(a) Discuss two possible solutions to each of the following problems of agricultural development in Africa: (i) Poor transportation (i) Environmental degradation (ii) Use of crude farm tools.
(b) State three precautions that should be taken when using each of the following types of farm power: (i) Animal power (ii) Electrical power.
(c) Enumerate six reasons for maintaining farm tools and implements.
Explanation
(a) Possible solutions to problems of agricultural development in West Africa (i) Poor transportation: - Provision of good transport facilities/road/railway waterway - Maintenance of existing roads - Adequate motor vehicles should be provided for the evacúation of farm produce; -Farmers' cooperative societies can purchase motor vehicles for transporting farm produce bs at lower cos, -Cost of fuel for motor vehicles should be reduced -High cost of transportation should be reduced - Repair/maintenance services should be provided at a reduced cost.
(ii) Environmental degradation: - Drainage ditches should be constructed to control flooding/ erosion control - Irrigation facilities should be provided to farmers to mitigate against drought and inadequate rainfall -Meteorological services should be provided to farmers to reduce weather hazards -Government legislation against bush burning to prevent fire disaster - Prevention of deforestation
(ii) Use of crude farm tools: -Local fabrication of farm machines and implements should be encouraged; - Tractor hiring services should be provided at an affordable cost to enhance mechanization; - Modern farm implements should be provided to farmers at subsidized rates; - Farmers' cooperative societies can purchase farm machines for farmers' use; - Establishment of farm mechanization training centres.
(b) Precautions that should be taken when using each of the following: Types of farm power (i) Animal power - Animals should be properly handled to prevent aggression; - A muzzle should be fixed in the animal's mouth; - Animals should be used in the morning or evening when the weather is cool; - Healthy animals should be used; - Animals should not be overworked; -Animals should be well fed; - Remove sharp horn points to avoid sustaining an injury from animals
(ii) Electrical power - Uninsulated live cable should not be touched with bare hands/wear protective gloves when handling electricity; - Rectify electrical faults immediately; -Faulty equipment/appliances should be repaired before use; - Voltage regulators should be used to protect equipment from damage caused by power fluctuations; - Switch off all electrical appliances when not in use; - Take safety precautions when using electrical appliances.
(c) Reasons for maintaining farm tools and implements: -To keep them in the best working condition - Reduce cost/frequency of replacements Reduce drudgery from working with blunt/bad implements - Reduce hazards/injury/accident from broken implements while being operated/to ensure safety - Reduces food contamination resulting from the use of rusted/dirty tools and implements - Increase/ extend their useful life/last longer/durability - Prevent rusting/deterioration of parts/damage - For efficiency