Agriculture Paper 1 Questions and Answers - Form 4 End Term 1 Exams 2023

SECTION A (30 MARKS)

Answer all questions in this section

1.  What is a production function? ( ½ mk)
2. Name three types of production function. (1 ½ mk)
   1.  Explain the following terms as used in Agricultural Economics.(2 mks)
      1.  Marginal Returns
      2. Gross Domestic Product (GDP);
      3. Opportunity cost;
      4. Per Capital Income;
   2. List four pieces of information found in a title deed; (2 mks)
3. List four factors that lower the demand of a commodity. (2mks)
4. List factors that determine the quality of compost manure. (2mks)
5. Name any four types of financial books; (2 mks)
6. Outline four methods of preparing seeds before planting; (2 mks)
7. List five factors that determine the competitive ability of weeds; (2 ½ mks)
8. Highlight four cultural measures of controlling maize streak disease. (2 mks)
9. Name one crop that is propagated by each of the following; (2 mks)
10. Mention four aspects of rainfall that influence agriculture. (2 mks)
11. Give four ways in which land consolidation helps to promote sound farm management. (2 mks)
12. In which two forms is Nitrogen absorbed by plants? (1 mk)
13. Outline four pieces of information obtained in an invoice. (1mk)
14. A farmer was advised to apply 300kg of CAN /ha to top dress the maize crop.CAN contains 21% N.Calculate the amount of Nitrogen applied per hectare. (2 mks)
15. Give four ways of improving labor productivity in the farm. (2 mks)

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

17. The diagram below shows types of weeds. Study them and answer the questions that follow.
    
    1. Identify the weeds E to H ( 4 mks)
    2. State one reason why it is difficult to control weed labeled H(1mk)
    3. Name any two known weeds with underground structures which are difficult to remove (2mks)
18. state four harmful effects of weeds (2mks)
19. Maize requires 120kg/ha of phosphorus pentoxide (p ₂ O ₅). How much of the compound fertilizer 20:20:10 would be applied to 0.4 hectare of land to achieve this rate. (2mks)
20. The diagram below shows a graphical representation of an economic law
    
    1. Name the economic law depicted in the curve above (1mk)
    2. Explain what is happening in each of the zones A,B,C in relation to utilization of scarce resources (3mks)
21. The diagram below shows a cabbage seedling which has been attacked by a certain pest
    .
    1.  Identify the pest (1mk)
    2. State two methods of controlling the above pest (2mks)
22. Below is a diagram illustrates a training practice carried out on some crops. Study it carefully and use it to answer questions that follow.
    
    1. Identify the field practice (1mk)
    2. State one condition that necessitate the practice (1mks)

SECTION C ( 40marks)
Choose any two questions from this question

23.  
    1. Outline five factors that determine the quality of hay (5mks)
    2. Explain five objectives of land tenure reform in Kenya (5mks)
    3. Describe ten factors that can influence soil erosion (10mks)
24. The following information was extracted from the farm records of Victory Farm as at 31/12/2017.
    Sale of poultry……………………………………5000
    Sale of milk……………………………………….6000
    Telephone bill……………………………………..1000
    Feed purchase…………………………………….. 2500
    Purchase of calves ……………………………….3000
    Purchase of lambs………………………………….2800
    Sale of goats ………………………………………5000
    Closing Valuation ………………………………….150,000
    Rent ……………………………………………….. 2000
    Casual labour……………………………………… 2500
    Sale of Cereal……………………………………… 12000
    Opening Valuation…………………………………140,000
    Depreciation of machinery……………………………500
    Interest on loan……………………………………….. 400
    Sale of sukuma Wiki……………………………………500
    Purchase of chicks……………………………………….800
    1. Prepare profit and loss account for victory farm using the above information (10mks)
    2. Distinguish between closing and opening valuation (2mks)
    3. State five functions of a farm manager (5mks)
    4. State four guiding questions that a farm manager may ask while preparing a partial budget (2mks)
25.  
    1. Describe the advantages of using seeds as planting materials (5mks)
    2. Describe the production of tomatoes under the following subheadings
       1. Land preparation (4mks)
       2. Transplanting (6mks)
    3. State five advantages of using herbicides (5mks)

