Agriculture-Obj
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(3ai)
(PICK ANY ONE)
(i) It fixes atmospheric nitrogen into soil
(ii) It produces nodules on legume roots

(3aii)
(PICK ANY ONE)
(i) It oxidizes ammonia to nitrite
(ii) It initiates nitrification process

(3aiii)
(PICK ANY ONE)
(i) It decomposes organic matter
(ii) It produces antibiotics and growth hormones

(3aiv)
(PICK ANY ONE)
(i) It oxidizes nitrite to nitrate
(ii) It completes nitrification process

(3bi)
(PICK ANY THREE)
(i) Distorted or curled leaves
(ii) Reduced plant growth and yield
(iii) Honeydew secretion attracting ants and other insects
(iv) Transmission of plant viruses
(v) Weakened plant defense against other pests and diseases

(3bii)
(PICK ANY FOUR)
(i) Planting resistant varieties
(ii) Removing weeds and debris
(iii) Pruning infested areas
(iv) Using crop rotation and intercropping
(v) Spraying water to dislodge aphids
(vi) Applying insecticidal soap or neem oil

(3ci)
Forestry is the management and conservation of forests for sustainable use, protection, and regeneration.

(3cii)
(PICK ANY FIVE)
(i) Timber (wood)
(ii) Fuelwood (firewood)
(iii) Pulp and paper products
(iv) Rubber
(v) Resins and gums
(vi) Medicinal plants and herbs
(vii) Wildlife and game meat

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(4ai)
Area of farmland in hectares:
300m x 150m = 45,000 square meters
1 hectare = 10,000 square meters
So, 45,000 sq m / 10,000 sq m/ha = 4.5 hectares

(4aii)
Quantity of sorghum seeds required:
Seed rate = 60 kg/ha
Area = 4.5 ha
Seeds required = 60 kg/ha x 4.5 ha = 270 kg

(4aiii)
Quantity of fertilizer required:
Fertilizer rate = 20 kg/ha
Area = 4.5 ha
Fertilizer required = 20 kg/ha x 4.5 ha = 90 kg

(4bi)
(i) Budding involves a single bud, while grafting involves a cutting (scion) joined to a rootstock.
(ii) Budding is typically used for citrus and other small plants, while grafting is used for larger plants like trees.

(4bii)
(i) Orange
(ii) Lemon
(iii) Grapefruit
(iv) Mango

(4ci)
Production ration:
(i) Laying hens (for egg production)
(ii) Dairy cows (for milk production)

(4cii)
Maintenance ration:
(i) Breeding bulls (not in active production)
(ii) Dry cows (not lactating or pregnant)

(6a)
Agricultural insurance provides financial protection to farmers against losses incurred due to natural disasters, crop failure, or other unforeseen events

(6bi)
Insurance policy: Insurance policy is a legal contract between the insurer and the insured that outlines the terms and conditions of coverage, including the risks covered, the duration of coverage, and the amount of compensation in case of loss or damage.

(6bii)
Insurance premium: Insurance premium is the amount of money paid by the insured to the insurance company in exchange for coverage under the insurance policy.

(6ci)
(PICK ANY FOUR)
(i)Facilitates direct interaction between farmers and experts.
(ii)Enables personalized assistance tailored to specific farming needs.
(iii)Promotes knowledge sharing and exchange of best practices among farmers.
(iv)Helps disseminate new technologies and innovations to improve agricultural practices.
(v)Builds trust and strengthens relationships between farmers and agricultural authorities.
(vi)Increases farmers’ capacity to adapt to challenges and improve productivity sustainably.

(6cii)
(PICK ANY FOUR)
(i)Farmer field days or agricultural fairs.
(ii)Radio broadcasts or agricultural programs.
(iii)Mobile phone text messages or voice calls.
(iv)Pamphlets or printed materials distributed door-to-door.
(v)Demonstration plots or on-farm training sessions.

(6d)
(PICK ANY FIVE)
(i)Threshing: Separating the rice grains from the stalks or straw.
(ii)Winnowing: Removing the chaff and debris from the rice grains through air currents.
(iii)Drying: Reducing the moisture content of the rice grains
(iv)Cleaning: Removing impurities, such as stones, dirt
(v)Milling: Removing the outer layers of the rice grain.
(vi)Polishing: Buffing the rice grains to enhance appearance and marketability.

