Kenya Certificate Of Secondary Education(KCSE 2013) Agriculture Paper 1 with Marking Scheme

SECTION A ( 30 marks)
Answer all the questions in this section in the spaces provided.

1. State four reasons for intercropping. (2 marks)
2. Give four advantages of intensive farming. (2 marks)
3. Give four reasons why land should be prepared early in readiness for planting. (2 marks)
4. State four reasons for deep ploughing during land preparation. (2 marks)
5. State two conditions that must exist for a market to be purely competitive. (1 mark)
6. Distinguish between grading and standardization in agricultural marketing. (2 marks)
7. State four benefits of agroforestry to a maize crop. (2 marks) (2 marks)
8. Distinguish between intensive hedgerow and border planting forms of agroforestry.
9. What is meant by each of the following terms: (3 marks)
   
   1. mixed cropping
   2. monocropping
   3. intercropping.
10. State four advantages of timely planting. (2 marks)
11. State four advantages of row planting in crop production. (2 marks)
12. State four reasons why a nursery is important in crop production. (2 mark)
13. Distinguish between monopoly and monopsony. (2 marks)
14. Name the plant part used for vegetative propagation of each of the following plants:
    
    1. cassava ( 1 2 mark)
    2. sisal ( 1 2 mark)
    3. pyrethrum ( 1 2 mark)
    4. sweet potatoes. ( 1 2 mark)
15. State four characteristics of a good vegetable seedling. (2 marks)

SECTION B(20 marks)
Answer all the questions in this section in the spaces provided.

16. The photograph below illustrates a method of irrigation.
    
    
    1. State two maintenance practices that are carried out on the equipment used in the method illustrated above.(2 marks)
    2. Identify the method of irrigation illustrated above. (1 mark)
    3. Give one advantage drip irrigation has over the method of irrigation illustrated above in crop disease control. (1 mark)
17. The table below shows a format of a farm record.
    

    Date	Disease Symptom	Livestock affected	Drugs used	Cost of treatment	Remarks

    1. Name the farm record illustrated above. (1 mark)
    2. Give two uses of the farm record shown above. (2 marks)
18. The table below represents an account in a financial book of a poultry farmer.
    

    POULTRY
    DR				CR
    Date	Particulars	Folio	Amount	Date	Particulars	Folio	Amount

    1. Identify the financial book. (1 mark)
    2. On 10th January 2011, the poultry farmer bought 5 bags of layers mash worth Ksh. 10 000/- and sold 100 trays of eggs for Ksh. 20 000/- on 10 January 2011. Enter (3 marks)
19. The following illustrations show different production function curves in agricultural economics. Study them and answer the questions that follow.
    
    
    1. Identify the production function curves labelled A and B. (2 marks)
       A ...............................................................................
       B ...............................................................................
    2. What does the law derived from the production function labelled C state? (1 mark) (1 mark)
    3.    
       1. WhichoneofthethreeproductionfunctioncurvesisrareinAgriculture?
       2. Give a reason for your answer in (c)(i) above. (1 mark)
20. The following is a list of plant nutrients; Copper, Calcium, Nitrogen, Molybdenum, Zinc, Phosphorus, Carbon, Sulphur, Iron and Magnesium.
    Which of the above plant nutrients are:
    1. macro-nutrients (1 mark)
    2. micro-nutrients (1 mark)
    3. fertilizer elements (1 mark)
    4. liming elements. (1 mark)

SECTION C (40 marks)
Answer any two questions from this section in the spaces provided after question 23.

21.    
    1. Explain eight cultural methods of soil and water conservation. (8 marks)
    2. Explain four ways in which:
       
       1. HIV/AIDS limits agricultural production (4 marks)
       2. government policy improves agricultural production (4 marks)
       3. low level of education and technology influences agriculture. (4 marks)
22.    
    1. Explain seven physical methods of pest control. (7 marks)
    2. Explain eight factors that contribute to the competitive ability of weeds. (8 marks)
    3. Describe the harvesting of coffee. (5 marks) (5 marks)
23.    
    1. Describe the preparation and handling of stem cuttings when planting napier grass.
    2. Describe the production of onions under the following sub-headings:
       
