(a) State three ways in which science and technology have contributed to agricultural
development through each of the following:
(i) Crop protection;
(ii) Climatology and meteorology. [6 marks]
(b) Give two functions of each of the following farm machines and implements:
(i) bulldozer;
(ii) combine harvester;
(iii) tractor;
(iv) sprayer;
(v) planter. – [10 marks]
Explanation
(a) Ways in which science and technology have contributed to agricultural development:
(i) Crop protection
– Producing equipment for pesticides and herbicides application
– Herbicides for weed control
– Nematicides for the control of nematodes
– Fungicides for the control of fungi
– Pesticides for the control of pests in plants
– Insecticides for control of insects
-Rodenticides for control of rodents
– Avicides for control of birds
– Molluscides for the control of molluscs
– Bactericides for the control of bacteria
– Sterilization of plant materials
– Soil sterilization
– Breeding disease resistant varieties of crops
– Irradiation to enhance storage of farm produce.
(ii) Climatology and meteorology:
– Forecasting rainfall pattern to determine planting and harvesting dates
– Forecasting temperatures to produce drying and prediction of disease and pest outbreak
– Monitoring of wind speed
– Monitoring of wind direction
– Cloud seeding for rainfall
– Determination of relative humidity
– Monitoring cloud formation and movement
– Measurement of solar radiation
– To determine types of crops to plant e.g. early maturing
– Producing equipment for weather forcasting
(b) Functions of farm machines and implements
(i) Bulldozer:
– Leveling of land surface
– Moving large quantities of earth
– Uprooting stumps
– Removing, obstacles
– Felling trees Clearing virgin lands/Bush clearing
– Road construction on farms in rural areas
(ii) Combine harvester: Harvesting of cereals
– Threshing of cereals
– Winnowing of harvested grains
– Bagging of harvested grains
(iii) Tractor
-Transportation of human beings
-Pumping of water through the use of Power-Take-Off (P. T. 0)
-Lifting of equipment with the aid of the hydraulic system e.g. mower
-Allows the use of farm implements for land preparation e.g. plough, harrow, ridger etc.
-Provides power to drive stationary farm equipment e.g. milking machines, shellers, etc.
-Generates electricity
– For carting farm produce and inputs /haulage
(iv) Sprayer
– Application of herbicides, fungicides, insecticides, etc.
– Application of liquid fertilizers
-Application of plant hormones
(v) Planter
– Sowing of seeds
– Application of fertilizers
– Application of nematicides/ pesticides