Agriculture Questions and Answers - Form 1 End Term 1 2021

AGRICULTURE
FORM 1
END TERM EXAM
TERM 1 2021

INSTRUCTIONS

• Answer all the questions

1. Give four aspects that entails agriculture as a science (2mks)
2. Name three branches of horticultural farming. (3mrks)
3. Outline four ways in which HIV/AIDS and general health influence agricultural production. (2mks)
4. State two ways in which transport and communication influence the level of agricultural production.(2mks)
5. List three biotic factors that influence agriculture negatively (3marks)
6. State four properties of sandy soil. (2mks)
7. Differentiate between extensive farming and intensive farming (2mks)
8. State two advantages of large scale farming (1mk)
9. Outline four advantages of practicing mixed farming (4mks)
10. Give four characteristics of shifting cultivation (4mks)
11.    
    1. What is organic farming? (1mk)
    2. State four reasons why farmers are encouraged to practice organic farming (2mks)
12. State the roles of agriculture in the economy of Kenya (6mks)
13. List four aspects of rainfall that affect agricultural production in Kenya (4mks)
14. State four ways in which temperature affects agricultural production (4mks)
15.    
    1. How does light intensity affect crop production? (1mk)
    2. Give five ways in which light intensity in a crop field can be increased. (5mks)
16. Describe four ways in which chemical processes influence soil formation (4mks)
17. Outline four factors that influence soil formation (4mks)
18. The diagram below illustration an investigation on property of soil using samples labeled J,K and L
    
    
    1. If the level of water drained into the test tubes were observed after two hours, name the property of soil being investigated (1mk)
    2. What is the relationship between this property of soil and the size of soil particles (1mk)
    3. Which soil sample will be suitable for growing paddy rice ? (1mk)
    4. Name the type of soil labeled (3mks)
       • J
       • K
       • L
    5. State three characteristics of soil J (3marks)
19. State five categories of farm tools and equipment (5 marks)

MARKING SCHEME

1. Give four aspects that entails agriculture as a science (2mks)
   • Entomology
   • Crop pathology
   • Soil science
   • Genetics and variation
   • Agricultural economics
   • Agricultural engineering (4x1/2)
2. Name three branches of horticultural farming. (3mrks)
   • Floriculture
   • Olericulture
   • Pomology (3x1/2)
3. Outline four ways in which HIV/AIDS and general health influence agricultural production. (2mks)
   • Shortage of labour – makes farm labour unavailable and expensive
   • Increased cost of living – low income and poor purchasing power
   • Low food supply – poverty sets in since less land is put under production by the affected and infected who grow weak.
   • Decline in agricultural activities – funds intended for improving agriculture are diverted to buy drugs to fight HIV/AIDS (4X1/2 = 2MKS)
4. State two ways in which transport and communication influence the level of agricultural production.(2mks)
   • Good and efficient transport system makes it easy to move farm produce from farms to markets
   • Perishable goods reach the markets in time, if transport system is efficient
   • Passing message through the modern technology makes the farmers and consumers get well informed in time (2x1=2mks)
5. List three biotic factors that influence agriculture negatively (3marks)
   • Pests
   • Parasites
   • Pathogens
   • Some predators (3x 1/2mks = 1 1/2)
6. State four properties of sandy soil. (2mks)
   • Has low water holding capacity
   • Low capillary
   • Large particles thus large air spaces
   • Are more prone to erosion than clay and loamy soil
   • Well drained (4x ½ = 2mks)
7. Differentiate between extensive farming and intensive farming (2mks)
   • Intensive Farming refers to an agricultural system, wherein there is high level use of labor and capital, in comparison to the land area. Extensive Farming is a farming technique, in which large farms are being cultivated, with relatively lower inputs, i.e. capital and labor.
     
