Gce Model Questions Vol1 2025 Agricultural Science Question 5

Practice essay / theory question 5 from the 2025 Gce Model Questions Vol1 Agricultural Science examination. This question covers Crop Production, Mixed Cropping, Yield Estimation, Farm Management .

Gce Model Questions Vol1 2025 Agricultural Science Essay / Theory
Topics: Crop Production Mixed Cropping Yield Estimation Farm Management
Question 5 GCE_MODEL_QUESTIONS_VOL1 • 2025 • AGRICULTURAL_SCIENCE • essay

A farmer intends to establish a 2‑hectare field for a mixed cropping system involving maize and cowpea. The farmer plans to allocate 1.2 ha to maize and the remaining 0.8 ha to cowpea. The recommended plant population is 60 000 plants ha⁻¹ for maize and 250 000 plants ha⁻¹ for cowpea. Expected yields under good management are 5.0 t ha⁻¹ for maize and 1.2 t ha⁻¹ for cowpea. The farmer anticipates a 12 % loss in maize due to stem borer and an 8 % loss in cowpea due to pod borer. Market prices are ₦120 000 per tonne of maize and ₦180 000 per tonne of cowpea. Input costs are ₦45 000 ha⁻¹ for land preparation, ₦55 000 ha⁻¹ for fertiliser and ₦30 000 ha⁻¹ for pest control (applied to each crop separately).

Question Parts

( a )
Calculate the total number of maize plants and cowpea plants to be sown.
( b )
Estimate the net marketable yield (after the specified pest losses) for each crop in tonnes.
( c )
Compute the gross income from each crop and the total gross income for the whole field.
( d )
Determine the total variable cost for the 2 ha field and the net profit (gross income – total cost). Comment on the profitability of the proposed mixed crop system.

Detailed Solution & Marking Scheme

Get the step-by-step solution, key points required by examiners and detailed marking guidance through the Edcrib AI Tutor.

Reveal Answer

About This Question

This is Gce Model Questions Vol1 2025 Agricultural Science Question 5. It is one of the essay questions from the 2025 Gce Model Questions Vol1 Agricultural Science examination.

The question covers Crop Production, Mixed Cropping, Yield Estimation, Farm Management .

Master the Exam!

You've seen a preview, but there are thousands more questions plus AI tutor to break down complex solutions.

Unlock Full Access Available for Android & Windows
Chat with Support