Development of early
Agriculture
2011 p2 qn 3 Identify two ways through which early
agriculture spread in Africa.
i.
Through migration
ii.
Through trade
iii.
Through intermarriages
iv.
Through wars
Agriculture is the
growing of crops and rearing of livestock. Agriculture begun as man begun to
get settled life and stop hunter-gather to settled life.
Theories that explain
how man discovered crop growing and animal keeping.
Ø The Diffusion theory,
which states that crop growing and animal keeping developed in south-west Asia
and then spread to the rest of the world.
Ø The Independent theory-hat which states that
agriculture must have developed independently in various parts of the world.
1999 p2 qn 19 (a) What
factors favoured the beginning of agriculture during the New Stone Age?
(i) Development of tools –modernized tools
& wooden plough
(ii) Settled life of development of settlements
(iii) Increase of population leading to high
demand of food
(iv) Hunting and gathering was becoming tiresome
(v) Change in climate which made natural food
scarse
(vi) Availability of seeds in variety e.g. wheat
& barley
2010 p2 qn3. Identify
the method used to plant cereal crops when early agriculture began.
i.
The broadcasting method
NB THE FIRST ANIMAL TO
BE DOMESTICATED WAS THE DOG.
Benefits of domestication of animals
Ø Regular food supply
e.g. meat and milk.
Ø Clothing, beddings and
other products from animal skins.
Ø Hooves and horns,
which were used as containers, communication and musical instruments.
Ø Animal bones for
making tools, ornaments, needles and weapons.
Ø Camels, donkeys and
horses enabled man to travel longer distances faster with heavier loads.
Ø Increased crop yields
as oxen and donkeys were used for ploughing.
Ø Animals provided
manure for the crop farms.
Ø Use of the dog for
protection from dangerous animals.
Ø Man now led a more
settled life as hunting was now limited since the animals he needed for food
were at his doorstep.
Ø Man now lived in
families and villages.
Domestication of plants and animals
occurred in the Neolithic period, although animal domestication came first.
Factors for the domestication of animals and
crops
1998 p2 qn 1Name two
factors which influenced early man to begin domesticating animals? (2 marks)
i.
Economy.
ii.
Man found some animals friendly.
iii.
Changes in climatic conditions resulted in
aridity which forced animals to migrate.
iv.
Over hunting by early man led to the reduction
of animal population.
v.
Increase in human population forced the
animals to migrate further away.
vi.
Adoption of settled life necessitated
domestication of animal.
Any
2 points, 1 mark each.
2010 p2 qn 18.a)State five reasons why early people
domesticated crops and animals during the Neolithic period.
i.
Due to increased Human population more food
was required.
ii.
There was competition for food between human
beings and animals.
iii.
Over hunting developed stocks of animal on
which human beings relied on for food.
iv.
Hunting and gathering had become
tiresome/insecure.
v.
Calamities such as bush fire/floods destroyed
vegetation/drove away animals.
vi.
Some crops and animals had economic value.
vii.
Animals were domesticated to provide security.
viii.
There was a change in climate which caused
aridity/weather sometimes hindered gathering and hunting. Any 5 x 1 = 5 marks
2004 p2 qn 18. (a)
What made the early man to domesticate crops and animals? (3 marks)
i.
The need to supplement hunting and gathering
which was tedious/need to lead a settled life.
ii.
The realization that some animals were social
e.g. cat
iii.
The discovery that some crops took a short
time to mature/presence of indigenous crops.
iv.
The diminishing/migration in number of wild
animals made man to seek an alternative.
v.
Climatic changes/natural which caused
occasional calamities/poor fruits and
root yields.
vi.
The development of improved tools which
enabled effective cultivation of crops.
vii.
Population increase led to demand for food
viii.
For Security e.g. dog
2003 p2 qn 17. b)
Explain six ways in which early agriculture changed the lives of early people.
i.
Agriculture provided people with a steady
source of food instead of depending on hunting and gathering
ii.
People were able to lead settled lives because
of the availability of food
iii.
Availability of food enabled some people to
specialize in skills such as crafts /local industries/division of labour
iv.
Production of excess agricultural products led
to the development of trade between communities
v.
It led to an increase in population as people
had enough food to eat.
vi.
Concentration of people in settlements led to
the development of early urban centres/growth of towns
vii.