MARKING SCHEME

1. What is a production function? ( ½ mk)
   • This is the physical relationship between inputs and outputs.
2. Name three types of production function. (1 ½ mk)
   1. Increasing Returns Production.
   2. Constant Returns Production Function.
   3. Decreasing Returns Production Function.
3.  
   1. Explain the following terms as used in Agricultural Economics. (2 mks)
      1. Marginal Returns
         • This is the extra income obtained from the sale of one additional unit of output.
      2. Gross Domestic Product (G D P);
         • This is the total of goods and services produced by a Country within a period of one year.
      3. Opportunity cost;
         • This is the value of the best alternative foregone.
      4. Per Capital Income;
         • This the average income of the citizens of a country obtained by dividing GN 1 by the population.
   2. List four pieces of information found in a title deed; (2 mks)
      • Name and ID of the owner.
      • Size of the land.
      • Land parcel number.
      •  Date of registration.
      • Serial number / seal of issuing officer / signature.
4. List four factors that lower the dd of a commodity. (2mks)
   1.  High price of commodity.
   2. Taxation.
   3. Expected decrease in price of the commodity.
   4. Reduced advertisement.
   5. Decrease in population size.
   6. Reduced consumer income.
   7. Decrease in price of substances.
5. List factors that determine the quality of compost manure. (2mks)
   1. Type of materials used.
   2. Methods of preparations
   3. Methods of storage
   4. Length of decay
6. Name any four types of financial books; (2 mks)
   1. Ledger
   2. Journal
   3. Cash book
   4. Inventory
7. Outline four methods of preparing seeds before planting; (2 mks)
   1. Seed cleaning
   2. Seed inoculation
   3. Breaking seed dormancy.
   4. Seed dressing
   5. Chitting
8. List five factors that determine the competitive ability of weeds; (2 ½ mks)
   1. Short life cycles
   2. Ability to produce many seeds
   3. Ability to propagate vegetatively
   4. Easy seed dispersal
   5. Seeds have long viability
   6. Extensive rooting system
9. Highlight four cultural measures of controlling maize streak disease. (2 mks)
   1. Crop rotation
   2. Rogueng
   3. Early planting
   4. Use of certified seeds
   5. Field hygiene
   6. Closed seasons
10. Name one crop that is propagated by each of the following; (2 mks)
    1. Stem tuber;
       • Irish potato
    2. Split;
       • Pyrethrum
    3. Slip;
       • Pineapple
    4. Bulbul;
       • Sisal
11. Mention four aspects of rainfall that influence agriculture. (2 mks)
    1. Rainfall amount
    2. Rainfall intensity
    3. Rainfall distribution
    4. Rainfall Reliability
12. Give four ways in which land consolidation helps to promote sound farm management. (2mks)
    1. Saves time and money
    2. Makes supervision easy
    3. Facilitates mechanization
    4. Makes soil conservation measures easy
    5. Makes it easy to have sound farm plan
13. In which two forms is Nitrogen absorbed by plants? (1 mk)
    1. Nitrate ion
    2. Ammonium ion
14. Outline four pieces of information obtained in an invoice.
    1. Date of transaction
    2. People involved in transacting
    3. Type and qualities of goods delivered
    4. Price per unit of the goods
    5. Terms of payment
    6. Invoice serial number
15. A farmer was advised to apply 300kg of CAN /ha to top dress the maize crop.CAN contains 21% N.Calculate the amount of Nitrogen applied per hectare. (2mks)
    21kg N - 100 kg CAN.
    ? - 300 Kg CAN
    =300 × 21 = 63 Kg N / ha.
      100
16. Give four ways of improving labor productivity in the farm. (2 mks)
    1. Training the labor force
    2. Giving intensives to employees
    3. Efficient labor utilization
    4. Mechanization of farm operation
    5. Provide efficient books
    6. Provide transport wilier the farm
    7. Proper payment of workers.

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

17. The diagram below shows types of weeds. Study them and answer the questions that follow.
    
    1. Identify the weeds E to H ( 4 mks)
       E –Black Jack (Bidens pilosa)
       F- Thorn apple (Datura stramonium)
       G-Mexican marigold (Tegetes minuta)
       H-Oxalis (Oxalis latifolia)
    2. State one reason why it is difficult to control weed labeled H(1mk)
       Have underground bulbs difficult to control
    3. Name any two known weeds with underground structures which are difficult to remove (2mks)
       Nut grass
       Star grass
       Couch grass
    4. State four harmful effects of weeds (2mks)
       • Compete with crops for food, space and light
       • Some harbor pests and diseases
       • Increase the cost of production
       • Some have allelopathic effect
18. Maize requires 120kg/ha of phosphorus pentoxide (p ₂O₅). How much of the compound fertilizer 20:20:10 would be applied to 0.4 hectare of land to achieve this rate. (2mks) 20kg is contained in 100kg of 20:20:10Therefore 120 kg of
    P₂O₅ will be contained in 120*
    100/₂₀= ^600kg/_ha
    0.4 ha= 600 × 0.4= 240 kg of 20:20:10
19. The diagram below shows a graphical representation of an economic law
    
    
    1. Name the economic law depicted in the curve above (1mk)
       • The law of diminishing returns
    2. Explain what is happening in each of the zones A,B,C in relation to utilization of scarce resources (3mks)
       Zone A - For each additional unit of input applied, the output increases because inputs are underutilized
       Zone B- For each additional input, output increases at a slower rate because inputs are maximally utilized
       Zone C- For each additional unit of input applied, the output decreases because the inputs are over utilized
20. The diagram below shows a cabbage seedling which has been attacked by a certain pest.
    
