Agriculture Paper 1 - KCSE Predictions 2024 Set 3

Questions

1. Outline two ways in which agriculture promotes industrial growth in Kenya. (1mk)

2. State four factors considered when choosing a farming system. (2mks)

3. Give four natural factors that encourage soil erosion. (2mks)

4. State four factors considered when selecting a site for a tomato nursery bed. (2mks)

5. State four reasons for intercropping. (2mks)

6. Give four reasons why land should be prepared early in readiness for planting. (2mks)

7. Give four advantages of intensive farming. (2mks)

8. State four reasons for deep ploughing during land preparation. (2mks)

9. State two reasons for conserving forage crops. (1mk)

10. Name two types of labour records kept in the farm. (1mk)

11. Give two ways in which mulch control soil erosion. (1mk)

12. Define the following terms as used in soil fertility. (2mks)

(a) Macro nutrients

(b) Micronutrients

13. (a) State four roles of Nitrogen as a macro nutrient in plant nutrition. (2mks)

(b) Give two methods that can be used to detect nutrient deficiency in crops. (2mks)

(c) Name two ionic forms through which element Nitrogen is absorbed by plants. (2mks)

14. Give four factors considered when classifying crop pests. (2mks)

15. SECTION B (20 Marks)

The following illustrations show different production function curves in agricultural economics.

Study them and answer the questions that follow

 (a) Identify the production function curves A and B. (2mks)

A
B

(b) State the law derived from the production function labelled C. (1mk)

(c)

(i) Which one of the three production function curves is rare in Agriculture? (1mk)

(ii) Give a reason for your answer in (c) (i) above. (1mk)

16. Study the illustrations below and answer the questions that follow.

(a) Name the types of grafting labeled A and C. (2mks)

A
C

(b) Name any two crops propagated by method C. (2mks)

(c) Give any two tools or materials used in propagation method C. (2mks)

(d) Give four advantages of using grafting method as a method of improving avocado fruits. (2mks)

17. Calculate the plant population in a 5.4-hectare plot of a bean crop planted at the spacing 45cmx 20cm.
Assume one plant per hole. (3 mks)

18. The diagram below illustrates a feature observed after digging the soil several metres deep Study the
diagram carefully and answer the question that follow.
 (a) Identify the feature that the diagram above represents in the study of soil. (1mk)

(b) What is the name given to part labeled P. (1mk)

(c) Give a reason why part B is also referred to as layer of accumulation. (1mk)

19. SECTION C

Answer any TWO questions from this section

(a) Explain ten ways in which the Kenyan government can improve maize production to ensure food security
in the country. (10mks)

(b) Explain six ways in which soil fertility can be maintained. (6mks)

(c) Highlight four reasons for pruning coffee. (4mks)

20. (a) Explain eight cultural methods of soil and water conservation. (8mks)

(b) Explain four ways in which:

(i) HIV/AIDS limits agricultural production. (4mks)

(ii) Government policy improves agricultural production. (4mks)

(c) Explain the factors considered when choosing an irrigation method in crop production. (4mks)

21. (a) Describe six factors that determine the stage of harvesting crops. (6mks)

(b) Describe the production of carrots under the following subheadings:

Planting (3mks)

(ii) Field management. (6mks)

(iii) Harvesting. (2mks)

 (c) Describe three importance of agroforestry. (3mks)

Answers

1. Provides market for industrial goods.

Provides capital for industrial growth.
Provides raw materials for industries.
2. Aims/objectives of a farmer
Environmental factors of soil type
Farmers knowledge and skills concerning enterprise
Availability of resources of labour, capital
Cultural factors
Government policy
Market availability
3. Steepness of the slope
Rainfall amount
Type soil
Size of watershed/ size of catchment area
Rainfall intensity
Length of slope
Bareness of soil
Prevalence of strong winds
Soil depth
4. Nearness to a source of water.
Well drained deep fertile soil.
Gentle slope.
Previous cropping.
Secure place.
Accessibility
Sheltered but not shaded.
5. Maximize production.
Maximize utilization of nutrients in the soil.
Control weeds.
control pests/diseases.
Diversification’/spread risks
Maximize labour utilization/save costs on labour.
Improve soil fertility if legumes are included.
Maximize utilization of land.
Conserve soil/water (cover cropping);
6. 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.
7. Increases production per unit area;
Farm supervision is easy.
Maximizes utilization of available land.
Ideal for densely populated areas/small land holdings.
Utilizes technology to increase production.
8. 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.
9. To avoid wastage in times of planting
To ensure enough supply throughout the year
To earn income from selling excess forage
To ensure good utilization of land.
10. Master roll
Labour utilization analysis record
11. Reduce speed of surface run – off
Insulates the soil reducing direct conduct between the soil and the agents of erosion.

12. (a) Macro-nutrients are nutrients required by plants in large quantities

(b) Micro- nutrients are nutrients required by plants in small quantities

13. (a)

Protein formation
Forms part of chlorophyll molecule
Encourages vegetation growth
Increases size of grains/ increases yields
Regulates availability of phosphorus and potassium in plants

(b)

Observing deficiency symptoms

Analysis of plant parts
Soil analysis/ soil testing

(c)

Nitrate form/ NO
3
NH + /Ammonium ion
4
14. Crop attacked /mode of felling
Whether field /storage pest/stage of attack
Crop part attacked
Science classification e.g. insect mite, rodent

15. (a)

A - Increasing returns production function curve

B - Constant returns production function curve

(b) 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.

(c)

(i) B

(ii) Other factors influence / limit agriculture production.