People were able to build more permanent
houses and this ensured their security.
viii.
It led to the development of social satratifaction/classes
ix.
Development of political systems/government
Any 6 points, 2 marks
=12marks
2006 p2 qn 2 Identify
one area in Africa where agriculture began
i.
Along the Nile Valley in Egypt ( Any 1 x 1= mark)
Explain the factors
that promoted (facilitated) agriculture in ancient Egypt.
Ø The river Nile, which
provided the water needed for irrigation and for domestic use.
Ø The fertile soil and
the warm climate of the Nile Valley.
Ø Invention and use of irrigation
technique, characterised by Shadoof and Basin methods.
Ø Availability of food
crops that had already become indigenous to Egypt, e.g. wheat and barley.
Ø Availability of many
tameable animals in Egypt e.g. goats and sheep.
Ø Good and able
political leaders, who directed agricultural production, distribution of food
and other crafts. The government owned huge granaries and go-downs for storage
of grain, animals, cloth and metals for use in times of scarcity.
Ø Natural protection of
the Nile valley from foreign invasion by the Libyan desert to the west, the
Nubian desert and the Nile cataracts to the south and the harbourless coast of the Nile delta on
the north.
Ø Egypt’s close
proximity to Mesopotamia (the first centre of agricultural development), which
encouraged a lot of borrowing.
Ø Use of implements like
sticks, knives, axes, sickles, wooden and bronze hoes and others of their kind,
which eased farming.
Ø Farmers had several
seasons in a year and, because of irrigation, no longer depended on annual Nile
Valley floods.
Ø Introduction and
adoption of iron technology in Africa by 1000AD, which enabled the Egyptians to
make and use iron tools like ploughs, which made farming more efficient
1997 p2 qn 3 Identify
two factors which favoured the development of crop growing in ancient Egypt.
(2marks)
(i) Availability of
reliable source of water
(ii)
Existence of indigenous type of grains
(iii)
Existence of fertile soils along river Nile
(iv)
The invention and use of the Shadoof for
irrigation and other form of implements
(v)Existence of a stable
government under Pharaoh
(vi)
Existence writing helped them to keep accurate
records of seasons and volume of food
(vii)
Use of slave as currency.
(viii)
Invention and use of farm implements.
Describe farming
activities in ancient Egypt.
Ø Various crops were
grown, such as wheat, barley, fruits, flax, beans, vegetables, cucumbers,
onions,, lentils, dates, figs and
grapes.
Ø The Broadcasting
method of planting (scattering seed on land)
was used. Animals were driven over the fields to cover the seed in earth
for germination or budding.
Ø Shifting cultivation
was practised before the human population increased, but more settler
cultivation was encouraged as days went by.
Ø Various animals were
kept such as cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, donkeys,, poultry and bees.
Ø The King was regarded
as the guardian for food supply for all. some senior government officers were
assigned the responsibility of ensuring food security.
Describe the
irrigation methods practised in ancient Egypt.
Irrigation technique in ancient Egypt was
characterised by Shadoof and Basin methods in addition to construction of dykes
to direct water to the farms during drought. A Shadoof is a wooden device
consisting of a long pole swinging up and down between two supporting wooden
posts. On one end of the pole was hung a heavy weight and a skin bucket at the
other. The bucket was pulled down and dipped in water by a person. The weight
on the other side would then cause the bucket to rise up to another person
above, who would empty the water into the canals, which then directed it to the
fields.
Describe two senior
government officers that were assigned the responsibility of ensuring food
security in ancient Egypt.
Ø The Master of Largesse
was responsible for all livestock in the country.
Ø The head of the
exchequer ensured distribution of seeds and livestock when agricultural output
was poor.
2007 p2 qn 3. Give the
main reason why early agriculture developed in Egypt (1marks)
i.
Availability of water from the River Nile
ii.
The River Nile also brought rich fertile silt
from the highlands
2008 p2 qn 3. Name one method of irrigation used in the
development of early agriculture in Egypt. (1 mark)
i.
Basin
ii.
Canal
iii.
shadoof
Any 1x1 = 1 mark
1998 p2 qn 17(b)
Explain the results of the development of early Agriculture in Egypt (10marks)
i.
There was increased production, hence food
supply was regular.
ii.
Sufficient and nutritional foods led to
increase in production.
iii.
