Agriculture Form One Notes (Q&A)

FORM ONE TOPICS

1.      a).  What is Agriculture?                    

The art and Science of crop and livestock production.

       b).  State the roles played by agriculture in national development

-          Food supply

-          Source of raw materials for industries

-          Employment opportunities

-          Foreign exchange earnings

-          Source of capital for development

-          Market for industrial goods.

c).  State the forms of employment in Agriculture

i.        Primary employment

-    Working on farms

ii.      Secondary employment

-     In agriculture – based industries

iii.    Tertiary employment

-          In distribution of farm produce.

       d).  i)  Briefly outline the problems that have hindered agricultural development

      in Kenya.

-          Lack of capital for investment

-          Pests and diseases of crops and livestock

-          Unpredictable climatic conditions

-          Fluctuation of market prices

-          Inadequate or poor storage structure leading to heavy lose

-          Inadequate technical know-how

-          Population pressure hence over-use of land

-          Poor communication

-          Perishability

-          Bulky commodity prices

ii)  Suggest ways in which these problems can be alleviated

-          Proper food preservation

-          Improved communication network

-          Industries located near bulky products

-          Extension services/ advice

-          Provide good seeds

-          Credit facilities

-          Pest and disease control

-          Irrigation

-          Proper storage facilities

-          Government price control.

2.      a) i)  What are the characteristics of shifting cultivation?

-          Limited capital for investment

-          Use of rudimentary tools and equipment

-          Small land usually cultivated

-          Slash and burn technique of clearing

-          Crops not properly managed.

ii)  State the problems associated with shifting cultivation.

-          A wasteful method of farming

-          Slow rate of regeneration of vegetation allowing soil erosion to take place

-          No incentive to develop land

-          No permanent structures are put up hence a lot of time wasted in moving or travelling to the homestead

-          A lot of time wasted in moving from one place to another.

b)     What is pastoralism?

-          A major system of keeping livestock and moving with them from place of search of better pasture and water for livestock.

c)      State the factors to consider in choosing a type of farm

-          Type of enterprise itself

-          Environmental factors

-          Knowledge and skills of the farmer about the enterprise

-          Available resources e.g labour and capital

-          Cultural factors/ social factors

-          Governmental policy

-          Type of market he is producing for.

d)     What is arable farming?

-          Growing of crops only.

e)      i) State the limitations of mixed farming

-          The farmer will obtain sustainable income throughout the year

-          The farmer will never experience total loss

-          Animals contribute manure to crops while crops contribute/ provide crop residues fed to animals.

-          Labour is utilized efficiently throughout the year

-          Animals can be used to do work in the farm e.g oxen ploughing

      ii)  State the limitations of mixed farming

-          Lack of enough land for more enterprises

-          Lack of enough capital

-          Lack of specialisation.

f)       i) Give the types of farming practised by small scale farmers

-          Arable farming

-          Pastoralism

-          Mixed farming

ii)      Name the types of large scale farming

-          Plantations

-          Ranching

iii) Why does the Kenya government put a lot of emphasis on ranching?

-       Because arable land is becoming smaller

-       Ranching will lead to higher production of livestock to meet the high demand for meat

iv) State the common features of ranching as a farming system:

-       Done in marginal areas with poor pasture

-       System is extensive

-       Extension services provided

-       Improved pastures

-       Selective livestock breeding

-       High level livestock management.

g)   i)  State the advantages of plantation farming

-       Provision of employment

-       Revenue to government

-       High outputs

-       Foreign exchange earner

-       Economies of large scale production

-       Other activities done e.g processing.

ii)   State the disadvantages of plantations.

-       Overdependence on one enterprise

-       High initial capital required.

iii) State the major characteristics of plantation farming.

-       Most of the work is mechanised

-       Requires skilled and qualified personnel

-       Large tracts of land used

-       Sometimes run by a company or the government or individuals

-       The aim is to produce enough for local consumption and export market.

-       Provides a lot of employment

-       High output and quality of products

-       Enjoys the economies of large scale production

-       Scientific methods of farming used

-       High investments of capital.

3.      a)  List the ecological factors affecting agriculture.

-          Rainfall

-          Humidity

-          Soil

-          Temperature

-          Wind

-          Light

-          Topography

b)      Mention the aspects of rainfall which are important in crop production

-          Reliability

-          Distribution

-          Intensity of rainfall

-          Amount of rainfall

form one topics and lesson notes 2

b)      i)  What is optimal temperature?

-          Temperature at which plant growth is at its best.

ii) State the effects of temperature on crop production.

