(a) In a tabular form, list ten differences between subsistence agriculture and commercial agriculture. [10marks]...

Explanation

(a) Difference between subsistence agriculture and commercial agriculture

Subsistence Agriculture

• Production is mainly for family consumption
• Less capital is required
• Uses family labour/unskilled labour
• Use of local breeds of animals
• Use of local crop varieties
• Hardly use agro-chemicals/Cultural methods are used to control pests and diseases
• Records are rarely kept Use of primitive/local tools
• Poor housing facilities for rearing animals
• Peasant farmers are involved
• Doer not require improved processing facilities
• Does not involve any marketing Uses crude storage facilities
• Yield per unit area is low
• Food crops are produced
• Small area of land is cultivated
• Use of inorganic fertilizers is limited

Commercial Agriculture

• Production is mainly for sale
• Huge amount of capital is required
• Skilled/hired labour is employed
• Use of exotic/improved breeds of animals
• Use of improved crop varieties
• Mostly use agro-chemicals
• Records are kept Mechanized/use of machines
• Modern housing facilities for rearing animals
• Farmers involved may be rich
• Requires improved processing facilities
• Requires organised market Uses modern storage facilities
• Yield per unit area is high
• Cash crops are produced
• Large area of land may be cultivated
• Frequent use of inorganic fertilizers

(b) Advantages and Disadvantages of sources of farm power

(i) Wind :

Advantages

- Running cost is low

- Wind is safe to use

-Wind is a renewable source of energy

- Wind power is environmentally friendly

Disadvantages

-Wind energy converters work only during windy period and as such lie idle during less windy months/ Excessive variation in wind regimes can adversely affect the cost effectiveness of wind energy

-Too weak a wind force cannot be used for any work Success in exploitation of wind energy highly depends

on the specific site

- Wind mills occupy a large portion of land

- Requires high technical expertise

- Initial cost may be high

(ii) Internal Combustion Engine:

Advantages

- It is versatile/can be used for many farm operations

- Efficient source of power

-Not weather dependent

Disadvantages

-A high capital investment is required

- It requires specialized skills in its operation and maintenance

- In developing countries, there is inadequate spare parts for machines

-It contributes to the degradation of the environment/ It Exhaust gases pollute the environment

-Use is subject to to vagaries of fuel shortage

(iii) Electricity

Advantages:

-A very efficient source of farm Power

-it is versatile, with many valued uses

- It is a clean source of power •

-A large amount of energy can be supplied

- It is a fairly reliable source of farm Power

Disadvantages

-High capital outlay to set up

- Very dangerous to operate

- In developing countries, supply cannot be guaranteed at all time

-Needs technical know-how '

-Maintenance cost is high