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(2a)
[DRAW THE DIAGRAM OF SOIL PH]

Soil pH is a measure of the acidity or alkalinity of soil, expressed on a scale from 0 to 14. A pH of 7 is neutral, values below 7 indicate acidic soil, and values above 7 indicate alkaline soil.

(2bi)
Cover crops are plants grown primarily to protect and enrich soil during periods when main crops are not planted. They help prevent erosion, improve soil health, and manage weeds and pests.

(2bii)
(PICK ANY FIVE)
(i) It prevents soil erosion.
(ii) It improves soil fertility.
(iii) It enhances soil structure.
(iv) It suppresses weeds.
(v) It manages pests and diseases.
(vi) It increases biodiversity.
(vii) It enhances water retention and management.

(2c)
(i) Wild marigold: Tagetes minuta
(ii) Spear grass: Heteropogon contortus
(iii) Stubborn grass: Sida acuta
(iv) Pigweed: Amaranthus retroflexus
(v) Carpet grass: Axonopus fissifolius

(5ai)
Removal of excessive vegetation
(i)Improves water quality: Excessive vegetation in fish ponds can lead to decreased oxygen levels as plants consume oxygen during the night.
(ii)Reduces risk of disease: Dense vegetation can harbor pathogens and parasites which can infect fish.

(5aii)
Removal of silt
(i)Enhances water depth: Over time, silt accumulation can reduce the depth of the pond.
(ii)Improves water quality: Silt can be a source of nutrients for algae blooms, which can degrade water quality.

(5aiii)
Supplementary feeding
(i)Ensures adequate nutrition: Natural food availability in ponds might not be sufficient to meet the nutritional needs of all fish.
(ii)Increases growth rates: Providing feed with a balanced composition of nutrients can significantly improve the growth rates of fish.

(5aiv)
Fertilizer application
(i)Promotes phytoplankton growth; Fertilizers are used in fish ponds primarily to increase the production of phytoplankton.
(ii)Enhances fish productivity: By fostering a healthy phytoplankton community, fertilizers indirectly boost the overall productivity of the pond, supporting higher yields of fish.

(5b)
(i)Disease control
(ii)Poor productivity
(iii)Genetic reasons
(iv)Old age
(v)Temperament issues

(5c)
(i)Nitrogen leaching
(ii)Soil acidification
(iii)Nutrient imbalance
(iv)Reduced crop quality
(v)Increased pest problems

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(1ai)
Cooperative farming:
(i)Enables farmers to pool resources, reducing costs and increasing bargaining power.
(ii)Facilitates the sharing of knowledge and technologies among farmers.
(iii)Enhances access to markets for members, improving sales and incomes.

(1aii)
Farm settlement scheme:
(i)Provides land and resources to new farmers, helping to establish new agricultural ventures.
(ii)Encourages the establishment of agricultural communities, fostering collaboration and mutual support.
(iii)Offers training and development programs, raising farming standards and efficiency.

(1aiii)
Agricultural research institute:
(i)Conducts research on new agricultural techniques and technologies.
(ii)Develops new crop varieties that are more resistant to pests and diseases, boosting yields.
(iii)Provides extension services to farmers, disseminating knowledge and innovations.

(1b)
(i) Dibber: A tractor-mounted planter or seed drill.
(ii) Hoe: A cultivator or tiller attachment.
(iii) Sickle: A mower or a sickle bar mower attachment.
(iv) Wheelbarrow: A front-end loader or a utility cart attachment.
(v) Watering can: An irrigation system or sprayer attachment.

(1c)
(i) It efficiently turns over the upper layer of the soil, bringing fresh nutrients to the surface while burying weeds and the previous crop’s residues.
(ii) The plough helps in creating a cleaner and more even seedbed for planting.

(1cii)
(i)it can lead to soil erosion. When the soil is turned over.
(ii)it exposes the lower layers to the elements, which can be particularly detrimental in areas susceptible to wind or water erosion.