-          Photosynthesis

-          Respiration

-          Flowering and ripening

-          Quality of the products.

c)      State the effects of wind to crops.

-          Physical damage

-          Stress through evaporation / chilling

-          Spread of pests, weeds, diseases

-          Soil erosion

-          Increase of water and mineral uptake by increasing transpiration.

1.      a). i.  Define the term soil.

-          A collection of natural unconsolidated body covering the earth’s crust, where plants grow

ii).  Name the ways in which soil is important to growing plants.

-          Provides enchorage/ support for the plant

-          Provides nutrients

-          Provides moisture

b).  i)  State the factors which influence the soil forming process

-          Climatic factors e.g rainfall

-          Biotic factors e.g plants

-          Type of parent materials

-          Topography of land

-          Time taken by the process.

ii).  What biological agents influence the speed of the soil forming process?

-          Movement of animals in large groups

-          Man’s activities e.g cultivation, mining, road and railway construction.

-          Micro-organisms ie. Decomposing plant and animal remains and adding to soil

-          Earth worms, termites, moles etc mix up soil

-          Roots of higher plants force their way through the rock cracks and further break them physically.

c)      i)  Define the term soil Profile

-          The vertical arrangement of soil layers

ii)  How does soil profile influence plant growth?

-          Availability of plant nutrients

-          Anchorage of plant

-          Root penetration into soil

-          How long soil moisture/ its availability

-          Type of crop to be grown

d)     i) List the constituents of a fertile soil

-          Soil water

-          Soil air

-          Organic matter

-          Mineral salts

-          Living organisms.

ii) What role do micro-organisms play in soil?

-          Decompose dead organic remains and convert them into humus, a source of plant nutrients

-          Add nitrogen through nitrogen fixation.

e)      i) What is soil structure?

-          Aggregation of soil particles.

ii) State the farming practices that improve soil structure.

-          Addition of organic matter

-          Fallowing

-          Mixed cropping including cereals and legumes

-          Minimum tillage

-          Good crop rotation programme

-          Cultivation at right moisture content of soil

-          Liming.

iii) Why is a good soil structure desirable for growing crops.

-          Improves drainage and water infiltration.

-          Improves aeration

-          Minimises buildup of carbon dioxide in the soil which becomes toxic to crops and micro-organisms.

-          Facilitates better root penetration

-          Creates favourable conditions for activity of micro-organisms

-          Ensures adequate water retention for growing crops

-          It makes tillage easier.

f)       i) What is soil texture?

-          Proportion of different sizes of soil particles.

ii)      State the properties of soil that are influenced by its texture.

-          Aeration/ porosity

-          Drainage

-          Water holding capacity/ capillarity

-          Stickiness/ consistency

-          Cation exchange capacity / PH/ availability of nutrients

iii)    Give the types of soil based on texture.

-          Sandy soils

-          Clay soils

-          Loam soils

2.      a) State the advantages of using farm tools.

-          They make work easier i.e. increase working efficiency

-          Help to avoid drudgery

-          Timeliness of operations is achieved

-          Operations e.g. spraying to control pests and diseases are more exact hence effective

b)     List the factors that determine a farmer’s choice of tools and equipment.

-          Nature of work to be done

-          The financial status

-          Type of power used on the farm

-          Condition of land where the tool will be used.

c)      i) Why should tools and equipment to maintained well?

-          To reduce cost of repair/ replacement

-          To increase their durability/ last long

-          To increase work efficiency

-          Ensure safety of the user

-          To remain in good working order.

ii)  How should tools and equipment be maintained?

-          Store in sheds and racks

-          Clean and oil moving parts

-          Regularly sharpen cutting edges

-          Clean tools thoroughly after use

-          Keep metal parts rust free

-          Replace or repair broken/ wornout parts

-          Ensure there are no loose parts

-          Use tool for its intended purpose

-          Buy good quality tools and equipment

-          Always keep tools in good working condition

d)     List the safety precautions necessary for tools and equipment

-          Use the tool for its intended purpose

-          Sharp points should always point away from user/ people

-          Use protective clothing when working with tools

-          Always replace/ repair broken parts/ keep handles smooth

-          Handle delicate tools carefully/ store them safely.

e)      How is friction reduces in moving parts?

-          Apply oil

-          Apply grease

-          Generally lubricate moving parts

f)       Name the categories of farm tools and equipment.

-          Garden tools

-          Workshop tools

-          Livestock production tools

-          Masonery and plumbing tools

Agriculture form one topics and lesson notes 3

1.      a)  State the importance of land preparation.

