(a) State four benefits of agriculture to the economy of West African countries. [4marks]
{b). Enumerate four functions of agro-service centres in your country [4marks]
(c) Outline four routine tractor maintenance practices. [4marks]
(d) State two functions of each of the following parts of the farm tractor (i) three-point linkage (ii)hydraulic lever[4marks]
Explanation
(a)(i) Benefit of agriculture to the economy of West African countries:
provision of food for humans
Supply of raw materials for industries
provision of income to farmers
provision of feeds for livestock
provision of foreign exchange
promotion of tourism through conservation of wildlife and flora
- Provision materials for shelter/housing
- Provision of employment
- Creation of market for farm inputs, tools, equipment
-Promotion of rural development
(b) Functions of agro-service centres
- Repair/maintain agricultural tools, machines and equipment
- Supply farmers with seeds and fertilizers
- Provide technical/extension services in agriculture to needy farmers
- Supply of spare parts of agricultural tools, machines and equipment
- Supply of vaccines/drugs to farmers for disease control
- Supply farmers with agrochemicals for weed and pest control
- Provide inputs at subsidized rates to farmers
(c)Routine tractor maintenance practices:
- Check engine oil and top if necessary
- Check water level and top if necessary
- Grease kingpins, three - point linkage and steering joints/moving parts
- Check and clean air cleaner if necessary
- Check and replenish battery electrolyte if necessary
- Change engine oil periodically
- Check and adjust fan belt if necessary
- Change fuel filters periodically
- Service fuel injector periodically
- Check radiator water level and top if necessary
- Clean the tractor after use
- Park the tractor in the shed when not in use
- Change oil filter periodically
(d) Functions of parts of the tractor :
(i) Three – point linkage
- Point of attachment for coupled implements
- Allows the raising and lowering of implements
- Regulates the depth and variation of thrust/depth of plough according to
soil conditions
- Helps to maintain a constant draught/force
- Helps in the transfer of weight to the rear wheels of the tractor
(ii) Hydraulic lever
- Controls the raising and lowering of implements
- Controls lowering and holding of an implement to a pre-determined
position
- Operates external hydraulic equipment, such as tipping trailer and
loaders
- Used to control above-the-ground implements such as mowers.