(a) State seven ways in which agriculture is important to the economy of West Africa. (b) Give two advantages of each of the following sources of farm power...

(a) Seven ways agriculture is important to the economy of West Africa

• It provides food for the growing population.
• It is a major source of employment for the people.
• It supplies raw materials to agro-based industries.
• It earns foreign exchange through the export of cash crops.
• It is a source of government revenue through taxes and levies.
• It provides a market for locally manufactured goods such as tools and fertilizers.
• It is a source of income and capital for national development and rural livelihood.

(b) Two advantages of each source of farm power

(i) Internal combustion engine

• It is mobile and can be used anywhere, even where there is no mains supply.
• It develops high power suitable for heavy operations such as ploughing and haulage.

(ii) Electricity

• It is clean and produces no smoke or fumes.
• It is convenient, easy to control and reliable for stationary machines.

(iii) Wind

• It is a free, renewable and cheap source of power.
• It causes no pollution and is useful for pumping water and grinding in remote areas.

(c) Five poultry operations carried out with electrical power

• Brooding and heating for young chicks.
• Lighting the pen to increase egg production.
• Incubation of eggs in electric incubators.
• Grinding and mixing of feed.
• Pumping of water and ventilation of the pen with fans.