(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]
Explanation
(a)(i) Meaning of Agricultural Extension :
Agricultural extension is a non-formal educational system which assists farmers in improving farming techniques, increasing production efficiency and income and improving their standards of living. OR Agricultural extension is a process which assists , farmers through non-formal educational procedures in improving farming methods and techniques.
(ii) Demerits of Co-operative Societies
- Members sometimes divert subsidized inputs and -misapply farm credit
- The society may become a political tool and lose its focus
- Some co-operatives are also characterized by tribalism nepotism and favouritism
- There may be embezzlement/misappropriation of funds
- There may be problems/bottlenecks in loan acquisition
- It is prone to poor management
- It does not encourage individual enterprise
- High default rate in loan recovery
-There is a limit to the amount of money that can be accessed by farmers within a given period
(b)(i) Effects of rural-urban migration on agriculture
General rural labour shortage :
-Rural-urban migration has depleted the workforce in the rural areas
-Able-bodied young men and women migrate to the cities in search of white collar jobs
High Labour Cost:
-Rural-urban migration has resulted in high cost of labour due to shortage of labour
-The few available labour demand high wages because of shortage of labour.
Poor quality of labour :
-The few farm labour available are old and easily fatigued, resulting in reduced and poor quality output
-Due to migration of the able-bodied, the old ones left behind are too weak to work efficiently on farms
Decline in agricultural production:
-Decline in productivity leading to food insecurity
Poor adoption of agricultural innovation:
-Adoption of agricultural innovation decreases with age which is the case in the rural areas
Decrease in Gross Domestic Product:
-There is decrease in export crop production and hence a decrease in the contribution of agriculture to the gross domestic product (GDP)
Poor Rural Development:
-Agricultural productivity falls leading to decrease in income levels of rural folks. As a result, is poor rural development.
Poor Marketing of Agricultural Produce:
- Ageing and aged farmers find it difficult to cart produce from the farms to the marketing centres and are therefore forced to sell at cheap prices at the farm gate.
(ii) Ways by which the problems of rural- urban migration could be solved
-Provision of electricity in the rural areas
-Provision of health centres in the rural areas
-Provision of pipe-borne water in the rural areas
- Farm mechanization! tractor/equipment hiring units
-Better remuneration for farm labour
-Provision of good roads in the rural areas
-Provision of recreational facilities in rural areas
-Provision of market Provision of storage facilities
-Guaranteed minimum prices for farm produce should be introduced
-Provision of agricultural subsidy
-Provision of agricultural credit facilities
-Provision of irrigation facilities
-Provision of processing facilities
-Establishment of farm settlement schemes
-Provision of extension services
-Provision of schools for the farmers' children