Surplus agricultural production resulted to
trade. E.g. food was exchanged with pots and tools.
iv.
There was invention of writing, arithmetic and
geometry due to the need to keep records i.e. hieroglyphics.
v.
Shadoof irrigation methods were developed that
put more land into use.
vi.
Urban centres emerged, e.g. Memphis, Thebes.
vii.
Farmers settled more permanently and improved
their living standards.
viii.
Religion developed, e.g. god was associated
with farming. Offering to gods was practised.
Any 5x2=10 marks
2009 p2 qn 9. Give two reasons
why the early urban centres in
ancient Egypt developed in the Nile Valley
i.
Water from the river was used for
transportation
ii.
Water from the river was used for domestic
use/ industrial use
iii.
Nile valley contained fertile soil for
farming/ availability of food
iv.
Nile valley had cool temperature which
encourages settlement
v.
Vegetation along the river provided building
materials
( Any 2 x 1 = 2 marks)
Early Agriculture in
Mesopotamia
In Mesopotamia, which today is part of Iraq, food production began
around 8000 BC having been introduced by settlers from the Iranian plateau.
Jarmo in the Kurdish foothills represents the earliest stage of Agriculture. As
men went hunting and gathering, the women they left behind may have
experimented with wild grasses that grew around their compound until they found
out and grew the edible plants, paving the way for organized agriculture.
FACTORS THAT FACILITATED AGRICULTURE IN MESOPOTAMIA
Ø
Use of water from the Tigris and Euphratese
for irrigation. At first, Sumer in southern Mesopotamia was unsuitable for
farming as it had very little rain. But the Sumerians skilfully dug canals to
channel water from the two rivers to summer, boosted by the Shadoof or Bucket
method of irrigation.
Ø
The rich fertile silt deposited on the lower
Tigris and Euphratese river valleys and soils in the region, which were mostly
fertile.
Ø
Good leadership by, among others, Sargon the
great and Hammurabi the law giver.
Ø
Invention and use of farming implements like
the ox-drawn plough and the seed-drill in place of digging sticks and stone
hoes fastened with sticky earth onto a short wooden handle for tilling the land
as well as baked clay sickles, baskets and pots in reaping and storing the
harvest.
Ø
The fact that the region was endowed with
indigenous crops and animals like wheat, dates, figs, olives, vines, palms,
onions, melons, cucumber, ducks, pigs, gees, horses, cattle, sheep, goats, a
variety of vegetables and a variety of grains.
Ø
Heavy rains in the Zaggiroes mountains, which
caused the much needed floods on the Euphrates and Tigris river valleys.
Ø
Reclamation of more land for agricultural
purposes by skilfully draining and directing water through dykes, ditches and
canals from swampy land to the dry land, making both cultivable.
FARMING ACTIVITIES IN MESOPOTAMIA
Ø The Sumerian
civilization, which was thriving in Mesopotamia by around 3000BC comprised
twelve separate city states. Farming, fishing, crafts making and keeping of
livestock were most practised.
Ø The city states were
surrounded with walls, outside of which were farming fields, on which the urban
people depended.
Ø Most land was in the
form of large estates belonging either to the rulers or to the wealthy classes.
The workers were given small plots and seeds, farm implements and livestock in
return for labour and surplus produce to the land owners.
Ø Wheeled carts were
used to transport farm produce to various storage points.
Ø Goats and cattle
provided milk while sheep supplied wool: Mesopotamia’s main textile fabric.
Ø City-states often
fought over water rights.
What were the consequences/RESULTS of early agriculture in Mesopotamia?
Ø Adoption of sedentary
lifestyle.
Ø Invention of writing
(Cuneiform) and Arithmetic for better farming management, e.g. accounts
on rents paid by Tennant farmers, the size of the herds, etc.
Ø Increased food
production.
Ø Population increase,
particularly along river valleys, arising from healthy feeding.
Ø Urbanisation/Emergence
of urban centres like Uruk, Eridu, Nippur, Kish and Babylon.
Ø Trade/Development and
expansion of trade due to surplus agricultural produce.
Ø Division of
labour/Specialization in crafts, religion and other non-food
producing endeavours, as not all could engage in farming.
Ø Social classes. With a
stratified society having majority of the wealth people and the poor.
Ø Invention and use of
the wheel, which improved transport and pottery.
