Free CXC Agricultural Science Paper 1 May/June 2026 past paper from 2026. Includes a worked answer key. Open the PDF, take a timed test, and study with AI on Caribbean AI.
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CSEC Agricultural Science Paper 1 May/June 2026 - Free CXC Past Paper with Answers
Free CXC Agricultural Science Paper 1 May/June 2026 past paper from 2026. Includes a worked answer key. Open the PDF, take a timed test, and study with AI on Caribbean AI.
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Biodiversity refers to the
impact of humans on a given habitat
different habitats in which animals live
differences in the individuals within each species
different species of organisms and the variety of habitats in which they live
The growing of crops and rearing of fish at the same time in the same system is called
tissue culture
hydroponics
aquaponics
aquaculture
A country is said to have food security when it can
feed most of its population
provide a high-protein diet for everyone
secure food for everyone during periods of natural disasters
provide safe and nutritionally balanced food for everyone
Which institution has the following objectives? I. To develop a common trade policy II. To facilitate trade between member countries III. To act as a bargaining body when negotiating with outside forces
Caribbean Development Bank (CDB)
Caribbean Community (CARICOM)
Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA)
Caribbean Research and Development Institute (CARDI)
A farmer wants to know the number of tools on her farm. Which of the following records should she check?
Labour
Financial
Inventory
Production
Which of the following effects is MOST likely associated with crops grown in wet climatic conditions?
Plants are hardier than usual.
Irrigation is usually a major concern.
Yield per acre is usually higher than normal.
Disease and pest outbreaks are usually high.
Which of the following practices can be adopted to speed up the breakdown of organic matter in a compost heap?
Gather dead plants and animals faster.
Add water to the compost when it is dry.
Light a fire on top of the heap to create more heat.
Allow a long time to pass before applying another layer of compost.
In economic terms, a surplus exists when
supply of an item is equal to demand
little price elasticity of demand exists
the demand for an item is less than supply
supply is less than the demand for an item
Which of the following outcomes are benefits of subsidies to farmers?
I. Free farming inputs. II. Economic security for farmers III. Guaranteed prices for certain products
I and II only
I and III only
II and III only
I, II and III
Which of the following farm expenses is considered a variable cost?
Tax
Fuel
Interest on loan
Insurance premium
Which of the following institutions is NOT a source of credit for a farmer?
Credit union
Commercial bank
Trade organization
Savings and thrift society
On a subsistence farm, labour is mainly supplied by
hired workers
the farmer and his family
the farmer's use of machinery
the farmer and seasonal workers
Based on the information in the table, the equilibrium price of tomatoes is
$1.00
$1.50
$2.00
$2.50
Which of the following items is LEAST important when a farmer is applying for a loan?
A budget
A resume
Collateral
Credit history
Legumes are especially important in organic crop farming because they
are easy to cultivate
promote nitrogen fixation
have a high market demand
are a good source of protein
Which of the following is NOT a likely role of agricultural cooperatives?
Provide scholarships for farmers to study.
Access government support services.
Assist farmers in the marketing of produce.
Enable farmers to remain in business.
Using the information in the table, the gross farm income for Farmer Brandon's broiler farm is
$1 300
$3 500
$17 600
$20 000
A farmer intends to expand his poultry farm. Which of the following budgets will he prepare?
Partial
Complete
Cash flow
Whole farm
Which of the following international bodies acts as a mediator among countries on trade issues?
International Trade Centre (ITC)
World Trade Organization (WTO)
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
International Seabed Authority (ISA)
Agricultural marketing can BEST be described as
value-added farm products
buying goods from the market to be sold to exporters
moving goods and services from producer to consumer
selling goods produced on the farm at a marketplace
The type of germination in which cotyledons appear above the ground is known as
epigeal
osmotic
multiple
hypogeal
The transfer of pollen grains from the anther of one plant to the stigma of another plant of the same or closely related species is known as
self-pollination
cross-pollination
wind-pollination
insect pollination
The atmospheric gas being utilized in the manufacture of food by plants is
oxygen
nitrogen
hydrogen
carbon dioxide
Which of the following factors is MAINLY responsible for the type of soil that is formed in an area?
Surface runoff
Type of vegetation
Type of parent material
Water-holding capacity
Which of the following parts of the plant is responsible for the transport of water and soluble mineral nutrients from the roots to other parts of the plant, as illustrated in the diagram?
Leaf
Root hair
Xylem vessel
Phloem vessel
Which of the following methods relates to the practice of biological control on a farm?
Adjusting planting dates and crop rotations
Increasing crop spacing to avoid plant bridges
Manipulating crop production systems to eliminate pests
Using natural predators, parasites and pathogens to kill pests
The correct sequence of steps to be followed when growing a crop is
selection of planting material, land preparation, planting, cultural practices and harvesting
land preparation, cultural practices, selection of planting material, planting and harvesting
land preparation, selection of planting material, planting, cultural practices and harvesting
selection of planting material, planting, land preparation, cultural practices and harvesting
A soil sample from a school farm was tested and found to have a very high concentration of hydrogen () ions. This indicates that the soil MOST likely is
acidic
neutral
alkaline
high in calcium
A field of cabbage shows signs of heavy infestation by cabbage white butterfly larvae. Which of the following symptoms are the plants MOST likely to show?
