WAEC Agricultural Science (OBJ & Essay) Questions and Answers 2026
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*WAEC AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE (PAPER 2 – ESSAY)* *COMPLETE ANSWERS – QUESTIONS 1 TO 5* =========================================================== QUESTION 1 (a) Explain the following problems affecting agriculture in West Africa: (i) Rural-urban migration Rural-urban migration is the movement of people from rural areas to cities. This causes shortage of young and able-bodied farm labourers, leading to reduced agricultural productivity. (ii) Inadequate farm inputs Inadequate farm inputs refer to the insufficient supply or unavailability of essential farming materials such as fertilizers, improved seeds, pesticides, herbicides, and farm machinery. This leads to low crop yields and poor farm output. (iii) Inadequate storage facilities Inadequate storage facilities mean the lack of proper structures like silos, barns, and cold rooms for preserving farm produce after harvest. This results in high post-harvest losses due to rot, pests, and diseases. (b) Distinguish between farm tools and farm machinery Farm tools are simple, hand-operated implements used for small-scale farming, such as hoes, cutlasses, and rakes. They are cheap and require no engine or fuel. Farm machinery are complex, engine-powered equipment used for large-scale farming, such as tractors, harvesters, and planters. They are expensive and require regular maintenance and fuel. (c) Give four functions of a bulldozer on the farm 1. Clearing land by removing trees, stumps, and bushes. 2. Levelling and grading the soil surface for planting. 3. Constructing farm roads and access paths. 4. Digging ponds, dams, and drainage channels. (d) Mention three tools that could be used in maintaining farm machinery 1. Spanners (wrenches) 2. Screwdrivers 3. Grease gun (or oil can / pliers / hammer) =========================================================== QUESTION 2 (a) Describe each of the following horizons in a soil profile: (i) Horizon A (Topsoil) This is the uppermost layer of the soil. It is dark in colour because it contains organic matter (humus). It is the most fertile layer and supports plant growth. (ii) Horizon B (Subsoil) This is the middle layer beneath the topsoil. It contains leached minerals and nutrients from horizon A. It is usually lighter in colour and has less organic matter. (iii) Horizon C (Weathered parent material) This is the layer below the subsoil. It consists of partially weathered rocks. It is the material from which the upper soil layers are formed. (iv) Horizon D (Bedrock) This is the lowest, unweathered solid rock layer beneath the soil profile. It is hard and not involved in plant growth. (b) Classify the following rocks based on their mode of formation List format: Sedimentary rocks: dolomite, limestone, coal Metamorphic rocks: marble, slate Igneous rocks: gabbro (c) State four effects of temperature on agricultural production 1. High temperatures increase the rate of evapotranspiration, leading to drought. 2. Low temperatures (frost) can kill crops and reduce germination. 3. Temperature affects the distribution of crops – some crops grow only in cool or warm regions. 4. High temperatures increase the activity of pests and diseases, damaging crops and livestock. =========================================================== QUESTION 3 (a) Explain each of the following agro-forestry practices in West Africa: (i) Alley cropping Alley cropping is the practice of growing food crops in the spaces (alleys) between rows of fast-growing trees or shrubs. The trees provide mulch when pruned. (ii) Ley farming Ley farming is a system where arable land is planted with grasses and legumes for a period (ley phase) to restore soil fertility, then rotated back to crops. (iii) Taungya system Taungya system is an agro-forestry practice where farmers grow crops between young forest trees during the early years of tree establishment. (b) Give five reasons why agro-forestry is practised by farmers in West Africa 1. It improves soil fertility through nitrogen fixation by leguminous trees. 2. It provides shade for crops and reduces soil temperature. 3. It controls soil erosion by reducing wind and water run-off. 4. It provides additional income from timber, fruits, and fuelwood. 