Ø Education. Development of
science and mathematics, particularly in measurement of time, distance and
area.
Ø Invention and
improvement of farming tools such as the plough, which eased and increased
agriculture. For example, it reduced the number of people needed to cultivate a
large piece of land. Discovery and use of metals to make farm tools, which
revolutionized agriculture. Bronze tools were made and used in Mesopotamia as
early as 3000BC.
Ø Development of
religion. Development in astronomy, arising from the need to
predict rains, floods and eclipses, which led to the invention of the calendar.
Advances in religious practices. Mesopotamians had many gods, most of who were
connected to agriculture, e.g. Ninurta the god of floods.
Ø Development of law and
government. Government developed from the need for security.
Explain two main factors that facilitated development of law in
Mesopotamia.
Ø Advances in religious
practices. Mesopotamians had many gods, most of who were connected to
agriculture, e.g. Ninurta the god of floods.
Ø Compilation of cords
of law to limit conflict in their civilization, e.g. Hammurabi’s law.
2012 p2 qn3. State two ways in which the Sumerians in
Mesopotamia reclaimed land for agriculture. (2marks)
i.
the built banks /dykes along rivers to stop
flooding
ii.
They dug ditches to drain water from swamps
iii.
They used canals to irrigate the land
iv.
They used shadoof to draw water to irrigate
the land
(2marks)
2000 p2 qn 3 Identify two similarities between early
agriculture in Mesopotamia and Egypt. (2 marks)
i.
In both countries agriculture was practiced
along the river valleys
ii.
Farmers depended on flood water for farming
iii.
They developed systems of irrigation
iv.
They used farm implements made of stone, wood
and later metal
v.
They traded in farm produce
vi.
Planted indigenous crops
vii.
Used both human and animal labour
viii.
Developed a system of storage and preserving
of foods
2011 p2 qn 3 Identify
two ways through which early agriculture spread in Africa.
(2 marks)
i.
Through migration
ii.
Through trade
iii.
Through intermarriages
iv.
Through wars
Ø
Agrarian Revolution refers to radical changes
and improvements in agriculture and animal domestication.
Ø Land belonged to the
feudal lords, the church and the royal family.
Ø Land was rented out to
peasants, who paid by their labour.
Ø Paths and cart tracks
criss-crossed the land.
Ø Farmers used the
Broadcasting methods of planting.
Ø Small scale farming
and intercropping (growing of more than one crop on a piece of land at the same
time) was practised.
Ø Farmers practised the
Open Field system.
THE
OPEN FIELD SYSTEM
v A piece of land was
divided into three portions: one for growing corn and wheat, the second for
beans, peas, barley, oats and bush wheat, while the third was left fallow to
regain fertility. Sometimes, this third piece was left for grazing and homes.
v Each portion of land
was divided into several strips, depending on the number of peasants in a
village.
v Each peasant had his
own strip, on which he was meant to cultivate just enough for the needs of his
family since agriculture had not yet been commercialized.
Disadvantages of open
field system
v
It did not allow efficient farming as land was
not fully utilized.
v
Division of land into small strips discouraged
use of farm machinery.
v
The existence of fallow pieces of land, cart
tracks and paths that went through the unfenced fields wasted land.
v
It was difficult to control diseases or to
practise selective breeding since livestock grazed together.
v
The broadcasting method of planting led to
wastage of seeds as some were eaten by birds and rodents.
v
Families had to travel long distances to reach
their fields as pieces of land were scattered all over.
v
Agricultural yield was low and could not meet
the growing urban population’s food demand.
Characteristics of agrarian revolution
v
The land enclosure system (fencing and hedging
of plots), which replaced the Open Field system in 1750.
v Mechanization, i.e.
use of new farming methods, which required large farms as opposed to the
previous small strips.
v Abolition of fallows.
Farmers could no longer leave the land fallow to regain its fertility as was
the tradition. Increase in population meant demand for more food, which
required most of the land to be put to use.
v Introduction of crop
rotation. Lord Viscount Townsend developed a four-course rotation system called
the Norfolk, which consisted of barley,
clover, turnips and wheat on the same plot of land over a four-year period, by
which land retained or gained but would not lose its fertility.
v The introduction of
intercropping. It was discovered that growing crops like maize and beans on a
given piece of land at the same time enabled land to regain fertility, since
such crops did not require the same nutrients from the soil and they grew well
if planted together.
v Use of fertilizer.