       1. seedbed preparation (3 marks)
       2. field management (4 marks)
       3. harvesting. (3 marks)
    3. Give five reasons why land consolidation should be encouraged in Kenya. (5 marks)

MARKING SCHEME

SECTION A (30 marks)

1. Reasons for inter-cropping
   • Conserve soil/water (cover cropping);
   • Maximise production;
   • Maximise utilization of nutrients in the soil;
   • Control weeds;
   • Control pests/diseases;
   • Diversification’/spread risks
   • Maximise labour utilisation/save costs on labour.
   • Improve soil fertility if legumes are included.
   • Maximise utilisation of land.
2. Advantages of intensive farming
   • Increases production per unit area;
   • Farm supervision is easy;
   • Maximises utilization of available land;
   • Ideal for densely populated areas/small land holdings;
   • Utilizes technology to increase production.
3. Reasons for early land preparation
   • Allow time for weeds to dry and decompose;
   • Allow for proper soil aeration;
   • Allow timely planting / subsequent operations;
   • Allow time for soil clods to disintegrate/soften.
4. Reasons for deep ploughing 4 x 21 2 marks
   • Facilitates aeration;
   • Facilitates drainage;
   • Breaks hard pans/facilitates water infiltration;
   • Bring up previously leached nutrients;
   • Facilitate development of deep rooted crops;
   • Expose lower soil layers to weathering;
   • Expose soil borne pests and disease agents.
   • Remove deeply rooted weeds.
5. Conditions for purely competitive market
   • Large number of sellers;
   • Large number of buyers;
   • Homogeneous product;
   • Same price for the product;
   • Free entry and exit from the market;
   • Buyers and sellers have perfect knowledge of market trends. 2x
6. Grading - is the sorting of the produce into different lots, each with the same characteristics/ market quality while Standardization is the establishment of uniformity in the quality and quantity of the product.
   Mark as a whole 2 marks
7. Benefits of agroforestry to a maize crop.
   • Leguminous trees fix nitrogen into the soil;
   • Trees act as windbreaks;
   • Trees stabilize soil against soil erosion;
   • Leaf litter decompose to form humus/recycle nutrients;
   • Trees improve and act as water catchment areas/conserve water. (2 marks)
8. Intensive hedgerow:- trees or shrubs are planted between rows of crops.
   Border planting:- trees or shrubs are planted on the borders of the farm.
   Mark as a whole 2 marks
9.    
   1. Mixed cropping:- Is the growing of two or more crops on the same field but on different sections.
   2. Monocropping:- Is the growing of only one type of crop.
   3. Intercropping:- Is the growing of two or more crops in the same field at the same time 3x1 3 marks
10. Advantages of timely planting
    • Disease and pest control;
    • Benefit from nitrogen flash;
    • Weed control;
    • Maximises rainfall utilization by the crop;
    • Crop mitures early when market prices are high/high demand.
11. Advantages of row planting
    • Field operations can be mechanized;
    • Easy to establish plant population;
    • Low seed rate than broadcasting;
    • Facilitates cultural practices/accept specific practices;
    • Ensures proper spacing
    • Ensures uniform germination of seeds. 2 marks
12. Importance of a nursery
    • Many seedlings can be produced in a small area;
    • Facilitates timely routine management practices;
    • Provides best conditions for growth of seedlings;
    • Small seeds and delicate seedlings grow into healthy and vigorous seedlings to facilitate transplanting;
    • Reduced growth period in the field;
    • Excess seedlings can be sold for income;
    • Facilitate selection of healthy and vigorous/true to type seedlings for transplanting. 4 x 21 2 marks
13. Monopoly:- Market dominated by only one seller;
    Monopsony:- Market dominated by only one buyer.
    Mark as a whole 2 marks
14.    
    1. Cassava: - stem cuttings/stems
    2. Sisal: - Bulbils
       -Suckers
    3. Pyrethrum: - Splits
    4. Sweet potatoes: - Vines/stem cuttings 2 marks
15. Characteristics of a good vegetable seedling
    • Free from disease/pest/healthy;
    • Vigorous growing;
    • Free from physical deformities;
    • High yielding;
    • Correct stage of growth/height 10 - 15 tall/4 - 6 true leaves.

