Agricultural Science 2024 Jamb Examination

The major cause of wastage during harvesting is the lack of proper storage and processing facilities.
Without adequate storage, crops can spoil due to pests, moisture, or microbial activity.
Processing facilities help convert raw produce into stable products, reducing post-harvest losses.

Gneiss is a high-grade metamorphic rock characterised by its banded texture.
It forms from the metamorphism of pre-existing rocks such as granite under high temperature and pressure conditions, which realigns its mineral grains into bands.

Silt particles have a size range between 0.002 mm and 0.02 mm.
They are finer than sand but coarser than clay.
Silty soils are known for their smooth texture and good water retention capacity.

Leasing land means granting the farmer the right to use the land temporarily in exchange for rent.
It does not involve purchase, subsidy, or a gift.
This system allows farmers to cultivate land without owning it outright.

Agricultural land is used for crop cultivation, livestock rearing, and sometimes forest establishment for resources.
Mining is an industrial activity unrelated to agriculture and can degrade the land's fertility.

For improved agricultural productivity, essential amenities include water supply, electricity, and health care centres.
These services support both the farm operations and the wellbeing of farmers and rural communities.

Subsidy refers to financial or material support provided by the government to reduce the cost of farm inputs for farmers.
This encourages the adoption of inputs like seeds, fertilizers, and machinery to improve agricultural output.

Granite is an igneous rock formed from the solidification of magma.
It is coarse-grained and composed mainly of quartz, feldspar, and mica.
Sandstone and limestone are sedimentary, while gneiss is metamorphic.

Adopting modern farming methods represents a stage of agricultural development.
This includes mechanisation, use of improved seeds, fertilisers, and better farming techniques to increase productivity and efficiency.

In arid regions, temperature fluctuations cause repeated expansion and contraction of rocks, leading to their physical breakdown.
While wind also contributes, temperature is the dominant factor in desert weathering processes.