This was pioneered by Lord Viscount Townsend, who recommended manuring of land
to increase yields per hectare.
v Use of machines. This
changed agriculture from a small scale subsistence activity to a large scale
business for both subsistence and commercial purposes.
v Selective breeding of
livestock. This was invented between 1725-1795 by Robert Bakewell.
v
Introduction and all-time availability of
cattle feed, which helped ensure supply of fresh meat all the year round.
The animal breeds that resulted from Robert Bakewell’s
Selective Breeding technique.
v
New improved cattle breeds like Devon, the
Short-Horn, Hereford, Ayshire and Aberdeen Angus
v Sheep breeds such as
the Leicester, Shropshire, Suffolk and Oxford.
v
Pig breeds like Yorkshire, Berkshire and
Tamworth.
The inventions/innovations that were made during
Agrarian revolution in Britain.
v
Jethro Tull’s invention of the Seed Drill and
the horse-drawn hoe in 1791,, with which seeds could be sown in rows, which
eased interrow cropping and kept the land between the rows clean.
v Introduction of the
Iron plough in place of the wooden plough in 1825.
v Formation of the Royal
Agricultural Society in 1838, which publicised new ideas and techniques of
farming all over Britain. This encouraged adoption of modern methods of
farming.
v Opening of a super
phosphates factory in London in 1843 by Sir john Bennet Lawes, following the
earlier discovery by scientists that Nitrogen Phosphorus (in phosphates) and
Potassium (in Potash) are nutrients for all plants.
v
Andrew Meikles’ invention of the Mechanical
Thresher in 1876, which improved Patrick Bell’s earlier invention of the
Mechanical Reaper, which replaced the sickle in harvesting corn. A Binder was
added to the reaper so that corn was cut and bound at the same time. Other
modern machines like tractors and the combined harvester could reap and thresh corn
simultaneously.
THE LAND ENCLOSURE SYSTEM
How the Enclosure system serve as an agricultural
landmark in Britain
Ø It was necessitated by
use of new farming methods that required large farms as opposed to the previous
small strips.
Ø Rich farmers bought up
all the land and, through the Enclosure Movement, demanded that land be
enclosed by fencing.
Ø Through the Enclosure
act of 1750, the British government mandated farmers to fence their land. This
enabled the rich to acquire a lot more land and created large farms that were
easily managed as farmers could specialize in crop or animal production, which
was highly profitable.
Ø The farmers that
bought up the land got title deeds, which they could use to borrow money from
firms to improve their farms.
Ø Peasants, who could
not buy their own estates were evicted from and lost their land, which was sold
off to rich landlords.
Ø There was displacement
and a lot more hardship for those who lost their land as they had to sell their
labour to the rich farmers and to the factories in the urban as others
emigrated to the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.
Ø There were many
changes in lifestyle as agriculture was transformed from a simple human
occupation to a complex highly profitable business.
Ø Fallow land was
cultivated and wasteland reclaimed. Food could now be grown round the year due
to increased irrigation.
Ø Cultivation methods
and equipment improved, which meant adequate and surplus food production.
Ø By 1800, all farmland
in Britain was enclosed, which greatly reduced the risk of animal and crop
diseases. Aggressive farmers could now increase production without the
hindrance of their neighbours.
1997 p2 qn 5 Name two
ways in which the railway transport contributed to the Agrarian revolution in
Western Europe. (2marks)
i.
Railway provided efficient and reliable means
of transport for agricultural products.
ii.
Provided efficient transport for farm
machinery and labour and farm implements.
iii. Provided efficient
transport of farm tiling.
1998 p2 qn 3 State one
way in which the Agrarian Revolution contributed to rural- urban migration in
Europe. (1mark)
i.
Mechanization of farming rendered peasants
jobless so they migrated to urban centres in search of jobs opportunities.
ii.
The enclosure system made many people
landless.
Any
1 point, 1 mark.
1999 p2 qn 2. State
one main way in which the Agrarian Revolution contributed to the development of
urban centres in Europe.
i.
The enclosure system/ the consolidation of
farms forced people to migrate from the rural areas to urban (1 mark)
1999 p2 qn 19 (b) Explain
six factors which promoted plantation farming in Europe during the agrarian revolution
i.
