CATHOLIC EDUCATION COMMISSION

ARCHDIOCESE OF BLANTYRE
P.O. Box 5191, Limbe
Malawi, Central Africa
Tel: 0212 842081
Cell: 0888910402
Email: btarcheducation@gmail.com

2025 MALAWI SCHOOL CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION MOCK EXAMINATION

AGRICULTURE
(100 Marks)
Subject Number: M012/I
Monday, 12th May, 2025 Time Allowed: 2 Hours
8:00 – 10:00 am
PAPER I
THEORY
Instructions
1. This paper contains 9 printed pages. Please Questio Tick if Do not write in
n answered these columns
check. Number
2. This paper has two sections, A and B. Section 1.
A has ten questions and section B, three
questions. 2.

3.
3. Answer all questions in the spaces provided
4. Write your Name on all pages 4.
5. In the table provided on this page, tick against 5.
the question number you have answered.
6.
6. At the end of the examination, hand in your
paper to the invigilator. 7.

8.

9.

10.

11. -

12.

13.

Page 1 of 9
Section A (70 Marks)
Answer all the ten questions in this section.

1a. Mention any two cultivated species of mushrooms.

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b. State three steps involved when treating substrate using chemical method.
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c. Form four students carried out an experiment to determine soil pH from three plots using a
‘pH meter’ and the results were recorded in table 1.
Table 1

Plot pH
A 3
B 6
C 11

(i) State three steps that were involved when determining pH of soil in the plots.
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(ii) Which plot would be recommended for application of lime?

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Mark)

(iii) Give one reason for the answer to 1c (ii).

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2a. Explain any one way in which the following practices can maintain soil structure.

(i) Fallowing
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(ii) Mulching
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b. (i). Identify the method of drainage which involves use of trees to remove excess water from
the land.
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(ii) State any one advantage of the method of land drainage named in 2b (i).
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Mark)

Page 2 of 9
3a. (i) State any two limitations of tractor drawn ploughs.
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(ii) Mention any one safety measure when using an ox cart.

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Mark)

b. A cow produces 4000Kg milk when fed 1000Kg Napier, 200Kg Madeya, 500 Kg Lucerne and
50 Kg bone meal.

Calculate amount of roughages and concentrates the cow consumed.

(i) Roughages

(2 Marks)

(ii) Concentrates

(2 Marks)

4. (i) Describe any one factor that affect Cation Exchange Capacity in a maize field.
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(ii). Explain one effect of Cation Exchange Capacity on maize production.

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5. Describe one way of achieving the following stages of hybridization in crop improvement.

(i) Selfing of parents.

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(ii) Cross pollinating inbreeds.
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6a. State any two advantages of artificial insemination.

Page 3 of 9
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b. Figure 1 is a diagram of cattle parasites.

Figure 1

(i). Identify the parasites.

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(ii). Give any one sign of attack for the parasites named in 6c (i).
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(iii). Mention any one way of controlling the parasites named in 6c (i).
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7. Table 2 shows information on demand and price for maize at a certain market.

Table 2

Price K/ Kg Demand (Kg)

100 4000
250 3000

a. (i) Calculate price elasticity of demand for maize.

(2 Marks)
(ii) In what degree of price elasticity of demand would you place price elasticity of demand
calculated in 7a (i)
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Mark)

8a. Name a planting material that can be used to establish the following crops.

(i) Garlic
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Page 4 of 9
(ii) Napier
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b. Design a three year crop rotation program of the following crops: Maize, groundnuts and
cotton.

(3 Marks)

c. A farmer planted some mango seedlings in a pasture field.

(i) Identify the cropping system.

_____________________________________________________________________ (1 Mark)

(ii) Explain any two ways in which the cropping system named in 8c (i) can deal with climate
change.
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9a. Explain two ways of improving trading of agricultural commodities at international level.
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b. (i) Identify a method of breeding in which mating of livestock of the same breed but not
related
occur.
______________________________________________________________________ (1
Mark)

(ii) Explain any one way in which the breeding system named in 9b (i) is important in livestock
Production.
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c. State the following economic principles.

i. Substitution of inputs.
Page 5 of 9
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Mark)

ii. Opportunity cost.

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Mark)

d. Explain any two factors to consider when feeding livestock.

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10a. Name any two characteristics of dairy cattle breeds.

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b. State any two principles for formation of goat production cooperatives.

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c. State any two signs of foot and mouth disease in goats.

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(ii) Mention any one way of controlling foot and mouth disease.
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SECTION B (30 Marks)

Answer all the three questions in this section.

11. Explain any five relationship between rapid population growth and soil degradation.
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Page 6 of 9
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12. Explain any five advantages of zero grazing system in pasture management.
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Page 7 of 9
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13. Describe procedure for constructing a suitable goat house. In your description include any
four
materials.

Materials
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Procedure
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Page 8 of 9
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END OF QUESTION PAPER

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