Entire leaf veins eaten
Root system destroyed
Leaves yellow and plant stunted
Severe damage to leaves and heads
A tall pigeon pea plant with the genotype $Tt$ is crossed with a dwarf pigeon pea plant with the genotype $tt$. What percentage of the pigeon pea offspring are expected to be short plants?
25%
50%
75%
100%
Which of the following is NOT a benefit of farm mechanization?
Increased losses in crop handling
Better yield and quality of produce
Farm operations performed on time
Improved standard of living for rural farmers
Which of the following types of chemicals can be applied to treat early blight in tomatoes?
Herbicide
Fungicide
Insecticide
Nematicide
An advantage of the use of postharvest technology is that it results in
physical injury
compositional changes
physiological breakdown
a reduction in loss due to spoilage
Burning as a method of land clearing is highly discouraged because it
raises air temperature
depletes soil nutrients
darkens the soil surface
weakens the soil's texture
Which of the following activities will cause soil erosion? I. Mulching II. Overgrazing III. Land clearing
I and II only
I and III only
II and III only
I, II and III
Which of the following outcomes can be achieved from mutation breeding? I. Induced desirable mutant alleles II. Improve polygenic traits for crop improvement III. Improve a specific trait in crops such as new colors
I and II only
I and III only
II and III only
I, II and III
Which of the following practice(s) should be recommended to a farmer who is cultivating a parcel of land that floods in the rainy season? I. Plant on high beds. II. Construct deep drains. III. Minimize land preparation before planting.
I only
I and II only
II and III only
I, II and III
Which of the following weed control methods is considered to be biological?
Mulching with organic material
Spraying with a contact weedicide
Application of a systemic herbicide
Introduction of parasites to feed on weeds
Which of the following indicates the maturity index for okra?
Size of the leaves
Onset of flowering
Yellowing of leaves
Tip breaks off easily
The technique which can be used to reduce the water content of harvested crops is
drying
freezing
preserving
fermenting
In rabbits, most cellulose digestion takes place in the
rectum
caecum
stomach
oesophagus
Legumes are planted in a pasture MAINLY to
provide variety for animals
increase carbohydrate content
increase the protein content of a diet
provide extra vitamins and minerals
The first compartment of the ruminant stomach is called the
rumen
omasum
reticulum
abomasum
If H represents the dominant allele for horns and h represents the recessive allele, the possible genotype of the offspring from the cross is
HH, Hh, hh, hh
HH, HH, hh, hh
HH, Hh, Hh, hh
HH, HH, Hh, hh
Which of the following functions is carried out by the part labelled R?
Provides nutrients for a developing poultry embryo
Supports, balances and holds the yolk in place at the centre of the egg
Serves as the entry point of sperm to the egg and the development of the embryo
Maintains proper internal conditions for the egg whether fertilized or not
The term 'gestation' can be defined as the
act of giving birth
union of eggs and sperms
release of eggs from ovaries
time period during which pregnancy lasts
The disease in rabbits that causes runny droppings which contain blood and mucous is MOST likely
rabies
snuffles
heartwater
coccidiosis
The function of the drone in a hive is to
forage for nectar and pollen
mate with the queen
protect the hive
produce honey
A maintenance ration is one that has the nutrients needed
for the animal to increase in weight
to allow for some activities to go on
to keep the animal in a producing mode
to keep the animal alive in its initial condition
Which of the parts labelled I, II, III, IV is the proventriculus?
I
II
III
IV
Bees are of economic importance to a citrus farmer because they
test fruit for ripeness
prevent praedial larceny
increase fruit production
promote biological pest control
A likely DISADVANTAGE of using artificial insemination in cows is:
lower need for skilled labour
reduced risk of disease spread
increased mixing of cattle breeds
greater need for technical expertise
Which of the following is a function of candling in poultry production?
Detecting abnormality in the egg
Determining the fertility of the egg
Determining the correct consistency of the egg
Checking whether the eggs are developing properly
Farmer Beverly reports that the feed conversion ratio (FCR) of her sheep and cattle is . This means that
the animals consumed of feed to put on of live weight
for every of live weight gain, the animals consumed of feed
for every of live weight gain, the animals consumed of feed
the animals produced of dry carcass weight for every of feed they consumed
Broiler birds with signs of blisters on the face, legs and other body parts are MOST likely infected with
marex
fowl cholera
fowl pox disease
gumboro disease
Debeaking is a procedure used to
artificially incubate eggs
reduce cannibalism in poultry
provide brooding conditions for chicks
prevent the condition called egg bound
Which of the following occurs during the oestrus cycle?
Gestation
Ovulation
Parturition
Fertilization
When building pens for animals, the farmer must ensure that they are well ventilated. This is done to facilitate the movement of
air
feed
water
forage
Which of the following combinations of value-added products can be obtained from pigs?
Manure, meat meal, offals, nuggets
Steak, manure, leather, pork
Bristles, bacon, ham, sausage
Bacon, mutton, veal, ham
The live weight of a goat is . The dressed carcass weight is . What is the dressing percentage?
$60%$
$50%$
$40%$
$30%$