(a) Discuss two possible solutions to each of the following problems of agricultural development in Africa:
(i) Poor transportation
(i) Environmental degradation
(ii) Use of crude farm tools.
(b) State three precautions that should be taken when using each of the following types of farm power:
(i) Animal power
(ii) Electrical power.
(c) Enumerate six reasons for maintaining farm tools and implements.
Explanation
(a) Possible solutions to problems of agricultural development in West Africa
(i) Poor transportation:
- Provision of good transport facilities/road/railway waterway
- Maintenance of existing roads
- Adequate motor vehicles should be provided for the evacúation of farm produce;
-Farmers' cooperative societies can purchase motor vehicles for transporting farm produce bs at lower cos,
-Cost of fuel for motor vehicles should be reduced
-High cost of transportation should be reduced
- Repair/maintenance services should be provided at a reduced cost.
(ii) Environmental degradation:
- Drainage ditches should be constructed to control flooding/ erosion control
- Irrigation facilities should be provided to farmers to mitigate against drought and inadequate rainfall
-Meteorological services should be provided to farmers to reduce weather hazards
-Government legislation against bush burning to prevent fire disaster
- Prevention of deforestation
(ii) Use of crude farm tools:
-Local fabrication of farm machines and implements should be encouraged;
- Tractor hiring services should be provided at an affordable cost to enhance mechanization;
- Modern farm implements should be provided to farmers at subsidized rates;
- Farmers' cooperative societies can purchase farm machines for farmers' use;
- Establishment of farm mechanization training centres.
(b) Precautions that should be taken when using each of the following: Types of farm power
(i) Animal power
- Animals should be properly handled to prevent aggression;
- A muzzle should be fixed in the animal's mouth;
- Animals should be used in the morning or evening when the weather is cool;
- Healthy animals should be used;
- Animals should not be overworked;
-Animals should be well fed;
- Remove sharp horn points to avoid sustaining an injury from animals
(ii) Electrical power
- Uninsulated live cable should not be touched with bare hands/wear protective gloves when handling electricity;
- Rectify electrical faults immediately;
-Faulty equipment/appliances should be repaired before use;
- Voltage regulators should be used to protect equipment from damage caused by power fluctuations;
- Switch off all electrical appliances when not in use;
- Take safety precautions when using electrical appliances.
(c) Reasons for maintaining farm tools and implements:
-To keep them in the best working condition
- Reduce cost/frequency of replacements Reduce drudgery from working with blunt/bad implements
- Reduce hazards/injury/accident from broken implements while being operated/to ensure safety
- Reduces food contamination resulting from the use of rusted/dirty tools and implements
- Increase/ extend their useful life/last longer/durability
- Prevent rusting/deterioration of parts/damage
- For efficiency