SECTION B: ESSAY QUESTIONS
Answer FOUR questions in all; ONE Question from each Course
AGR 001: Agronomy and Crop Production
Question 1
(a). Define the term soil structure and state its importance in agricultural production. [4 marks]
(b) i. What is rock weathering? [½ mark]
ii. Enumerate three processes in rock weathering and discuss briefly any four agents of these processes. [5½ marks]
Question 2
(a) Explain four factors of soil formation. [4 marks]
(b) List four ways of maintaining soil organic matter. [2 marks]
© State four functions and two deficiency symptoms of Nitrogen in plants. [4 marks]
AGR 002: Animal Science and Production
Question 3
(a) State and explain five (5) qualities of feed stuff that should be considered when compounding livestock feed. [7½ marks]
(b) Using a Pearson Square method, prepare a ration of 2,500kcal/kg for rabbit (grower) using molasses and soya bean meal, given that molasses give 1,900kcal/kg and soya bean 3,500kcal/kg. [2½ marks]
Question 4
(a) What is feed digestibility coefficient? [2 marks]
(b) A cow ate 1kg of fresh Elephant grass containing 0.3kg of dry matter (DM). It excreted 0.5kg of faeces containing 0.1kg of dry matter (DM). Calculate the digestibility coefficient of the crude protein (CP) given that:
| Component | Grass (%) | Faeces (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Crude Fibre (CF) | 30 | 35 |
| Crude Protein (CP) | 10 | 8 |
| Ether Extract (EE) | 7 | 6 |
| Nitrogen Free Extract (NFE) | 46 | 42 |
[8 marks]
AGR 003: Wildlife, Aquaculture and Agro-forestry
Question 5
(a) (i) Highlight four (4) methods of maintaining fish pond. [2 marks]
(ii) Explain three (3) factors necessary for siting fish pond. [3 marks]
(iii) State two (2) examples each of salt and fresh water fishes. [2 marks]
(b) Write short notes on the following:
(i) Distribution channel
(ii) Monk
(iii) Screens [3 marks]
Question 6
(a) (i) Define the term agroforestry. [1 mark]
(ii) In a tabular form, mention four (4) scientific and common names of agroforestry tree species. [4 marks]
(b) Differentiate between the following:
(i) Agrosilvipastoralism and agrosilviaquaculture.
(ii) Agrosilviheliculture and agrosilvimycology. [4 marks]
© State two advantages of agroforestry in agriculture. [1 mark]
AGR 004: Agricultural Economics/Extension
Question 7
(a) What is farm management? [1 mark]
(b) Explain clearly the human and institutional sources of risks in farm business. [4 marks]
© State five ways by which risks can be reduced in farming business. [5 marks]
Question 8
(a) What do you understand by the term marketing in agriculture? [1 mark]
(b) State five differences between perfect and imperfect competition in marketing. [4 marks]
© List four problems associated with marketing of farm produce in Nigeria. [5 marks]
ANSWERS
AGR 001
Question 1
(a) Soil structure is the arrangement/aggregation of soil particles (sand, silt, clay) into groups called peds/aggregates. Importance: determines aeration, water infiltration/retention, root penetration, nutrient availability, and drainage.
(b) i. Rock weathering is the breakdown/disintegration of rocks into smaller particles by physical, chemical, or biological processes.
ii. Three processes: Physical (mechanical) weathering, Chemical weathering, Biological weathering.
Four agents: Temperature (expansion/contraction causes cracking), Water (hydration, hydrolysis, freeze-thaw action), Wind (abrasion of rock surfaces), Living organisms (roots and microbes release acids that break down rock).
Question 2
(a) Parent material, Climate, Living organisms, Topography/relief, Time.
(b) Application of manure/compost, crop rotation with legumes, mulching, minimum/zero tillage.
© Functions: promotes leafy/vegetative growth, component of protein, component of chlorophyll, aids enzyme and nucleic acid formation.
Deficiency symptoms: chlorosis (yellowing) of older leaves, stunted growth.
AGR 002
Question 3
(a) Palatability, Digestibility, Nutrient content/composition, Availability and cost, Absence of toxins/anti-nutritional factors.
(b) Pearson Square:
- Soya bean portion = 2,500 − 1,900 = 600
- Molasses portion = 3,500 − 2,500 = 1,000
- Total parts = 1,600
- % Molasses = 1,000/1,600 × 100 = 62.5%
- % Soya bean = 600/1,600 × 100 = 37.5%
Question 4
(a) Feed digestibility coefficient is the proportion (%) of a feed nutrient absorbed by the animal (not excreted in faeces), indicating how digestible the feed is.
(b) Formula: DC (%) = [(Nutrient intake − Nutrient in faeces) / Nutrient intake] × 100
- CP intake = 0.3kg × 10% = 0.03kg
- CP in faeces = 0.1kg × 8% = 0.008kg
- DC(CP) = (0.03 − 0.008)/0.03 × 100 ≈ 73.3%
AGR 003
Question 5
(a)(i) Regular water quality monitoring/exchange, removal of predators/weeds, liming of pond, proper feeding management, repair of pond dykes/screens.
(ii) Water supply (adequate, reliable, year-round), Soil type (clay retains water and prevents seepage), Topography (gentle slope allows easy drainage/water flow).
(iii) Salt water fishes: Tuna, Mackerel. Fresh water fishes: Tilapia, Catfish.
(b)
(i) Distribution channel — the outlet/pipe through which water flows out of a pond, fitted with a control device to regulate outflow.
(ii) Monk — a wooden/concrete water control structure built at the pond’s outlet, used to regulate water level and drain the pond.
(iii) Screens — wire mesh/netting fitted at the inlet/outlet of a pond to prevent fish escape and block entry of predators.
Question 6
(a)(i) Agroforestry is a land-use system that combines the growing of trees/shrubs with crops and/or livestock on the same land, simultaneously or sequentially.
(ii)
| Scientific Name | Common Name |
|---|---|
| Gliricidia sepium | Gliricidia |
| Leucaena leucocephala | Leucaena |
| Faidherbia albida | Acacia |
| Parkia biglobosa | Locust bean tree |
(b)(i) Agrosilvipastoralism combines trees, crops, and livestock on the same land, while agrosilviaquaculture combines trees/crops with fish farming.
(ii) Agrosilviheliculture combines trees/crops with bee-keeping, while agrosilvimycology combines trees/crops with mushroom cultivation.
© Improves soil fertility (through nitrogen fixation and leaf litter), controls soil erosion.
AGR 004
Question 7
(a) Farm management is the process of organizing and administering a farm business — planning, decision-making, and controlling resources (land, labour, capital) to achieve maximum profit/efficiency.
(b) Human sources: illness/death of farmer or workers, theft, labour strikes, poor management decisions, family disputes.
Institutional sources: changes in government policy, taxation, price controls, credit/loan restrictions, unstable market institutions.
© Diversification (multiple crops/enterprises), Insurance, Contract farming/forward selling, Use of improved/disease-resistant varieties, Proper record keeping and forecasting.
Question 8
(a) Marketing in agriculture is all activities involved in moving farm produce from the point of production to the final consumer — assembling, processing, storage, transportation, and sale.
(b)
| Perfect Competition | Imperfect Competition |
|---|---|
| Many buyers and sellers | Few buyers/sellers |
| Homogeneous products | Differentiated products |
| Free entry and exit | Restricted entry |
| Sellers are price takers | Sellers can influence price |
| Perfect market information | Imperfect/limited information |
© Poor road/transport network, inadequate storage facilities (leading to spoilage), price fluctuation/instability, presence of too many middlemen.