8. State two advantages of large scale farming (1mk)
   • Enjoys the economies of scale
   • Creates employment as large labour force is employed
   • it generates foreign exchange through sale of produce in international markets.
   • The government earns revenue from the taxation of ranches and estates.
9. Outline four advantages of practicing mixed farming (4mks)
   • It makes better utilization of the available land
   • There is diversification of farming business
   • A mutual benefit exists between crops and animals
   • Farmers get continuous flow of income throughout the year
   • There is better conservation of water and soil. (4x1=4mks)
10. Give four characteristics of shifting cultivation (4mks)
    • Requires abundance of orable land for farming
    • Limited capital investment ie simple hand tools are commonly used
    • Inputs such as pesticides and fertilizers are rarely used.
    • There is poor land management leading to low agricultural output
    • Practices where there is no individual land ownership
      
      
11.    
    1. What is organic farming? (1mk)
       • It is a farming method where only organic substance like manure and not chemicals are in crop and livestock production (1x1 = 1mk)
         
         
    2. State four reasons why farmers are encouraged to practice organic farming (2mks)
       • The cost of production is greatly reduced
       • Food produced is relatively free from chemical contamination
       • It does not pollute its environs
       • Organic manure improve soil structure, soil pH and microbial activity
       • It does not require high level skills
12. State the roles of agriculture in the economy of Kenya (6mks)
    • Agriculture is a source of food
    • It is a source of employment
    • It’s a source of foreign exchange earnings
    • It’s a source of raw materials for industries
    • It’s a source of income or capital
    • Agriculture provides market for industrial goods (6x1=6mks)
13. List four aspects of rainfall that affect agricultural production in Kenya (4mks)
    • Rainfall intensity
    • Rainfall reliability
    • Rainfall quantity/amount
    • Rainfall distribution/patter (4x1=4mrks)
14. State four ways in which temperature affects agricultural production (4mks)
    • High temperature increases the rate of water loss in plants through evapotranspiration leading to wilting.
    • Temperature affects the quality of crop products eg sugar levels in fruits sugarcane
    • Temperature affects the incidence of certain crop diseases
    • A rise in temperature hastens growth rate (4mks)
      
      
15.    
    1. How does light intensity affect crop production? (1mk)
       • Influences evapotranspiration rate in crops
       • Influences rate of photosynthesis
       • Low light intensity may encourage occurrence of certain pests and diseases
    2. Give five ways in which light intensity in a crop field can be increased. (5mks)
       • Through wider spacing
       • Pruning
       • Staking
       • Shade removal
       • Weeding
       • Thinning (5mks)
16. Describe four ways in which chemical processes influence soil formation (4mks)
    • Hydration – this is the process by which certain minerals absorb water and expand causing internal stress and fracturing the rockmass
    • Hydrolysis – occurs when cation in rock minerals react with hydrogen from water leading to complete decomposition of the minerals
    • Carbonation – CO₂ in the atmosphere react with rain water to form weak carbonic acid which it comes in contact with rocks eg cacerers rocks it dissolve it
17. Outline four factors that influence soil formation (4mks)
    • Parent material
    • Living organisms
    • Climate
    • Time
    • Topography (4x1= 4)
18. The diagram below illustration an investigation on property of soil using samples labeled J,K and L
    
    
    1. If the level of water drained into the test tubes were observed after two hours, name the property of soil being investigated (1mk)
       • Soil water absorption/ infiltration
         
    2. What is the relationship between this property of soil and the size of soil particles (1mk)
       
       • The bigger the soil particles, the easier it is for the soil absorb water, the smaller and closely packed the soil particles, the slower the soil absorbs water
    3. Which soil sample will be suitable for growing paddy rice ? (1mk)
       L
    4. Name the type of soil labeled (3mks)
       • J - sand
       • K - Loam
       • L - Clay
    5. State three characteristics of soil J (3marks)
       • Large soil particles
       • Loose soil particles
       • Poor water retension
         
       • Low organic matter
         
       • Coarse soil
19. State five categories of farm tools and equipment (5 marks)
    • Garden Tools and Equipment. used for preparing land and other crop activities.
    • Livestock Tools and Equipment. used in livestock rearing.
    • Workshop Tools and Equipment. used to repair other tool.
    • Plumbing
    • Masonry Tools. used in building and construction of farm houses.