The Invention of machines for extensive
farming e.g seedling horse drawn
ii.
plough, iron hoe.
iii.
Discovery of fertilizers which led to high
yields/ manure
iv.
Discovery of pesticides and fungicides which
facilitate control of crops
v.
Diseases.
vi.
Improvement in transport especially the
railway which facilitate transportation of bulky goods/ farm products and farm workers
vii.
High demand for food by rapidly growing urban
population.
viii.
Demand for agricultural and industrial raw
materials
ix.
Development of new breads of crops as a result
of research in agriculture
x.
The enclosure acts/ system pushed people out
of the rural areas and created room for
plantation agriculture.
2000 p2 qn 19 (b) Explain four advantage of the land
tenure system in Britain (7 marks)
i.
It led to the development of large scale
farming thus bringing more land under production
ii.
It led to increased food production since more
land was brought under cultivation
iii.
Increased food production led to an increase
in population
iv.
It facilitated the mechanization of
agriculture e.g. the use of seed drill mechanical thresher and combined
harvester
v.
Increased agricultural production led to the
establishment of industries which provided employment opportunities to the
displaced poor.
vi.
It enhanced control and spread of pest and
diseases and led to the production of high quality produce.
vii.
It led to the appreciation of the value of
land
viii.
improved transport system to transport
agricultural produce to the market
ix.
Invention of new methods of maintaining soil
fertility e.g. Use of manure, crop rotation and use fertilizer
x.
Led to the establishment of organizations that
disseminated information about new agricultural inventions e.g. Royal
agricultural Society
xi.
New methods of animal husbandry were practiced
e.g. selective breeding of livestock
xii.
Mechanization of agriculture led to the growth
of local and international trade.
The results of Agrarian revolution In Britain
Ø Improved farming
methods, which led to increased food production.
Ø Population increase as food was abundant.
Life expectancy was higher too.
Ø A large variety of
crops e.g. clover, potatoes, beans, maize, vegetables and citrus fruits.
Ø New animal breeds such
as the Friesian cow as well as Leicester and Suffolk sheep, among others.
Ø large scale farming in
place of subsistence farming.
Ø Mechanization of
farming as cultivation of large farms was adopted.
Ø Rural-urban migration as peasants
were compelled by the Enclosure movement to sell their land to rich farmers.
Ø Availability of raw
materials required in the agro based industries, thus contributing to the
industrial revolution.
Ø Expansion of both
local and international trade
Ø Expansion of the
transport network.
Ø Enhancement of
research and scientific innovations.
Ø Migration of some of the
landless to the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa and other
places overseas.
Ø Minimization of pests,
diseases and epidemics.
Ø high standard of life, particularly for farmers due to
increased agricultural income.
Ø Availability of food
and feeds round the year.
Ø British culture was
spread and administered overseas.
Ø Emergence and growth
of more and more urban centres due to rise of a non-food producing population.
The negative effects of the Agrarian revolution.
Ø Land was concentrated
in the hands of a few rich people, leaving the wider majority under poverty and
insecurity due to forced sales of their land.
Ø The fact that work,
for which those who lost their land had to look, was not easy to find, for the
landless outnumbered the landlords by a greater margin.
Ø Most of those who
migrated overseas died due to exposure to strange climates.
Ø Some of the emergent
non-food producing population indulged into permissive and unbecoming
behaviour, a lot of which remains to date.
Ø Some fertilizer and
pesticides, such as DDT, became destructive to the environment.
Ø Urban centres were
overcrowded, with poor living conditions due to influx of poor landless
peasants into towns.
Ø The idea of
colonization stems from Agrarian revolution since almost all places where
British emigrants went to after the Agrarian Revolution, such as the USA,
Canada, Australia,, New Zealand, South Africa, etc. became British colonies.
1996 p2 qn 6 Name two main cash
crops that were grown in North America during the Agrarian evolution. (2marks)
i.
Tobacco
ii.
Cotton
iii.
Corn/Maize
iv.
Wheat
2001 p2 qn 20. (a)
Describe three factors that facilitated the development of agriculture in
America before 1800
i.
European immigration into the region led to
population increase and demand for food.
ii.
European immigration introduced new methods of
farming
iii.
Introduction of new crops
iv.
