KCSE Past Papers 2017 Agriculture Paper 1
2017 Agriculture Paper 1
SECTION A (30 marks)
Answer all the questions in this section in the spaces provided.
1. Give four reasons for intercropping in crop production. (2 marks)
2. State four characteristics of extensive fanning system. (2 marks)
3. State four minimum tillage practices. (2 marks)
4. Give four reasons why burning of land is discouraged. (2 marks)
5. State four functions of Young Farmers’ Clubs. (2 marks)
6. Distinguish between a perfect and an imperfect market. (1 mark)
7. State four reasons for practising intensive hedgerow agroforestry. (2 marks)
8. State four management practices in intensive hedgerow agroforestry. (2 marks)
9. State the meaning of each of the following terms as used
(a) crop rotation
(b) pwning
(c) rogueing.
10. State four factors that determine the depth of planting.
11. State four disadvantages of broadcasting seeds during planting.
12. State four characteristics of a good site for a nursery bed.
13. Name four types of market structures in agricultural marketing.
14. Name one crop that is propagated by each of the following:
(a) stem tuber
(b) split
(c) slip
(d) bulbil.
15. State four advantages of using certified seeds.
SECTION B (20 marks)
Answer all the questions in this section in the space provided.
16. The diagram below illustrates water storage structures.
(a) Identify the structure labelled E. (l mark)
lb) Give two reasons why farmers prefer structure F to E. (2 marks)
(c) State two maintenance practices for the structure labelled F. (2 marks)
17. A farmer has a piece of land on which he can grow maize, cabbages and beans. The expected yields and selling prices of the three crops are shown below
If the cost of producing any of the three crops is the same
(a) Which crop should the farmer grow? Show your working. (2 marks)
(b) (i) State the farmer’s opportunity cost. ( l mark)
(ii) Give a reason for your answer in (b) (i) above. (1 mark)
cc» Give a reason why farmers always have to make a choice on the enterprise to implement on the farm. (1 mark)
18. The following is a list of plant nutrients:
Copper, calcium, nitrogen, molybdenum, zinc, phosphorous, carbon, sulphur, iron and magnesium.
(a) Which one of the above plant nutrients is mainly known for
(i) promoting root development (l mark)
(ii) preventing blossom end rot disease (1 mark)
(m) Strengthening plant stalks to prevent lodging. (l mark)
(b) Name two forms in which nitrogen is absorbed from the soil by plants. (2 marks)
19. A farmer is advised to apply 60 kg N, 20 kg P205 and 30 kg K20 per hectare. Calculate the quantity of urea (46% N), single super phosphate (20% P205) and muriate of potash (50% K20) the farmer should apply on his l0 hectares land. (5 marks)
SECTION c (40 marks)
Answer any two questions from this section in the spaces provided after question 22.
20.(a) Describe eight methods used in water harvesting. (8 marks)
(b). Describe nine Ways in which biotic factors influence agricultural production. (9 marks)
(c). Describe the preparation of green manure. (3 marks)
21.(a) Describe seven harmful effects of crop pests. (7 marks)
(b). Describe eight safety measures a farmer should observe when using herbicides to control weeds. (8 marks)
(c). Describe the harvesting of coffee. (5 marks)
22.(a) Give five reasons why early defoliation is discouraged in pasture utilisation. (5 marks)
(b) Described five field management practices for onions. (5 marks)
(c) State five disadvantages of communal land tenure system. (5 marks)
(d) State five characteristics of variable inputs. (5 marks)
