied from e x p o c o d e . n e t free' Products.

(3ci)

Fishery regulations are rules and guidelines established by government authorities to manage and control fishing activities, ensuring sustainable exploitation of fishery resources and conservation of aquatic ecosystems.

(3cii) 

(PICK ANY FOUR)

(i) Ban on the use of toxic chemicals/poisons

(ii) Landing tax is paid based on the total catch and sizes of fish at landing sites

(iii) Fishing areas are allocated to individual fishermen so as to curb indiscriminate interference within the large fishing areas

(iv) No vessels (except canoes) shall fish within the first two nautical miles of the territorial waters a country's continental shelf

(v) No person shall operate or navigate any motorised fishing boat within the territorial water of other country unless a license in respect of that vessel has been issued

(vi) Identified breeding section of water is normally restricted from fishing

(vii) Fishing activities is restricted during rainy season

(viii) The use of prescribed mesh size in fishing to protect young fish

(ix) Ban on the discharge of pollutants or toxic materials into a country's terririal water

(x) Ban on the use of explosives in fishing except for the purpose of research

(xi) Ban on the use of electric fishing except for the purpose of research

(xii) Coastal areas to be constantly under surveillance to restrict foreign vessels from 'copied from e x p o c o d e . n e t free' exploitation

(5ai)
(PICK ONE)
(i)Artificial insemination is a reproductive technique that involves the deliberate introduction of semen from a male animal into the reproductive tract of a female animal using techniques other than natural mating.

(ii)Artificial insemination is a reproductive technique that involves introducing sperm into a female’s reproductive tract to achieve pregnancy.

(5aii)
(PICK ANY FIVE)
(i)Potential introduction of infections during the process.
(ii)Requires trained personnel for proper handling and execution.
(iii)Initial setup costs for equipment and facilities can be high.
(iv)Emotional stress due to repeated attempts
(v)Overuse of certain high-performing donors can reduce genetic diversity.
(vi)may not always guarantee conception.

(5b)
(PICK ANY FIVE)
(i)Smallholder Farmers
(ii)Large-scale Farmers
(iii)Cooperatives and Farmer Groups
(iv)Rural Communities
(v)Women in Agriculture
(vi)Youth in Agriculture

(5ci)
(PICK ANY TWO)
(i)Ponds and Lakes
(ii)Rivers and Streams
(iii)Wells and Boreholes
(iv)Watering Troughs or Tanks

(5cii)
(PICK ANY FOUR)
(i)It aids in the breakdown of food, facilitating digestion and nutrient absorption.
(ii)Water helps regulate body temperature in livestock
(iii)It plays a role in various metabolic processes within the animal’s body.
(iv)It essential for lactating animals to produce sufficient milk for their young.
(v)Water is vital for proper hydration

(6ai) 

Agricultural insurance is a risk management tool that provides financial protection to farmers against losses arising from natural disasters, pests, diseases, or other unforeseen events affecting crop or livestock production.

(6aii)

(PICK ANY FIVE)

(i) Limited Awareness and Understanding.

(ii) Inadequate Data for Risk Assessment.

(iii) High Premium Costs.

(iv) Insufficient Insurance Products Tailored to Smallholder Farmers.

(v) Lack of Trust in Insurance Institutions.

(vi) Government Involvement and Policy Support.

(vii) Climate change and unpredictable weather patterns

(6bi) Increase in Income of Consumers:

(PICK ANY ONE)

(i) Demand is Likely to increase as consumers have higher purchasing power.

(ii) Supply may increase due to higher profitability, encouraging more sweet potato cultivation.

(6bii) High Cost of Farm Inputs:

(PICK ANY ONE)

(i) Demand may decrease as production costs rise, reducing consumer affordability.

(ii) Supply may decrease as farmers face challenges in sustaining production with expensive inputs.

(6c)

(PICK ANY FOUR)

(i) Inadequate Crop Rotation.

(ii) Monoculture Farming Practices.

(iii) Poor Soil Health and Nutrient Imbalance.

(iv) Lack of Resistant Crop Varieties.

(v) Climatic Conditions Favorable to Pests.

(vi) Improper Storage and 'copied from e x p o c o d e . n e t free' Handling Practices.

(6d)

(PICK ANY THREE)

(i) Bacteria.

(ii) Antibiotics.

(iii) Chemical Residues

(iv) Mycotoxins