Availability of slave labour to clear forests
and to farm
v.
Suitability of climate for agriculture
vi.
Presence of suitable soils for different types
of crops
vii.
Settlement of enterprising European emigrants
who wished to make a living through agriculture.
viii.
Availability of indigenous crops
ix.
Use of river for irrigation
(Any
3 points, 1 mark (3 marks)
2001 p2 qn 20 (b)
Discuss the factors that led to the Agrarian Revolution in North American
i.
The introduction of the enclosure system in
Britain forced landless to migrate to North America where they introduced new
farming methods.
ii.
Availability of land for the farming of
different crop varieties such as tobacco, cotton and wheat/reclamation of waste
land of irrigation.
iii.
Suitability of land for different crop variety
iv.
Government recognition of individual land
ownership (the Homestead Act 1860) encouraged settlers to farm
v.
The granting of financial aid to farmers to
buy and develop land /credit facilities.
vi.
The introduction of slave labour ensured
adequate supply of labour for farming
vii.
Determination by the European immigrants to
succeed in agriculture as there was no other sources of livelihood.
viii.
The increase in demand for agricultural raw
materials by European industrialists encouraged expansion in
agriculture/availability of foreign market.
ix.
The invention of the cotton gin in 1993 by Eli
Whiney led to increased cotton acreage.
x.
The mechanization of agriculture stimulated
productivity e.g. the steel plough and the mechanical reaper.
xi.
The development of food preservation methods
of canning and refrigeration encouraged farmers to produce more.
xii.
The application of science and research to
agricultural (e.g. biotechnology development of new foods from existing crops,
use of fertilizers and genetic engineering in livestock production) facilitated
the Agrarian Revolution.
xiii.
Increase in population created demand for food
which led to expansion of agriculture
xiv.
Discovery of controlling of animal diseases
led to increase production.
(Any 6 point 1 mark
(12 marks)
Ø Diversification of
agriculture through the introduction of new crops and animals from Britain.
Ø Inventions, e.g. the
steel plough by John Deere and the reaper by Cyrus McCormick.
Ø Use of fertilizers and
high breed seeds.
Ø Improved food
production.
Ø Expansion of
agriculture-related industries.
Ø Mechanization of
farming to replace slave labour.
Ø Improvement and
expansion of transport network.
Ø Increased population
due to adequate food supply and emigration into the USA from Western Europe.
Ø Enhancement of
research and scientific inventions, particularly in the field of agriculture.
Ø Increased trade
between the USA and Western Europe.
2001 p2 qn 14. State
two ways in which poor transport systems have contributed to food shortage in
Africa.
i.
Poor transport have led to high transportation
costs, leading to high prices of food.
ii.
Poor transport have led to poor distribution
of food.
iii.
Poor transport systems have led to delays in
the transportation of food leading to waste and losses.
iv.
Poor transport systems discourage/demoralizes
farmers and this in turn leads to officers.
v.
Poor transport system undermines effectiveness
of agricultural extension officers.
vi.
Agricultural inputs do not readily/reach/
leading to poor products.
(Any
2 points, 1 mark (2 marks)
2004 p2 qn 18 (b)
Explain the causes of food shortages in the third world counties (12 marks)
i.
Over dependence on cash crops has taken over
land that would have been used for cultivation of food crops.
ii.
Adverse climatic changes such as drought and
floods destroy crops/frost/earthquakes, landslides.
iii.
Some areas have infertile soils, which limit
intensive cultivation
iv.
Rapid growth of population of population has
overtaken the pace of food production.
v.
Rural- urban migration has deprived the rural
areas of a strong workforce
vi.
Poor infrastructure has increased the cost of
farming discouraging farmers/hinders the marketing of goods/food
distribution/increases farming costs.
vii.
Lack of capital to buy farm implements limits
the amount of food that can Produced
/heavy foreign debts burden.
viii.
Poor farming methods lead to low yields
ix.
Prevalence to plant and animals diseases
reduce food production/pests e.g. Ticks/tsetse fly/locust.
x.
Destruction human activities have led to soil
erosion resulting to poor yields.
xi.
The declining popularity of indigenous and
dough-resistant crops has made farmers not to produce them/selecting eating
habits discourage people from growing food they don’t like.
xii.
In some parts of the Third world countries
political instability has created insecurity thus people are not able to engage
in food production.
xiii.