SECTION B (20 marks)

16.    
    1. Sprinkler/overhead irrigation. 1x1 1 mark
    2.    
       • Cleaning after use;
       • Unblocking blocked nozzles;
       • Lubricating rotating parts;
       • Repairing/replacing broken/worn out parts;
       • Proper storage after use;
       • Oiling to prevent rusting;
       • Tighten loose nuts. 2x1 2 marks
    3. Drip irrigation does not wet the foliage hence controls fungal diseases 1x1 1 mark
17.    
    1. Health record; 1x1 1 mark
    2.    
       • Selection/culling;
       • Show health status;
       • Determination of treatment costs;
       • Show prevalence diseases;
       • Trace history of disease for effective treatment eg. drugs used, action taken;
       • Show schedules for routine practices e.g. vaccination, deworming, etc.. 2x1 2 marks
18. Ledger 
    

    POULTRY
    DR				CR
    Date	Particulars	Folio	Amount	Date	Particulars	Folio	Amount
    10/1/11	Bought 5 bags of layers mash	1	10,000.00	10/1/11	Sold of trays of eggs	1	20,000.00

    3 marks
19.    
    1. A - Increasing returns production function curve.
       B - Constant returns production function curve.
       2x1 2 marks
    2. The Law of diminishing returns.
       If successive units of one variable input are added to fixed quantities of other inputs, a point is reached where additional (marginal/extra) product per additional unit of input declines. 1x1 1 mark
    3.     
       1. B
       2. Other factors influence / limit agriculture production. 1x1 1 mark
20.    
    1. Macro-nutrients:-
       • Calcium;
       • Nitrogen;
       • Phosphorous;
       • Carbon;
       • Sulphur;
       • Magnesium. Mark as a whole 1 mark
    2. Micro-nutrients:-
       • Copper;
       • Molybdenum;
       • Zinc;
       • Iron. Mark as a whole 1 mark
    3. Fertilizer elements:- Nitrogen, Phosphrous & Potassium.
       Mark as a whole 1 mark
    4. Liming elements:- Calcium; Magnesium and Sulphur.
       Mark as whole 1 mark

SECTION C (40 marks)

