2016 WAEC Agricultural Science Theory (a) In a tabular form, state five differences between subsistence and commercial agricuiture (5marks) (b)…

Explanation

(a) Difference between subsistence agriculture and commercial agriculture 

Subsistence Agriculture

• Production is mainly for family consumption
• Less capital is required
• Uses family labour/unskilled labour
• Use of local breeds of animals
• Use of local crop varieties
• Hardly use agro-chemicals/Cultural methods are used to control pests and diseases
• Records are rarely kept Use of primitive/local tools
• Poor housing facilities for rearing animals
• Peasant farmers are involved
• Doer not require improved processing facilities
• Does not involve any marketing Uses crude storage facilities
• Yield per unit area is low
• Food crops are produced
• Small area of land is cultivated
• Use of inorganic fertilizers is limited 

Commercial Agriculture 

• Production is mainly for sale
• Huge amount of capital is required
• Skilled/hired labour is employed
• Use of exotic/improved breeds of animals
• Use of improved crop varieties
• Mostly use agro-chemicals 
• Records are kept Mechanized/use of machines
• Modern housing facilities for rearing animals
• Farmers involved may be rich
• Requires improved processing facilities
• Requires organised market Uses modern storage facilities
• Yield per unit area is high
• Cash crops are produced
• Large area of land may be cultivated
• Frequent use of inorganic fertilizers 

(b) Possible solutions to each of the following problems of agricultural development in West Africa 
(i) Inadequate land:  
- Leasehold land tenure system should be encouraged to enable farmers to acquire land for temporary use 
- Land rates/rents should be reduced especially for agricultural purposes 
- Government laws on land use should be made favourable to enable farmers acquire land easily 
- Farmers should form co-operative societies to enable them pull their resources together to acquire large hectares of land for cultivation 
- Farm settlements should be established to facilitate acquisition of land by farmers 
- Creation of land banks 

(ii)Inadequate finance;  
- Agricultural banks should be established by the government to provide loans to farmers with minimum collateral 
- Farmers should form co-operative societies to enable them access credit facilities 
- Subsidies should be given to farmers by government/other agencies 
- Agricultural insurance scheme/policies should be made available to farmers 
- Commercial banks should be encouraged to give loans to farmers at low interest rates 
-Grants should be given to farmers either in cash or in kind 

(iii) Incidence of diseases 
- Diseases resistant varieties of crops and breeds of animals should be developed for farmers by government and research institutes 
- Plant protection chemicals and livestock drugs should be provided for farmers b government non-governmental agencies 
- Vaccines should be produced locally to prevent livestock diseases 
- Veterinary services should be provided to livestock farmers 
- Extension workers should assist farmers in the detection and control of crop and animal diseases 
- Cultural measures/practices used in controlling abiotic components of the environment crop diseases should be embraced by farmers

(c) Definition of Agricultural Ecology It is study of the relationships and interactions between crops and animals and their biotic and abiotic components of the environment

(d)(i) Sources of pollution of agricultural lands and fish ponds 
Oil spillage, Improper sewage disposal, Improper livestock waste disposal, Excessive application of pesticides, Excessive application of fertilizers, Excessive application of herbicides, Improper dumping of toxic wastes, Improper disposal of industrial waste/effluent