-          Removal of weeds

-          Breaking the soil into smaller pieces

-          Mixing organic matter into soil/ bury crop aeration

-          Improve drainage/ water holding capacity

-          Destroy pests and disease causing organisms.

b) i) What is primary cultivation?

-          All operations carried cut in opening up land for crop promotion.

ii)  Which factors influence choice of tools for primary cultivation.

-          Type of soil

-          Availability of implements

-          Depth of ploughing

-          Type of tilth required

-          Condition of the land

-          Type of crop to be growth

-          Topography of the area

-          Financial ability of the farmer

-          Time remaining before planting

c)      i)  What is secondary cultivation?

-          Subsequent cultivation after primary cultivation to make seedbed fine and ready for planting.

ii)  Give reasons for secondary cultivation?

-          Removing weeds which have just germinated break soil into small clods

-          Make the field level

-          Mixing organic matter with soil

-          Make land ready for planting.

d)     i)  Define minimum tillage

-          To maintain soil structure

-          To reduce soil erosion

-          To reduce cost of seedbed preparation

-          To conserve soil moisture

-          To avoid damage to roots.

iii)  State reasons for practising minimum tillage.

-          Saves time

-          Reduces cost of production

-          Maintains soil structure/ controls soil erosion

-          Maintains soil moisture

e)      Name the factors that determine the number of tillage operations during seedbed preparation.

-          Implement used/ type of machinery used

-          The crop to be planted

-          Soil moisture

-          Initial condition of the land

-          Soil type/ soil condition

-          Skill of operator

-          Liability of soil to erosion/ topography

-          Capital available/ cost of operation

-          Time available for other operations.

2.      a)  List the sources of water on the farm.

-          Surface water

-          Rain water/ rainfall

-          Underground/ ground water

b)     How is water conveyed from one point to another?

-          Transporting in containers by vehicles/ animals/ human

-          Piping

-          Use of channels

c)      State how water is stored on a farm

-          Use of water tank/ container

-          Use of dam/ pond

d)     i)  Name the types of water pipes.

-          Metal pipes

-          Plastic pipes

-          Hose pipe

      ii)  Mention the types of metal pipe

-          Aluminium pipes

-          Galvanised iron pipes.

     iii)  What features are considered when buying plastic pipes?

-          Quality of material used for making the pipes

-          Size of the pipes i.e diameter/ length

-          Working pressure of the pipes.

e)      Name the types of water pumps to be used on the farm.

-          Centrifugal / rotodynamic

-          Semi-rotary

-          Piston/ reciprocating pumps

-          Hydram.

f)       i)  Why should water be treated before use?

-          Kill disease causing organisms

-          Remove chemical impurities

-          Remove bad smell and taste

-          Remove sediments and other solids.

ii)  State the methods of treating water on the farm.

-          Boiling

-          Chlorination/ chemicals

-          Aeration

-          Sedimentation/ decanting

-          Filtration

iii)  How is water used on the farm?

-          Domestic use e.g drinking, washing, cooking

-          Processing farm produce

-          Cooling farm engines

-          Solution of chemicals e.g

-          Livestock drinking

-          Washing animals and farm structures

-          Mixing with building materials e.g concrete, mud

-          Irrigation purposes

-          Operating grinding mill

-          Generating hydro-electric power

3.      a) i)  What is irrigation?

-          Artificial application of water to the soil for the purpose of supplying sufficient amount to crops.

          ii)  List the factors to consider in deciding to irrigate crops.

-          Type of soil

-          Capital availability

-          Types of crops to be grown

-          Source of water/ water availability/ rainfall pattern

-          Size o land to be irrigated

-          Profitability of irrigation.

       b) List the major types of irrigation

-          Overhead/ sprinkler

-          Sub-surface

-          Surface

-          Drip/ trickle

4.      a)  What is land reclamation?

-          The practice of putting unusable land into a form that can be used for agricultural production.

b)     State the importance of land reclamation

-          To make land agriculturally productive

-          To increase food production

-          To reduce population pressure/ pressure on land

-          To make uninhabitable areas habitable

c)      List the methods re

-          Draining swampy land

-          Irrigating dry land

-          Terracing steep land/ soil erosion

-          Afforestation/ reafforestation/ planting trees in wasteland

-          Control of tsetseflies

-          Deforestation/ bush clearance/ clearing forests.

Agriculture form one topics and lesson notes 4

1.      a)  i)  What are farm

-          For planning and making decision

-          Provide information for income tax assessment

-          To determine farmer’s credit worthiness/ for loans

-          Compare performance at different times

-          Compare performance of different enterprises

-          Compare performance of different farms

-          To solve disputes when farmer dies without a will

-          Provide history of the farm

-          Determine profits and losses

-          For partners to share profit losses or bonuses.

b)     List types of records kept on mixed farms.