16. (a)

A - Side grafting
 C - Whip / tongue grafting

(b)

Pear.
Plum.
Avocado.
Citrus spp

(c)

Budding knife.
Grafting tape.
Grafting wax.

(d)

Plants mature early

It is possible to produce crops that would otherwise not be propagated through other means like use of
seeds
It is possible to use root stock with certain beneficial traits such as drought and disease resistance.
More than one type of plant variety can be produced on the same rootstock
It makes possible to repair damaged plant parts,
Crop variety obtained may have higher /more desirable qualities in terms of taste and size.

17.

18. (a) Soil profile

(b) Transitional Zone

(c) This is the soil horizon in which the leached nutrients accumulate

19. (a)

Farmers training on improved methods of maize production

Provision of extensive services to advice farmers on modern maize production, techniques
Provision of subsidies on maize inputs
Provision of credit facilities e.g. AFC
Imposing high taxation on imported maize and maize products to discourage importation
Quality control to ensure production of high-quality maize that can attract foreign market.
Supporting research into new and improved varieties of maize for high yields
Farm input supplies
Provision of marketing services
Provision of drying and storage facilities
Provision of tractor hire services
Ensuing effective pest/ disease/ weed control
 (b)

Adding manure to the soil to enrich it with nutrients.

Using inorganic fertilizers which release nutrients in forms that are readily available to plants.
Practicing crop rotation to ensure balanced nutrients use.
Using appropriate tillage, for instance minimum tillage.
Regulating soil PH though liming
Controlling soil erosion
Practicing a forestation and reforestation
By irrigation which increases availability and uptake of plant nutrients and reclaims saline soil through
mulching
By weeding to reduce competition for nutrients.
By practicing inter cropping preferably with legume to enhance nitrogen fixation.

(c)

To train the plant so that it can have the required shape

To remove the diseased and the unwanted parts of a plant such as extra suckers, leaves, branches,
flowers or even stems
To control cropping
To facilitate picking
For ease penetration of the spray
To control pest and diseases.

20. (a)

1. Grass/Filter strips:- reduce speed of flowing water/filter soil;

2. Cover cropping:- prevents surface flow/reduces impact of rain drops/prevents evaporation
volatilization;
3. Contour farming:- creates ridges of soil which hold up water/reduce speed of run-off;
4. Mulching:- reduces impact of rain drops/prevents evaporation/surface run-off;
5. Rotational grazing:- allows grass to recover for soil and water conservation;
6. Crop rotation:- maintain soil cover for protection against erosion/improves soil structure thus
increasing infiltration;
7. Inter cropping:- provides adequate cover on the soil;
8. Strip cropping:- the different strips reduce speed of run-off/filter soil;
9. Grassed/vegetated waterways:- slow the speed of water/trap eroded soil;
10. Afforestation/Re-afforestation; Act as water catchments/stabilizes soil/canop intercepts raindrops/wind;
11. Agroforestry - stabilises soil/canopy intercepts raindrops/act as water catchment/wind;
12. Use of manures/fertilizers; Promotes vegetative growth which covers soil against evaporation and
erosion;
13. Correct spacing of crops; Ensure adequate soil cover.

(b) (i)

1. Shortage of labour;
2. Lack of motivation to invest in agriculture
3. Increased cost of living leading to low investment in agriculture/lack of resources for Agricultural
production.;
4. Government and NGOs are spending a lot of time and resources controlling the disease instead of
investment in agriculture.
5. Lack of market for agricultual produce.

(ii)

1. Establishment of national food security policy to supply free farm input to farmers to improve
production;
 2. Facilitate soil conservation;
3. Imposes laws to regulate quality of agriculture products;
4. Imposes laws to regulate production and sale of agricultural produce to ensure sustainability;
5. Imposes high taxes on imported agricultural products;
6. Providing subsidies on agricultural inputs, e.g. fertilizers;
7. Establishment of government agencies to supply inputs and market agricultural products;
8. Construction of bulky handling and storage facilities for agricultural products;
9. Funding research into new and improved agricultural production technologies;·
10. Ensures control of parasites/diseases/weeds is done effectively;
11. Provision of extension services/education.

(c) State four factors that determine the choice of irrigation method to be used in the farm. (2mks)

1. Topography
2. Capital available
3. Soil type
4. Availability of water
5. Type of crop to be grown
6. Profit margin

21. (a)

Concentration of required chemicals

Prevailing weather conditions
Market demand
Attack by pests and diseases.
Labour demand/ labour availability.
Moisture contents.
Intended use of the crop

(b)

(i)

Seeds are sown at 1cm depth

Firm soil after sowing
Apply phosphatic fertilizer at the rate of 200kg /ha
Use seed rate of 4kg/ha

(ii)

Thin to 5 cm between plants

Irrigate when necessary
Top dress at rate of 600kgN/ha
Keep field weed free by uprooting
Earthing up is done
Control pests using appropriate herbicides
Control diseases

(iii)

Carrots mature in 3-5 months

Pull off tubers/uproot tubers by use of hand or carrot lifter

(c)

Source of income from sale of tree products e.g. fruits and timber
Source of wood fuel
Regulation of Microclimates
 Soil and water conservation
Increase land productivity per unit area
Recycling of nutrients after decomposition

Get more exam papers on the links below.

KCSE Prediction 2024 Set 3

KCSE 2024 Prediction Exams

KCSE Prediction Papers

All KCSE Predictions Exams

Thank you
© 2024 EasyElimu Learning Innovations
Call 9am - 5pm: +254703165909, Whatsapp 7am to 11pm: +254700755976 for more