SECTION B: AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE ESSAY QUESTIONS
Answer FOUR questions in all; ONE from each Course
AGR 001: Agronomy and Crop Production
Question 1
(a) Explain the term “rock weathering” [½ mark]
(b) State three types of rock weathering [1½ marks]
© Outline any five agents of rock weathering that lead to soil formation [5 marks]
(d) Write short notes on the following:
i. Soil texture
ii. Soil structure
iii. Soil organisms [3 marks]
Question 2
(a) In a tabular form, differentiate between photosynthesis and respiration [5 marks]
(b) i. State four uses of ornamental plants [2 marks]
ii. Give two examples of Ornamental trees and two Ornamental shrubs [3 marks]
AGR 002: Animal Science and Production
Question 3
(a) i. Define the term pasteurization [1 mark]
ii. State each four (4) economic importance of farm animal tails to man and animal [4 marks]
(b) With a well labelled diagram, explain the functions of poultry birds feather [5 marks]
Question 4
(a) Explain the term livestock parasite [4 marks]
(b) i. List four (4) economic importance of tapeworm in farm animals [4 marks]
ii. State two methods of controlling tapeworm in farm animals [2 marks]
AGR 003: Wildlife, Aquaculture and Agro-forestry
Question 5
Write short notes on any four of the following:
(a) Deforestation [2 marks]
(b) Regeneration [2 marks]
© Afforestation [2 marks]
(d) Selected exploitation [2 marks]
(e) Taungya system [2 marks]
Question 6
(a) i. Outline three (3) economic importance of aquaculture [3 marks]
ii. Give the three (3) broad divisions of agroforestry system [1½ marks]
(b) Enumerate four (4) reasons why we need to conserve our forest? [2 marks]
© Define the term ecotourism? [2 marks]
(d) Give three (3) methods you can employ in wildlife conservation. [1½ marks]
AGR 004: Agricultural Economics and Extension
Question 7
(a) Enumerate six (6) business objectives in farming. [3 marks]
(b) State two (2) characteristics each of perfect competition [1 mark]
© How does the following affect demand (i) advertising (ii) price of related goods [4 marks]
(d) Elucidate two (2) ways in which government can intervene in agriculture [2 marks]
Question 8
(a) Mention four (4) land tenure systems that you know [2 marks]
(b) State four (4) problems of effective agric extension program in Nigeria [2 marks]
© Enumerate four (4) problems that can be encountered in the marketing of agricultural produce [2 marks]
(d) Marketing of agricultural produce provides (i) place utility and (ii) time utility; explain [4 marks]
ANSWERS
AGR 001
Question 1
(a) Rock weathering is the breakdown/disintegration of rocks into smaller particles by physical, chemical, or biological processes.
(b) Types: Physical (mechanical) weathering, Chemical weathering, Biological weathering.
© Agents: Temperature (expansion/contraction causes cracking), Water (hydration, hydrolysis, freeze-thaw action), Wind (abrasion), Living organisms (roots and microbes release acids), Ice/frost action.
(d)
i. Soil texture — refers to the relative proportion of sand, silt, and clay particles in the soil, determining its coarseness or fineness.
ii. Soil structure — the arrangement/aggregation of soil particles into groups called peds/aggregates, affecting aeration and drainage.
iii. Soil organisms — living organisms (earthworms, bacteria, fungi, insects) that inhabit the soil and aid decomposition, aeration, and nutrient cycling.
Question 2
(a)
| Photosynthesis | Respiration |
|---|---|
| Occurs only in green plants (chlorophyll-containing cells) | Occurs in all living cells |
| Occurs only in the presence of light | Occurs continuously, day and night |
| Carbon dioxide and water are used as raw materials | Oxygen and glucose are used as raw materials |
| Oxygen is released | Carbon dioxide and water are released |
| Energy is stored (endothermic) | Energy is released (exothermic) |
(b)
i. Uses of ornamental plants: beautification of the environment, provision of shade, purification of air, source of income (sale of flowers/plants), landscaping/erosion control.
ii. Ornamental trees: Casuarina, Palm tree. Ornamental shrubs: Hibiscus, Bougainvillea.
AGR 002
Question 3
(a)
i. Pasteurization is the process of heating every particle of milk or milk products to a specific temperature for a specific period of time to destroy harmful microorganisms.
ii. Economic importance of farm animal tails: used for fly whisking (removing flies/insects), used for balance/movement, source of hair for brush-making, used in communication/signaling among animals.
(b) Functions of poultry feathers: provide insulation (regulate body temperature), enable flight, protect the skin from injury, aid in courtship/display, provide waterproofing.
(Diagram: a simple labelled feather showing the shaft/rachis, barbs, barbules, and quill should be included in the answer booklet.)
Question 4
(a) A livestock parasite is an organism that lives on or inside a farm animal (the host), deriving nourishment from it and often causing harm or disease to the host.
(b)
i. Economic importance of tapeworm: causes weight loss/poor growth in animals, reduces milk/meat production, can cause death in severe infestation, reduces reproductive efficiency.
ii. Control methods: regular deworming with anthelmintics, proper sanitation and hygiene of animal housing.
AGR 003
Question 5
(a) Deforestation — the clearing or destruction of forest trees/vegetation, usually for agriculture, logging, or settlement, without adequate replacement.
(b) Regeneration — the natural or artificial process by which a forest re-establishes itself after being cleared or damaged.
© Afforestation — the establishment of trees/forest on land that was not previously forested.
(d) Selected exploitation — a forest management method where only mature or specific trees are harvested, leaving others to grow, ensuring sustainable use.
(e) Taungya system — a forestry-farming method where farmers are allowed to cultivate food crops between young forest tree seedlings until the trees mature and shade out the crops.
Question 6
(a)
i. Economic importance of aquaculture: source of protein/food, provides income/employment, foreign exchange earnings through export.
ii. Broad divisions of agroforestry: Agrisilviculture, Silvopastoral, Agrosilvopastoral.
(b) Reasons for conserving forest: source of medicinal herbs, provision of raw materials for industries, habitat for wildlife, protection of the ecosystem/watershed.
© Ecotourism is a form of sustainable tourism that involves visiting natural areas to appreciate and conserve the environment while supporting local communities.
(d) Methods of wildlife conservation: establishment of game reserves/national parks, anti-poaching enforcement, regulated/controlled hunting.
AGR 004
Question 7
(a) Business objectives in farming: profit maximization, growth/expansion of the business, survival of the business, provision of employment, customer satisfaction, social responsibility.
(b) Characteristics of perfect competition: many buyers and sellers, homogeneous (identical) products.
©
i. Advertising increases demand for a product by creating awareness and influencing consumer preference, shifting the demand curve to the right.
ii. Price of related goods affects demand — for substitute goods, a rise in price of one increases demand for the other; for complementary goods, a rise in price of one reduces demand for the other.
(d) Government intervention in agriculture: provision of subsidies (fertilizer, inputs), price control/support schemes, provision of credit facilities, agricultural extension services.
Question 8
(a) Land tenure systems: communal land tenure, family land tenure, individual/freehold tenure, leasehold tenure.
(b) Problems of agric extension in Nigeria: inadequate funding, poor transportation/infrastructure, shortage of trained extension personnel, poor farmer-extension agent ratio.
© Problems in marketing agricultural produce: poor storage facilities (leading to spoilage), poor transportation/road network, price fluctuation, presence of too many middlemen.
(d)
i. Place utility — marketing moves produce from areas of production (surplus) to areas of need (demand), making it available where it is needed.
ii. Time utility — marketing involves storage of produce so it is available when needed, even outside the harvest/production season.