    1. Identify the pest (1mk)
       • Cut worm
    2. State two methods of controlling the above pest (2mks)
       • Use of appropriate insecticides
    3. Physically picking and killing
       • Crop rotation
21. Below is a diagram illustrates a training practice carried out on some crops. Study it carefully and use it to answer questions that follow.
    
    1.  Identify the field practice (1mk)
       • Propping
    2. State one condition that necessitate the practice (1mks)
       • Heavy bearing
       • Weak stems

 SECTION C  (40 MARKS)
Choose any two questions from this section

23.  
    1. Outline five factors that determine the quality of hay (5mks)
       • orage species used
       • stage of harvesting
       • length of the drying period
       • weather condition during the drying process
       • condition of the storage structure
    2. Explain five objectives of land tenure reform in Kenya (5mks)
       • to encourage conservation measures on the land
       • to achieve increasing productivity of both land and labor
       • to encourage commercial instead of subsistence production in order to create employment
       • to encourage farmers to invest more through offering tenure security
       • to achieve flexibility in farming pattern, to meet changing national market demands
       • to achieve effective utilization of land resources
    3. Describe ten factors that can influence soil erosion (10mks)
       • amount and intensity of rainfall
       • type of soil
       • lope of land
       • soil depth
       • vegetation cover
       • overstockingdeforestation
       • planting of annual crops on steep slopes
       • clean weeding
       • ploughing up and down the slope
       • indiscriminate burning of vegetation before cultivation
24. The following information was extracted from the farm records of Victory Farm as at 31/12/2017.
    Sale of poultry……………………………………5000
    Sale of milk……………………………………….6000
    Telephone bill……………………………………..1000
    Feed purchase…………………………………….. 2500
    Purchase of calves ……………………………….3000
    Purchase of lambs………………………………….2800
    Sale of goats ………………………………………5000
    Closing Valuation ………………………………….150, 000
    Rent ……………………………………………….. 2000
    Casual labour……………………………………… 2500
    Sale of Cereal……………………………………… 12000
    Opening Valuation…………………………………140,000
    Depreciation of machinery……………………………500
    Interest on loan……………………………………….. 400
    Sale of sukuma Wiki……………………………………500
    Purchase of chicks……………………………………….800
    1. Prepare profit and loss account for victory farm using the above information (10mks)
       PROFIT AND LOSS ACCOUNT FOR VICTORY FARM FOR THE YEAR
       ENDING 31 ST DECEMBER 2017
                 Purchase and expenses                                                                                                                                                        Sales and receipts
       

       Open Valuation	140,000		Sale of poultry	5000
       Bought feeds	2500		Sale of rice	6000
       Bought lambs	2800		Sale of cereals	12000
       Bought calves	3000			500
       Rent	2000		Sale of sukuma wiki	5000
       Casual labour	2500		Sale of goat	150,000
       Purchase chicks	800		Closing Valuation
       Telephone bill	1000
       Depreciation machines	500
       Interest on loan	400
       Total	155,500
       Profit	2300
       	178,500			178,500

    2. Distinguish between closing and opening valuation (2mks)
       • O. V is the total value of all assets in the firm at the beginning of the financial year while
       • C.V is the total value of assets in a firm at the end of the financial year
    3. State five functions of a farm manager (5mks)
       • Short term planning
       • Long term planning
       • Information gathering
       • Comparing the standards of one’s enterprises with set standards
       • Detecting weaknesses and constraints
       • Keeping farm records up to date
       • Implementing farm decisions and taking responsibility
    4. State four guiding questions that a farm manager may ask while preparing a partial budget (2mks)
       • What is the extra cost is going to be incurred as a result of proposed change
       • What revenue is to be foregone?
       • What extra revenue is to be earned?
       • What costs are to be saved?
25.  
    1. Describe the advantages of using seeds as planting materials (5mks)
       • Planting can be mechanized
       • Less bulky
       • Seeds can be mixed with fertilizers easily
       • Easily available hence are cheaper planting materials
       • Easy to treat against soil borne pests and diseases
       • Possible to develop new crop varieties
       • Seeds can be stored easily awaiting better conditions
       • Easy to handle
    2. Describe the production of tomatoes under the following subheadings
       1. Land preparation (4mks)
          • Prepare the land early
          • Clear bush and plough the land
          • Harrow to medium tilt
          • Eradicate all perennial weeds
          • Incorporate well rotten manure
          • Avoid portions of land with previously solanacea family
       2. Transplanting (6mks)
          • Transplant at onset of rains when they have 2-3 true leaves
          • Make holes 15cm deep at spacing of mostly (90*60 (Fresh market variety)
          • Apply 2 tablespoonful of DSP fertilizer
          • Water thaw nursery hours before uprooting using a garden trowel with a lump of soil
          • Put into planting holes and then fill with the holes with soil
          • Firm soil at the base
          • Water if necessary and apply mulch
    3. State five advantages of using herbicides (5mks)
       • No root disturbance
       • Can destroy weeds with rhizomes
       • Less laborious
       • No interference with soil structure=
       • Effective in closely spaced crops eg wheat
       • Can be used under wet conditions