(a) Mention six ways by which the government is contributing towards self-sufficiency in food production
(b) List five methods Of conserving soil fertility.
(c) Explain how three named agricultural practices can destroy the balance of an ecosystem.
Explanation
(a)(i) Priovision of land for agriculture
(ii) Provision of improved seeds, cuttings and seedlings to farmers
(iii) Research into proper method of storage of crops
(iv) Provision of agricultural education to farmers through the extension workers or agents
(v) Granting of interest free or soft loans to farmers as a way of encouragement
(vi) Provision of fertilizer, herbicides, pesticides, vacines, fungicides and drugs to farmers at subsidised rate
(b)(i) Application of manure and fertilizers
(ii) Crop rotation
(ii) Mechanical control of soil erosion such as contouring, ridging, terracing and making of cross bar
(iv) planting of cover crops
(v) Prevention of bush burning
(c)(i) Continuous cropping:- This involves the continuous cultivation of a particular land which results in to exhaustion of the soil, reduces mineral nutrients of the soil thereby causing imbalance in the ecosystem.
(ii) Bush burning - Destroys both the producers and consumers in an ecosystem, depletes the essential nutrients, reduces water holding capacity of the soil, low support of plant and animals. iT Even destroys the microbial flora and fauna or micro-organisms in the soil. Also encourages soil erosion.
(iii) Use of chemicals, e.g. pesticides, herbicides and fungicides which are used to control plants and animals pests generally affect or destroy other plants and animals in the environment.