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A group of unemployed young people in a rural community were granted 50 ha of land by a local chief to use to generate an income for themselves - NSC Agricultural Sciences - Question 3 - 2016 - Paper 2
Question 3
A group of unemployed young people in a rural community were granted 50 ha of land by a local chief to use to generate an income for themselves. They grew maize, whi... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:A group of unemployed young people in a rural community were granted 50 ha of land by a local chief to use to generate an income for themselves - NSC Agricultural Sciences - Question 3 - 2016 - Paper 2
Step 1
Identify TWO economic characteristics of the land in the case study.
Answer
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Land is subject to the law of diminishing returns: This indicates that as more units of a variable input (e.g., fertiliser) are added to a fixed input (land), the additional output produced will eventually decrease.
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Land is durable: This means that land can maintain its productivity over time, allowing for continuous agriculture without the depletion of its resources.
Step 2
Explain the characteristic in QUESTION 3.1.1 that is associated with fertilisers and yield.
Answer
The law of diminishing returns highlights that applying more fertilisers does not necessarily lead to a proportional increase in yield. Initially, as fertilisers are applied, there might be a significant boost in yield; however, beyond a certain point, the increase in yield will begin to decrease. This means that while fertilisers can enhance productivity, their efficacy has limits.
Step 3
State TWO functions of land from the case study.
Answer
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Production of food: The land enables the growing of maize, which serves as a source of food and income for the individuals involved.
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Provision of physical space for industry: The agricultural activity on the land supports local economic development, providing job opportunities and enhancing community resilience.
Step 4
Indicate TWO ways in which the group of young people could increase the production potential of the land.
Answer
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Changing cropping systems: Implementing scientific methods such as intercropping or crop rotation can enhance soil fertility and reduce pest problems.
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Restoring land potential: Addressing issues such as land degradation or erosion can improve the productivity of the land, allowing for better yields in the future.