5. It increases biodiversity and provides habitat for beneficial organisms. (c) Describe the water cycle The water cycle is the continuous movement of water from the earth's surface to the atmosphere and back. It involves evaporation of water from oceans, rivers, and lakes into the air, transpiration from plants, condensation of water vapour into clouds, and precipitation as rain, which returns water to the earth. (d) List two forms of water in the soil 1. Capillary water 2. Gravitational water (or hygroscopic water) =========================================================== QUESTION 4 (a) Discuss the cultivation of ginger under the following headings: (i) Soil requirement Ginger requires well-drained, loamy soil that is rich in organic matter. The soil pH should be between 5.5 and 6.5 (slightly acidic). (ii) Land preparation The land should be cleared of weeds and vegetation. It is then ploughed and harrowed to produce a fine tilth. Ridges or beds are made to ensure good drainage. (iii) Planting material The planting material is the ginger rhizome (the underground stem). It is cut into small pieces (sets), each with at least one or two buds (eyes). (iv) Spacing The recommended spacing for ginger is 20 cm to 30 cm between plants and 30 cm to 40 cm between rows. (v) Method of harvesting Ginger is harvested when the leaves turn yellow and begin to dry (usually 8 to 9 months after planting). The rhizomes are carefully dug out using a hoe or fork to avoid damage. (vi) Two processing methods 1. Washing and sun drying – the fresh rhizomes are washed, peeled or unpeeled, and dried in the sun. 2. Grinding into powder – dried ginger is milled into powdered ginger for use as spice. (b) Farmland area calculation The diagram shows a rectangle with length 60 m and width 30 m. Area = length × width = 60 m × 30 m = 1800 m² Answer: 1800 square metres (c) Expected number of maize stands Spacing = 30 cm by 30 cm = 0.3 m by 0.3 m Number of plants per hectare formula: Number of stands = (Area of farmland) ÷ (Spacing area per stand) Area of farmland = 1800 m² Spacing area per stand = 0.3 m × 0.3 m = 0.09 m² Number of stands = 1800 ÷ 0.09 = 20,000 stands Sowing two seeds per hole does not change the number of stands (stands = holes). The number of plants will be 40,000, but the question asks for stands. Answer: 20,000 stands =========================================================== WAEC AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE NUMBER FIVE (5ai) (PICK FOUR ONLY) (i) Sorting the oranges. (ii) Grading according to size and quality. (iii) Packaging the oranges properly. (iv) Storing the oranges in suitable storage facilities. (v) Processing the oranges into juice or concentrates. (vi) Transporting the oranges to distribution centres. (5aii) (PICK FIVE ONLY) (i) Provision of good road networks. (ii) Provision of storage and cold-room facilities. (iii) Granting loans to farmers and marketers. (iv) Establishment of marketing boards. (v) Provision of transport facilities. (vi) Encouraging export of oranges. (vii) Providing market information services. (viii) Reducing taxes and levies on agricultural produce. (5b) (PICK FIVE ONLY) (i) Inadequate number of extension officers. (ii) Poor road network to rural areas. (iii) Lack of transport facilities. (iv) Insufficient government funding. (v) Large area of coverage assigned to extension officers. (vi) Poor communication facilities. (vii) Insecurity in some rural communities. (viii) Poor motivation and remuneration of extension officers. (5ci) Taenia saginata (5cii) Taenia solium (5d) (PICK ANY TWO) (i) Regular deworming of farm animals. (ii) Proper disposal of animal and human faeces. (iii) Maintaining good farm sanitation. (iv) Provision of clean feed and water. (v) Proper meat inspection before consumption. WAEC AGRICULTURE SCIENCES NUMBER SIX (6ai) (i)Sorting and grading the oranges by size and quality (ii)Washing and cleaning the fruits to remove dirt (iii)Packaging/boxing the oranges for transportation (iv)Storing in cool/cold storage to preserve freshness (6aii) (i)Constructing and maintaining good roads to farming communities (ii)Providing subsidized transport for moving produce to markets (iii)Establishing marketing boards to purchase and distribute produce (iv)Setting up cold storage/preservation facilities along distribution routes (v)Granting loans/subsidies to traders and distributors (6b) (i)Insufficient number of extension officers relative to farmers (ii)Poor/bad road network making farms inaccessible (iii)Lack of transport/vehicles for extension officers (iv)Inadequate funding for field operations (v)Large distances between farms and extension offices (6c) (i) Cattle: Taenia saginata (ii) Pig: Taenia solium (6d) (i)Regular deworming of pigs with anticlimactic drugs (ii)Maintaining proper sanitation proper disposal of pig faeces to prevent pigs from eating contaminated material
