Name:______________________________________________________________

MZUZU DIOCESE EXAMINATIONS

2017 MALAWI SCHOOL CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION MOCK EXAMINATION

AGRICULTURE

Monday, 27 March Subject Number:

M012/1
Time Allowed: 2 hours
(7.30-09.30am)
PAPER 1
(100 Marks)
(Theory)

Questio Tick if Do not

n Answere write in
Number d these
margins
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Instructions: 14
1. This paper contains 12 pages. Please check.
2. Answer all ten questions in section A and all four questions in section B.

3. The maximum number of marks for each answer is indicated against each
question.

4. Answer all questions in the spaces provided.

5. Write your name and class on top of every page.
6. In the table provided on this page, tick against the question number you have
answered.
7. Hand in your paper to the invigilator at the end.

©2017 MZUZU DIOCISE Turn over

Section A (60 marks)

Answer all the ten questions in this section

1. a. State any two ways of classifying weeds.

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(2 marks)

b. (i) Give any one reason why it is important to classify weeds accurately.
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(1 mark)

(ii) Describe any one cultural practice for controlling weeds.

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marks)

2. a. Mention any two beef breeds of cattle

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(2 marks)

b. State any two features that can be used to identify a beef breed of cattle

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(2 marks)

Continued/…

c. State any one way in which each of the following are avoided in cross-pollination
of crops.
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i. Accidental self-pollination

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(1 mark)

ii. Pollination by other foreign pollen.

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(1 mark)

3. a. State any one importance of each of the following seed treatment procedures for
pasture:

i. Scarification

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(1 mark)

ii. Inoculation

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(1 mark)

iii. Pelleting

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(1 mark)

b. Explain any one way in which each of the following affects seed rate of pasture
during pasture establishment:

i. Method of sowing

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(2
marks)

Continued/…

ii. Seed size

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(2 marks)

4. a. Explain any one importance of each of the following in agricultural

experimentation

i. report writing

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(2 marks)

ii. calculating averages

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(2 marks)

b. State any two examples of environmental interference in agricultural

experiments.
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(2 marks)

c. Describe any one way of reducing environmental interference in agricultural

experiments.

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(2 marks)

Continued/…

5. a. State any two roles of estates in ensuring food security.

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(2 marks)

b. Explain any two ways in which farmers can achieve food self-sufficiency at
household level.

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(4 marks)

c. State any two factors that help to expand international agricultural trade in
Malawi.

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(2 marks)

6. Form 4 students at Chule CDSS poured 260ml of soil in a measuring cylinder. The
students also poured 140ml of water in the measuring cylinder. After 20 minutes
they noted that the volume of soil and water was only 345ml.

i. What was the aim of the experiment?

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(1 mark)

Continued/…

ii. Calculate the percentage of air contained in the soil sample above.
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(2 marks)

7. Table 1 shows farm gate and retail prices for some agricultural produce at
Kalambwe Market. Use it to answer the questions that follow.

Produce Farm gate price (MK/kg) Retail Price

(MK/kg)
Irish potatoes 350.00 700.00
Cabbages 80.50 180.75
Onions 600.00 750.00
i. Calculate the marketing margins for each of the following crops:
(1) Irish potatoes

(2 marks)

(2) Onions.

(2 marks)
Continued/..
ii. (1) Which produce in (i) has the smaller marketing margin?
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(1 mark)
(2) State any one possible cause of the difference in marketing margins in (i)
above.

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(1 mark)

8. A farmer bought a sprayer worthy K25,000.00 to be used for controlling pests in

maize

a. State one safety measure that should be observed when using a sprayer.

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(1 mark)

b. Assuming the sprayer has a life span of 10 years and a salvage value of K2, 000.
00, calculate the book value of the sprayer by the end of three years, using the
straight line method.
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(4 marks)

c. State any two causes of depreciation of the sprayer calculated in b. above.

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(2 marks)

Continued/…

9. A farmer noticed the following symptoms on his crops in a garden: scorched leaf
margins, weak stalks resulting into lodging and small fruits, seeds and tubers.

i. Identify the nutrient lacking in the crops.

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(1 mark)

ii. Name any two inorganic fertilizers that can be supplied by the farmer to
correct the deficiency symptoms.

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(2 marks)

iii. State any two ways how the nutrient is depleted from the soil.
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(2 marks)

10. a. State any three functions of roots.

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(3 marks)

b. Explain any one reason why farmers are encouraged to plant deep rooted crops
after shallow rooted crops when practising crop rotation?

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(2 marks)

Continued/…

Section B (40 marks)

Answer all the four questions in an essay form except for question 12.

11. Explain any five roles of agro- based industries in supporting the growing population.

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(10 marks)

Continued/…
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12. With the aid of a well-labeled diagram, describe the reproductive system of a cow.

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(10 marks)

Continued/…

13. Explain any five advantages of artificial insemination in livestock production.

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(10 marks)

Continued/…

14. Farmers in Traditional authority Kaluluma have been privileged with the following
resources:

∙ Farm settlement program

∙ Subsidy program

∙ Agricultural Cooperative

∙ Soil testing unit

∙ Irrigation unit

Explain any five ways in which farmers can use these facilities to increase
agricultural production.

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(10 marks)

END OF QUESTION PAPER

NB: This paper contains 12 pages