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(a) In a tabular form, state five differences between subsistence and commercial ...

(a) In a tabular form, state five differences between subsistence and commercial agricuiture (5marks)
(b) Suggest two possible solutions to each of the following problems of agricultural development an West Africa (i) Inadequate land (ii) Inadequate finance (iii) Incidence of diseases (6 marks)
(c) What is agricultural ecology? (2 marks)
(d) State five sources of pollution of agricultural lands and fish ponds. (5marks)
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    Correct Answer: Option n
    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

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