(a) State two advantages and two disadvantages of using biogas as a source of farm power. [ 4 marks ] (b) Mention eight simple farm tools. [ 4 marks ] (c) List two common storage structures and twoprocessing structures that could be found on a farmstead in West Africa. [ 4 marks ] (d) Explain the term denitrification. [ 2 marks ] (e) Describe the following components of the soil: (i) mineral matter; (ii) organic matter. [ 4 marks ]
Explanation
(a) Advantages and disadvantages of biogas as asource of farm powerAdvantages - It reduces environmental pollution - It is easily controlled/easy to operate - Animal dung is cheap - Provides economic value to animal wastes/provides proper use of animal wastes - It can be used for different farm operations like heating the brooder house, drying etcDisadvantages
It requires high technical know-how It is not a common source of farm power Its use is limited to areas where there is abundance of animals it is expensive to set up and maintain
(b) Simple farm tool Some tools used in the farm are: 1. Cutlass 2. Hoe 3. Garden fork 4. Hand fork 5. Trowel 6. Rake 7. Shears 8. Secateurs 9. Sprayers 10. Watering can 11. Sickle 12. Axe 13. File 14. Head pan 15. Wheel barrow 16. Spade 17. Shovel 18. Mattock 19. Mallet 20. Tapping knife 21. Dibber 22. Budding knife (c) Common storage structures and processing structures found on farmstead in West Africa Storage structures
- Abattoir - Milk pasteurizing shed - Fish or meat smoking shed - Rice mill - Cassava mill - Oil mill(for oil crops) - Curing house for tobacco - Shelling barn
(d) of denitrification This is the process whereby soil nitrates are converted to nitrogen gas, nitric oxide or nitrous oxide through the activities of denitrifying bacteria (e) Description of soil components (i) Mineral Matter: Form the solid parts of the soil which are derived from weathered rocks
- Represents 45% per volume of a soil sample - Holds water and air for plant use -Source of plant nutrients -Provides anchorage to plants
(ii) Organic matter:
Represents a mixture of plant and animal materials at different stages of decomposition in the soil Represents 5% per volume of a soil sample Improve soil structure/binds soil particles together Source of plant nutrients after decomposition