-          Production records

-          Health records

-          Field operations

-          Feeding

-          Inventory

-          Breeding records

c)      List types of records kept by crop farmers.

-          Field operations

-          Marketing

-          Production

-          Labour

-          Inventory.

2.      a) i) What are livestock

-          domesticated animals

ii)  Give examples of livestock

-          Cattle, poultry, sheep, goat, pigs, bees, fish, donkey, camel

b) i) Explain the role of livestock in human life food supply.

-          Source of income

-          Raw materials for industry

-          Source of employment

-          Cultural uses e.g dowry, sacrifices, etc

-          Biological cooks e.g cocks

-          For sports and recreation.

ii)  List factors that affect livestock industry in Kenya.

-          Tradition and belief

-          Product/ input prices

-          Management

-          Capital

-          Selling prices marketing

-          Climatic conditions

-          Communication/ transport

-          Diseases and parasites.

c)  i) List dairy breeds of cattle

-          Friesian, Ayrshire, Guernsey, Jersey

ii)  State their characteristics.

-          Triangular shaped

Well attached udder

-          Little flesh on the body

Short, well set legs

-          Ling, thin neck

Feminine appearance

-          Wide spring of ribs

Long, thin tail.

d)     i)  Name beef cattle breeds.

-          Boran, Aberdean Angus, Hereford, Galloway, Charolais.

ii)  What are the characteristics of beef cattle.

-          Blocky/ squared/ rectangular shape

-          Low set/ have short legs

-          Have a fleshy body

-          Have short, thin necks

-          Smaller udders.

e)      Name the important rabbit breeds in Kenya.

-          Chinchilla, earlops, New Zealand, White, Kenya white, Californian Angora, Flemish giant.

f)       i)  Which is the common species of camel in Kenya?

-          Single humped/ dromedary

ii)  State the uses of camels

-          Milk production

-          Meat production

-          Provide leather, wool and

-          Transport people/ loads

ii)  State the general characteristics of camels.

-          Beast of burden

-          Provides meat, wool, milk and leather

-          Adapted to life in dry regions

-          Drink a lot of water

-          Resistant to most diseases.

g)      i) What is the reasons for keeping poultry?

-          For meat and egg production.

ii)      List the characteristics of broilers.

-          Have red waxy combs and wattles

-          Beak free from yellow pigmentation

-          Abdomen soft and pliable to touch

-          Good distance between pelvic bones and breastbone

-          Well developed bones

-          Bent is crescent shaped, moist and white in colour

-          Body is light

iii)       List the characteristics of broilers.

-          Heavier and bigger than layer

-          Grow very fast

-          Females lay very few eggs.

     

h)     Name the major breeds of sheep in Kenya and indicate the purpose they are kept for

-          Hampshire down for meat

-          Corriadace for multon and wool/ dual purpose

-          Romney Marsh which is dual purpose

-          Merino kept for wool

-          South Down for mutton

-          Locals e.g Black headed persia, Maasai sheep are kept for meat and skin production.

Agriculture form one topics and lesson notes 5

b)     Name important goat breeds and their uses

-          Dairy breeds are Toggenberg and saanen

-          Dual purpose are Boer, Nubian

-          Meat is Jamnapar

-          Meat and skin is small E. A goat

-          Wool/ fur is the Angora goat.

c)      Name important pig breeds kept in Kenya.

-          Large white

-          Saddleback

-          Landrace

-          Hampshire

d)     i)  Give the meanings of exotic and to indigenous breeds.

-          Exotic means imported breeds while indigenous means local breeds.

ii)      State the characteristics of exotic cattle that make them better suited to marginal areas than exotic cattle breeds.

-          Able to walk long distances in search of pasture and water

-          Tolerate high ambient temperatures

-          Tolerate tick-borne diseases.

iii)    What are the advantages of keeping a Jersey cow instead of Friesian for production of milk?

-          Can tolerate high temperatures

-          High butter fat content

-          Small size hence less food required

-          Can utilize poor pasture well.

e)      i) State the general characteristics of exotic cattle breeds.

-          No humps

-          Produce more milk

-          Easily attacked by tropical diseases

-          Susceptible to tropical heat

-          Cannot tolerate hardy areas

-          Early maturing

ii)  Give the characteristics of indigenous cattle

-          Are humped

-          Produce less milk

-          Good resistance to tropical diseases like East Coast Fever

-          Tolerate hardy areas

-          Can withstand tropical heat

-          Late maturing