(a) Highlight five roles of agricultural extension in agricultural development in West Africa. [5 marks] (b) Outline four problems faced by agricultural extension workers in West Africa. [4 marks] (c) Discuss the cultivation of groundnut under the following headings: (i) soil requirements (ii) method of propagation: (iii) two methods of storage [5 marks] (d) Mention two field pests and two storage pests of maize. [4 marks] ,
Explanation
(a) Roles of agricultural extension in agricultural development in West Africa: - Provides effective linkage between researchers and farmers. - Serves as a two-way line of communication between policy makers (government) and farmers. - Provides opportunity for farmers to adopt improved farming methods, techniques and innovations. -Enables farmers to be aware of support services available to them including financial assistance /farm inputs. - Helps farmers to become competent and confident to confront their farming problems at the individual level. - Helps to supervise the beneficiaries of agricultural loans. - Assists in the supervision and evaluation of agricultural development programmes. - Helps farmers to identify better marketing channels to sell their farm produce. - Helps to improve farmers' standard of living. - Helps in collection and collation of basic information relating to rural programmes. - Conducts and organises training for farmers/educate the farmers. -Helps in the implementation of auxiliary programmes eg. formation of Cooperatives, Young Farmers' Club. (b) Problems faced by agricultural extension workers in West Africa: - Language barrier/communication challenges. - Conservatism of farmers. - Poor remuneration. - Socio-cultural barriers/conflicting religious beliefs. - Inadequate extension tools. - Illiteracy of the farmers. - Inadequate/poor transportation facilities. - Inadequate extension workers. (c) Discussion on the cultivation of groundnut: (i) Soil requirements: - Requires well drained/sandy loam soil. - Requires soil rich in calcium and phosphorus. (ii) Method of propagation: - Propagated by seed. (iii) Methods of storage: - Dried unshelled groundnut seeds are packed into dry bags or sacks. - Dried groundnut seeds can be stored in clean rhombus or silos. - Dried clean pods are stored in baskets, pots or earthen bins or drums. - Dried groundnut seeds can be stored in silos. (d) Field pests and storage pests of maize: Fieldpests: - Grasshopper - Stern borer - Aphid - Bird - Termite - Monkey - Army worm - Squirrel - Silk worm. Storage pests: - Weevil - Rat/ mouse.