(a) Highlight five roles of agricultural extension in agricultural development in West Africa. [5 marks]
(b) Outline four problems faced by agricultural extension workers in West Africa. [4 marks]
(c) Discuss the cultivation of groundnut under the following headings: (i) soil requirements (ii) method of propagation: (iii) two methods of storage [5 marks]
(d) Mention two field pests and two storage pests of maize. [4 marks] ,
Explanation
(a) Roles of agricultural extension in agricultural development in West Africa:
- Provides effective linkage between researchers and farmers.
- Serves as a two-way line of communication between policy makers (government) and farmers.
- Provides opportunity for farmers to adopt improved farming methods, techniques and innovations.
-Enables farmers to be aware of support services available to them including financial assistance /farm inputs.
- Helps farmers to become competent and confident to confront their farming problems at the individual level.
- Helps to supervise the beneficiaries of agricultural loans.
- Assists in the supervision and evaluation of agricultural development programmes.
- Helps farmers to identify better marketing channels to sell their farm produce.
- Helps to improve farmers' standard of living.
- Helps in collection and collation of basic information relating to rural programmes.
- Conducts and organises training for farmers/educate the farmers.
-Helps in the implementation of auxiliary programmes eg. formation of Cooperatives, Young Farmers' Club.
(b) Problems faced by agricultural extension workers in West Africa:
- Language barrier/communication challenges.
- Conservatism of farmers.
- Poor remuneration.
- Socio-cultural barriers/conflicting religious beliefs.
- Inadequate extension tools.
- Illiteracy of the farmers.
- Inadequate/poor transportation facilities.
- Inadequate extension workers.
(c) Discussion on the cultivation of groundnut:
(i) Soil requirements:
- Requires well drained/sandy loam soil.
- Requires soil rich in calcium and phosphorus.
(ii) Method of propagation:
- Propagated by seed.
(iii) Methods of storage:
- Dried unshelled groundnut seeds are packed into dry bags or sacks.
- Dried groundnut seeds can be stored in clean rhombus or silos.
- Dried clean pods are stored in baskets, pots or earthen bins or drums.
- Dried groundnut seeds can be stored in silos.
(d) Field pests and storage pests of maize:
Fieldpests:
- Grasshopper
- Stern borer
- Aphid
- Bird
- Termite
- Monkey
- Army worm
- Squirrel
- Silk worm.
Storage pests:
- Weevil
- Rat/ mouse.