Agricultural Science 2021 Jamb Examination

Fish preservation methods are aimed at reducing spoilage by inhibiting microbial growth and enzyme activity. Common methods include drying, smoking, and salting, which remove or reduce moisture content, making the fish less hospitable to bacteria. Boiling, however, is a cooking method rather than a preservation technique, as it does not prevent spoilage after cooling.

A dragnet, also known as a seine net, is designed for large-scale fish harvesting. It is drawn through the pond, capturing nearly all fish within its path. Other gears such as hooks, harpoons, and traps are selective and catch only a few fish at a time, making them unsuitable for total pond harvesting.

Inbreeding involves mating animals that are closely related genetically, such as siblings or parent-offspring pairs. This practice is used to preserve desirable traits but can also lead to reduced genetic variation and the expression of harmful recessive genes. Crossbreeding and outbreeding, on the other hand, involve unrelated animals.

Land is a fundamental natural resource used in agricultural production. It provides space for cultivation, grazing, and supports natural ecosystems that sustain productivity. Capital and labour are man-made and human resources respectively, while management refers to the coordination of these resources.

Supply refers to the quantity of goods producers are willing and able to sell at a given price. Factors such as reduced production costs, favourable weather, and lower taxes encourage greater output. However, a decrease in consumer demand—when consumers buy fewer products—discourages production and does not increase supply.

A subsidy occurs when the government or another body supports producers by reducing the cost of inputs or providing financial assistance. Supplying fertilisers at a reduced price directly lowers farmers’ production costs, which is a clear form of subsidy. Borrowing and cooperative services are not subsidies since they require repayment or membership.

Farm accounts are systematic records of financial transactions within an agricultural business. They include details of income, expenditure, assets, and liabilities, helping farmers to monitor profitability and plan effectively. Farm inputs refer to materials like seeds and fertilisers, not financial records.

The extensive system allows animals to graze freely over large areas with minimal supervision, leading to reduced labour costs. However, it comes with disadvantages such as exposure to harsh weather and difficulty in disease control. Hence, the main advantage is the low labour requirement compared to intensive systems.

Cotton marketing involves steps such as processing, grading, and packaging to improve quality and prepare the product for sale. ‘Wedding’ is not a recognised agricultural process; the correct term related to farming is ‘weeding’, which is part of crop management rather than marketing. Thus, it is the exception in this context.

The mass method in agricultural extension uses mass communication channels such as radio, television, and newspapers to reach a wide audience simultaneously. It is efficient for disseminating general information quickly. Group and individual methods target smaller groups or single farmers, making them less extensive in coverage.