Name of Candidate: ____________________________________School Name_______________________

CHIRADZULU DISTRICT
2023 MSCE MOCK EXAMINATIONS
AGRICULTURE
(100 marks)

Subject Number: M012/ I

Date: Monday, 20 March,2023 Time Allowed: 2 hours(8:00-10:00am)

PAPER I
Instructions

1. This paper contains 10 printed pages.

Question Tick if Do not write in
Please check. Number answered these columns
1
2. This paper has two sections, A and B.
2
section A has seven questions and section
B, three questions. 3
4
3. Answer all questions in the spaces 5
provided. 6
7
4. Write your name on all the pages.
8
5. In the table provided on this page, tick 9
against the question number you have 10
answered.

6. At the end of the examination, hand in

your paper to the invigilator.

©2023 CHIRADZULU DISTRICT Turn over

Name of Candidate: ____________________________________________________________________________

2023 Page 2 of 10 M012/I

Section A (70 marks)
Answer all the seven questions in this section in the spaces provided.

1. a. Give any two advantages of organic farming in regard to environmental conservation.

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b. State any two differences between marketing and trading.
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c. Explain any two limitations of tractor power in farm mechanization.
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2. a. Explain any one way in which rain water harvesting deals with climate change
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b. Explain any one reason for injecting piglets with iron at birth.
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c. Write down any two problems faced by a farmer who does not keep proper farm records.
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3. a. Discuss any one disadvantage of extensive management of cattle.
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 Continued/…
Name of Candidate: ____________________________________________________________________________

2023 Page 3 of 10 M012/I

b. Outline the five activities involved in the processing of mushrooms in readiness for storage.
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c. Figure 1 is a diagram that illustrates some soil structures labelled V and W. Study the diagram
carefully and answer the questions that follow;

Figure 1
i. Identify the two soil structures labelled V and W
V: ________________________________________________________________(1 mark)
W: _______________________________________________________________ (1 mark)
ii. Explain any two ways in which soil structure labelled V may affect crop production.
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4. a. List any two pests of mangoes
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Name of Candidate: ____________________________________________________________________________

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b. Discuss any two problems facing agricultural cooperatives in Malawi.
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c. A farmer observed the following signs of disease attack in sheep
 Swollen feet
 blisters/sores in the mouth and on the feet
 lameness and difficult in walking

i. Name the disease the sheep were suffering from

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ii. Mention causal organism for the disease the sheep were suffering from.
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iii. State any two ways of controlling the disease

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5. a. Define the term “Agro-based industries”
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b. Explain one way in which each of the following measures can help to conserve soil.
i. Construction of storm drains
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Name of Candidate: ____________________________________________________________________________

2023 Page 5 of 10 M012/I

ii. Strip cropping
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c. Classify the following examples of farming systems into intensive and extensive types of farming
systems: Ranching, Stall feeding, Crop rotation and Bush fallowing

Intensive Extensive
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6. a. Workout the price elasticity of supply for beef if a price changes from K 3,500.00 to K 3,450.00
resulting into a change in the quantity of beef supplied from 1900 Kg to 1750 Kg.

(8 marks)
Name of Candidate: ____________________________________________________________________________

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b. What type of price elasticity does the beef have?
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c. Explain the implication of the price elasticity of supply of the beef.

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7. a. Give any two advantages of bio-drainage.
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b. Explain any two factors that affect the quality of hay and silage
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c. Figure 2 shows a diagram of management practice carried out in a cattle crush. Use it to answer the
questions that follow:

Figure 2
i. Identify the livestock management practice.
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Name of Candidate: ____________________________________________________________________________

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ii. Explain any one way in which the management practice can improve livestock production.
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iii. State any two disadvantages of the livestock management practice identified in (i) above.
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iv. Name any two cattle diseases that are not controlled through the above practice.
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Name of Candidate: ____________________________________________________________________________

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Section B (30 marks)
Answer all the three questions in this section in the spaces provided.

8. Discuss any five ways in which international trade in agricultural commodities is important.
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Name of Candidate: ____________________________________________________________________________

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9. With the aid of a well labelled diagram, describe any four parts of a mushroom.

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Name of Candidate: ____________________________________________________________________________

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10. A farmer keeps local breeds of cattle and goats. He has the following resources and services at his
disposal.
 large arable land
 dambo land
 a research station
 a veterinary station
Despite having these resources and services, he faces perpetual poverty and food insecurity. Explain how
the farmer can use the resources and services to overcome the problems.
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END OF QUESTION PAPER