21.    
    1. Cultural soil and water conservation
       • Grass/Filter strips:- reduce speed of flowing water/filter soil;
       • Cover cropping:- prevents surface flow/reduces impact of rain drops/prevents evaporation/ volatilization;
       • Contour farming:- creates ridges of soil which hold up water/reduce speed of run-off;
       • Mulching:- reduces impact of rain drops/prevents evaporation/surface run-off;
       • Rotational grazing:- allows grass to recover for soil and water conservation;
       • Crop rotation:- maintain soil cover for protection against erosion/improves soil structure thus increasing infiltration;
       • Inter cropping:- provides adequate cover on the soil;
       • Strip cropping:- the different strips reduce speed of run-off/filter soil;
       • Grassed/vegetated waterways:- slow the speed of water/trap eroded soil;
       • Afforestation/Re-afforestation; Act as water catchments/stabilizes soil/canopy intercepts raindrops/wind;
       • Agroforestry - stabilises soil/canopy intercepts raindrops/act as water catchment/wind;
       • Use of manures/fertilizers; Promotes vegetative growth which covers soil against evaporation and erosion;
       • Correct spacing of crops; Ensure adequate soil cover. 8x1 8 marks
    2.    
       1.    
          • Shortage of labour;
          • Lack of motivation to invest in agriculture
          • Increased cost of living leading to low investment in agriculture/lack of resources for Agricultural production.;
          • Government and NGOs are spending a lot of time and resources controlling the disease instead of investment in agriculture.
          • Lack of market for agricultual produce. 4x1 4 marks
       2. Establishment of national food security policy to supply free farm input to farmers to improve production;
          • Facilitate soil conservation;
          • Imposes laws to regulate quality of agriculture products;
          • Imposes laws to regulate production and sale of agricultural produce to ensure sustainability;
          • Imposes high taxes on imported agricultural products;
          • Providing subsidies on agricultural inputs, e.g. fertilizers;
          • Establishment of government agencies to supply inputs and market agricultural products;
          • Construction of bulky handling and storage facilities for agricultural products;
          • Funding research into new and improved agricultural production technologies;
          • Ensures control of parasites/diseases/weeds is done effectively;
          • Provision of extension services/education. 4x1 4 marks
       3.    
          • Improper timing of routine practices;
          • Lack of agricultural skills
          • Low production of low quality ;
          • Inappropriate decision - making e.g. disease observation and control;
          • Delayed adoption of new and improved production technologies.
          • Lack of knowledge to apply / types and / of inputs;
          • Inability to collect market information. 4x1 4 marks
22.    
    1. Physical Pest Control
       • Use of lethal temperature to kill the pests;
       • Proper drying of produce to make it hard for pest to penetrate;
       • Flooding drowns and kills pests;
       • Suffocation to kill the pests in air tight containers;
       • Physical killing of the pests /trapping and killing;
       • Use of scarecrows /scaring away the pests;
       • Use of physical barriers to prevent infestation by the pests;
       • Use of electromagnetic radiation to kill the pests. 7x1 7 marks
    2. Factors for competitive ability of weeds
       • Some produce large seed quantities to enhance survival chances;
       • Some remain viable in the soil for a long time to await favourable conditions to germinate
       • Some are easily and successfully dispersed to enhance chances of survival;
       • Some have ability to propagate vegetatively into new plants;
       • Some have extensive root system to enhance survival in drought conditions;
       • Some have adaptations to survive where water/nutrients are limited through water and food storage modifications
       • Some have a short life cyle which is completed early before adverse climatic conditions set in;
       • Some irritate animals as a protective measure against grazing, trampling/some are tolerant to pests and diseases.
       • Some are heavy feeders they make food faster than crop establishes.
       • Some weeds have allelopathic effects which suppresses growth of other plants enhancing their survival. 8x1 8 marks
    3. Harvesting of Coffee
       • Pick red ripe berries/cherries;
       • Spread the berries on sisal mats and sort them out into Grades 1, 2 and 3 (Mbuni)
       • Deliver grades 1 and 2 to the factory for pulping same day;
       • Dry grade 3;
       • Deliver grade 3 to factory at the end of harvesting season;
       • Picking interval of 7 - 14 days. 5x1 5 marks
23.    
    1. Stem cuttings for Napier grass
       • Select cuttings from a desirable variety;
       • Select cuttings from healthy and high yielding mother plants;
       • Make cuttings with 2 - 3 nodes;
       • Place cuttings in planting holes in a slanting manner;
       • Cover two nodes underground and one node above the ground. 5x1 5 marks
    2. Production of onions
       1.    
          • Clear the land;
          • Prepare the land early;
          • Plough/dig deeply and eradicate all weeds;
          • Harrow to a moderate tilth/fine tilth/appropriate tilth. 3x1 3 marks
       2. Thinning in directly planted crops to reduce competition;
          • Weeding should be done carefully so as not to damage shallow roots.
          • Remove excess soil from root region.
          • Do not compact the soil around the bulb;
          • Top dress with nitrogenous fertilizer/CAN at a rate of 250 Kg per ha three months after planting;
          • Spray with appropriate pesticide/chemical to control pests especially thrips;
          • Spray with fungicides or practice crop rotation to control fungal diseases;
          • Watering during dry spell/season. 4x1 4 marks
       3. Harvest after 5 months;
          • Harvest when leaves start drying;
          • Break or bend the tops at the neck to hasten withering;
          • Dig up the bulb and leave them to dry under shade;
          • Turn daily to ensure uniform drying;
          • Store in slatted boxes;
          • Leave bulb to dry under shade. 3x1 3 marks
    3. Reasons for land Consolidation
       • Proper supervision
       • Saves time and travel costs between plots;
       • Easy to offer extension services on the actual and on-spot inspection of land;
       • Encourages sound farm planning and adoption of crop rotation programmes;
       • Encourages soil conservation and land improvement;
       • Encourages mechanization due to enlarged holdings;
       • Encourages construction of permanent structures/undertake long term project investments;
       • Enhances weed, pest and disease control. 5x1 5 marks