Name: …… …………………………………….Adm No …….
Class…………
School ……………………………………..Signature …………Index No……………
Kenya Certificate of Secondary education
443/1 - AGRICULTURE - Paper 1 2hrs
MARCH 2025
Instructions to Candidates
a) Write your name and Admission number in the spaces provided above.
b) Sign and write the date of examination in the spaces provided above
c) Answer ALL the questions in the spaces provided below each question.
d) Answer ALL the questions in the spaces provided below each question.
e) Answer all the questions in section A and B.
f) Answer any two questions in section C.
For Examiner’s Use Only
SECTION QUESTION MAXIMUM CANDIDATES
SCORE SCORE
A 1 – 18 30
B 19 – 21 20
22 20
C 23 20
24 20
TOTAL 90
This paper consists of 12 printed pages. Candidates should check the question paper to ensure that all the
pages are printed as indicated and that no questions are missing.
1|Page
SECTION A (30marks)
Answer ALL questions in this section in the spaces provided
1. List four non-chemical methods of pest control in a bean store (2 marks)
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2. State four factors that can increase seed rate in crop production. (2 marks)
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3. Name the type of farm record from which each of the following information could be obtained (2 marks)
i) Common livestock diseases occurring on a given farm
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ii) Best fertilizer to use top dressing
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iii) The number of Jembes a farm owns
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iv) The sire used to obtain the calves on the farm
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4. State three advantages of earthing up in crop management. (1 ½ marks)
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5. Give two ways in which pastures are classified. (1 mark)
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6. Give four effects of soil micro-organisms which are beneficial to growth of crop plants. 2 marks
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7. State three advantages of shifting cultivation. (1 ½ marks)
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8. State four ways in which land reform can be implemented in Kenya. (2 marks)
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9. Give four agriculture support services Kenyan government provides to farmers.
(2 marks)
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10. Give a weed for each case, which has the following effect on cattle:
a. Poisoning (½ mark)
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b. Tainting milk when eaten before milking (½ mark)
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11. State three methods of controlling insect pests in a crop nursery. (1 ½ marks)
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12. State three ways by which soil pH may affect crop production. (1 ½ marks)
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13. Give two conditions under which blossom end rot diseases may occur in tomatoes.
(1 mark)
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14. Give two reasons for carrying out each of the following operations in land preparation.
a. Rolling (1 mark)
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b. Levelling (1 mark)
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15. State four features that should be considered when choosing water pipes for use in the farm.
(2 marks)
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16. Explain the relationship between scarcity and choice as used in agriculture economics.
(2 marks)
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17. State three factors that affect the quality of farm yard manure. (1½ marks)
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18. State three factors that can make a farmer choose a jembe for primary tillage. (1 ½ marks)
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SECTION B: (20 MARKS)
Answer ALL questions in this section in the spaces provided
19. Below is a diagram showing soil erosion control method
Soil Uncultivated land
Water movement
Cultivated land with crops
a) Identify the structure used to control soil erosion (1 mark)
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b) What is the function of the structure made? (1 mark)
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c) Why was soil not put on the upper side of the trench made (1 mark)
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d) State two effects if water was allowed into the cultivated land (2 marks)
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e. Outline two ways in which inorganic mulch helps in conservation of water and soil. (2 marks)
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20. The diagrams below show various nursery propagation practise. Study them carefully and answer the
questions that follow
N
M
i) Name the practice labelled (2 marks)
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ii) State two importance of carrying out practice M (2 marks)
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iii) State two advantages of practice N, over other propagation practices. (2 marks)
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21. a) A farmer was advised to apply compound fertilizer 20-20-10 on an orchard measuring 20m X 10m at the
rate of 80kg/ha. Calculate the amount of fertilizer the farmer would require for the orchard. (3 marks)
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b) Study the illustration below and answer the questions that follow.
i. What is the fertilizer grade of the above fertilizer material? (1 mark)
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ii. Calculate the amount of filler materials in the above fertilizer material. (1 mark)
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iii. State two disadvantages of applying the above fertilizer in crop production. (2 marks)
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SECTION C (40 MARKS)
Answer any TWO questions in the spaces provided.
22. a. Explain seven cultural measures of crop pest control. (7 marks)
b. Explain seven factors that contribute to the competitive ability of weeds. (7 marks)
c. (i) Describe the harvesting of sugarcane. (4 marks)
(ii) State two precautions in the harvesting of sugarcane. (2 marks)
23. a) Outline five ways in which high temperatures affect agriculture production in Kenya.
(5 marks)
b) Describe the procedure of silage making. (5 marks)
(c) State five effects of wind on crop production . (5 marks)
(d) Describe the safety precautions a farmer should take when using herbicides. (5 marks)
24. Describe production of tomatoes under the following subheadings;
a) Varieties (2 marks)
b) Nursery management practices. (5 marks)
c) Land preparation. (5 marks)
d) Transplanting (5 marks)
e) Harvesting and marketing (3 marks)
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