Over dependency on donations and foreign aid
and hasn’t and people to be reluctant to grow food crops.
xiv.
Poor implementation of food policies has led
to inadequate food production/ poor government policies.
xv.
HIV/AIDS pandemic has reduced work force
leading to low production.
2010 p2 qn 18b) Explain
five causes of food shortages to Africa today.
i.
Many parts of Africa experience little or no
rain at all over several years leading to crop failure and hence food shortages/natural
hazards.
ii.
The rapid population growth rate has overtaken
food production rate resulting into food shortages.
iii.
Inadequate/food storage facilities had
contributed to food wastages as farmers cannot store food for a long period.
iv.
Poor state of roads in many African countries
hinders transportation of food from the areas of surplus to those of deficit.
v.
Low prices of food stuff has discouraged many
farmers who may have invested so much capital leading to food shortages.
vi.
Many farmers in Africa lack enough capital to
buy required farm inputs.
vii.
Due to crop diseases and pest, a lot of food
is destroyed either on the farms or in stores resulting to food shortages.
viii.
The emphasis on cash crop farming at the
expense of food crops has contributed to low food production leading to food
shortages.
ix.
Environmental degradation through
deforestation/overgrazing of animals had led to soil erosion leading to
wasteland, hence low food production/desertification.
x.
Civil wars in many African countries have
displaced people from their farms and therefore diverted their attention from
farming resulting in food shortages.
xi.
Poor food policies have discouraged farmers as
they are not given enough incentives in case of crop failure/poor economic
planning.
xii.
The young-able bodied persons migrate to urban
centres thus leaving farming to the aged who are not able to contribute much
towards food production.
xiii.
HIV and AIDS pandemic has impacted negatively
on the labour force in food production.
xiv.
Poor land tenure system/land fragmentation has
reduced the acreage that would have been used for production scarcity.
xv.
Over reliance/dependence on famine relief
food/other forms of aid has made people not to look for permanent solutions to
food shortages.
xvi.
Lack of modern farming methods her led to low
food production. Any 5 x 2 = 10
marks
Ø Starvation, which has
been widely experienced.
Ø The Refugee crisis. As
people flee or migrate from their home countries mainly due to starvation,
countries to which they flee (host-countries) strain their resources in trying
to accommodate such refugees.
Ø Social problems such
as cattle raids among pastoralist communities, which have caused heavy loss of
life and property.
Ø Dependence on food
aid.
Ø Disruption of
children’s education due to constant search for food.
Ø Poor economic
development as hungry people can hardly concentrate on work.
Ø Stagnation of the agro
based industries such as sugar milling factories.
Ø
A lot of unemployment since most industries in
the third world are agro based e.g. baking and confectionery, milk processing,
etc..
2007 p2 qn 18. a)
State three ways in which people in developing countries are affected by food shortages. (3marks)
i.
It has led to deaths of hundreds of people due
to famine.
ii.
Increased suffering as many people due to
famine.
iii.
It has led to social problems like raids and
theft.
iv.
It had caused migration of people affected by
food shortage.
v.
It affects agricultural based industries.
2007 p2 qn 18. b)
Explain six ways that the developing countries can use to reduce the problem of
food shortages. (12 marks)
i.
Land reclamation through irrigation or
draining swamps.
ii.
Extensive research on better quality animal
and crop breeds and on how to control pests and diseases.
iii.
Establishment of agricultural training
institutes to train agricultural officers.
iv.
Soil conservation and restoration as well as
forestation and re- a forestation.
v.
Encouraging people to eat different types of
food especially indigenous foods.
vi.
Control the rate of population growth through
family planning.
vii.
Use of democracy and diplomacy to solve
political problems.
viii.
The governments are trying to subsidize by
providing farmers with seeds and tools
Revision Questions
- What factors enabled early
agriculture to develop?
- Describe the development of
the early agriculture in Egypt and Mesopotamia.
- What were the benefits of the
domestication of animals and plants to the early man?
- Identify the impact of the
development of early agriculture in Egypt and Mesopotamia.
- How did the Agrarian
Revolution in Britain contribute to the Agrarian Revolution in USA?
- a)
Explain the causes of food shortages in the developing countries.
b) How have the governments
concerned tried to rectify the problems of food shortages in the developing
countries?
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