CSEC Agricultural Science Paper 2 May/June 2018 - Free CXC Past Paper with Answers

Sally Women's Group produces organic lettuce for sale at a large supermarket. Sales are low and there are two other competitors selling the same product in the supermarket.

What is meant by 'marketing'?

Explain TWO marketing strategies that can be used by Sally Women's Group to increase its sales in the supermarket.

Distinguish between 'gross margin' and 'net profit'.

Farmer Lall wants to expand his two-hectare vegetable farm to four hectares. Table 1 shows the budget for both the two-hectare and four-hectare farm.

TABLE 1: BUDGET FOR TWO-HECTARE AND FOUR-HECTARE FARM

Based on the information in Table 1, advise Farmer Lall if he should expand his farm to four hectares. Give TWO reasons for your answer.

Decision

Reasons

Soil erosion is a major problem in the Caribbean. On a recent field trip to a soil research station, students saw evidence of soil erosion in the fields.

Outline THREE causes of soil erosion.

Suggest ONE effect of soil erosion on crop production.

Farmer Jane cares for her tomato crop by applying adequate fertilizer, water and pesticides. However, the tomato plants are bushy, lying on their side and bearing many small fruits that are resting on the ground.

Outline THREE other cultural practices that are necessary for the tomato plants to produce large and plentiful fruits, and give ONE benefit of EACH practice.

Cultural practice 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A supermarket chain approaches Farmer Greg to supply it with high quality, slicing cucumbers.

Identify THREE characteristics of cucumbers that would indicate that they are ready for harvesting.

Advise Farmer Greg on TWO postharvest practices that he can implement to maintain the quality of his harvested cucumbers, to ensure that they reach the supermarket in good condition.

Kashwar produces seedlings for sale at an agroshop in town. He notices that in some of the plants the stem tissue near the soil surface is water-soaked and weakened, and the seedlings are toppling over.

Identify the disease that may be affecting the seedlings.

Explain TWO ways in which this disease may be managed in Kashwar's plant nursery.

Figure 2 shows the digestive system of a farm animal.

Figure 2. Digestive system of a farm animal

Give ONE example of a farm animal in the tropics whose digestive system is similar to the one shown in Figure 2.

State ONE function of the part labelled A in Figure 2.

Suggest TWO reasons why the roughage component is limited in the ration of the young animal with the digestive system as shown in Figure 2.

Figure 3 shows the digestive system for a broiler bird.

Figure 3. Digestive system of a broiler bird

What is the function of the part labelled B in Figure 3?

A farmer provides grit (small stones) in the diet of layers. How does grit aid in digestion in layers?

A farmer observes cannibalism among his broiler birds and is advised by the extension officer to adjust his management practices.

Explain TWO management practices that the farmer may use to prevent cannibalism among his broiler birds.

Farmer Kushi is rearing tilapia in a pond. An extension officer has concerns about the nutritional status of the fish.

Outline THREE factors that must be considered in siting earthen ponds for tilapia production.

Outline TWO observations that may have caused the extension officer to have concerns about the nutritional status of the tilapia and advise Farmer Kushi on THREE factors to consider when providing proper nutrition for the fish.

Observations

Factors to consider

Fish provides high quality animal protein for human consumption and is a feed supplement for livestock.

Explain TWO ways in which fish can be utilized as supplements for livestock feed.