Define crop rotation, subsistence farming, sedentary agriculture, terracing, and mixed farming. State five problems facing agriculture in Cameroon.

Here are the answers to the questions from Section A: QUESTION 1: a) Define the following agricultural practices: (i) Crop rotation:* The practice of growing different types of crops in sequence on the same piece of land over a period to maintain soil fertility, improve soil structure, and control pests and diseases. (ii) Subsistence farming:* A type of farming where farmers grow food crops and raise livestock primarily to meet the needs of their own family, with little or no surplus for sale. (iii) Sedentary agriculture:* A system of farming where farmers cultivate permanent plots of land, remaining in one location rather than shifting cultivation from one area to another. (iv) Terracing:* A method of farming on steep slopes where a series of level steps or platforms are cut into the hillside to create flat areas for cultivation, reducing soil erosion and water runoff. (v) Mixed farming:* An agricultural system that involves both the growing of crops and the raising of livestock on the same farm, often integrating the two for mutual benefit (e.g., using animal manure as fertilizer). b) State FIVE problems facing agriculture in Cameroon. 1. Low productivity due to reliance on traditional farming methods and limited mechanization. 2. Poor infrastructure, including inadequate roads, storage facilities, and irrigation systems, leading to significant post-harvest losses. 3. Limited access to credit and markets for smallholder farmers, hindering investment and profitability. 4. Vulnerability to climate change impacts, such as droughts, floods, and unpredictable rainfall patterns. 5. Pest and disease outbreaks that frequently destroy crops and livestock, leading to food insecurity. c) Give FIVE solutions to the problems stated in (b) above. 1. Promote the adoption of modern farming techniques, improved seeds, and appropriate mechanization through agricultural extension services. 2. Invest in rural infrastructure, including the construction of all-weather roads, cold storage facilities, and irrigation schemes. 3. Facilitate access to microfinance and agricultural loans for farmers and establish better market linkages. 4. Implement climate-resilient agricultural practices and develop early warning systems for extreme weather events. 5. Strengthen pest and disease control programs and promote integrated pest management strategies. QUESTION 2: a) With the use of a table, classify the following under renewable and non-renewable natural resources: Coal, solar, H.E.P, gold, silver, aluminium, bauxite, petroleum, geothermal and uranium. | Renewable Resources | Non-Renewable Resources | | :------------------ | :---------------------- | | Solar | Coal | | H.E.P (Hydroelectric Power) | Gold | | Geothermal | Silver | | | Aluminium | | | Bauxite | | | Petroleum | | | Uranium | b) From the map of Cameroon provided (fig 1) name FOUR mining towns numbered 1-4. The map of Cameroon (fig 1) is not provided in the image, so this question cannot be answered. c) Explain FOUR factors that have favoured mining in Cameroon. 1. Rich mineral deposits: Cameroon possesses significant reserves of various minerals, including bauxite, iron ore, gold, diamonds, and petroleum, making mining economically viable. 2. Favorable government policies: The government has implemented investment codes and policies aimed at attracting foreign direct investment into the mining sector, offering incentives and a relatively stable regulatory environment. 3. Global demand for raw materials: The increasing international demand for minerals and energy resources provides a strong market for Cameroon's mining output. 4. Ongoing geological exploration: Continuous geological surveys and exploration activities have led to the discovery of new mineral deposits, expanding the potential for mining operations. d) State THREE ways mining is important to the economy of Cameroon. 1. Revenue generation: Mining activities contribute significantly to government revenue through taxes, royalties, and export duties, which can be used for national development. 2. Employment creation: The mining sector provides direct and indirect employment opportunities for a large number of people, reducing unemployment rates. 3. Foreign exchange earnings: The export of minerals and petroleum generates foreign currency, which helps to improve the country's balance of payments and finance imports. QUESTION 3: a) State SIX indicators of underdevelopment. 1. Low Gross National Income (GNI) per capita. 2. High infant mortality rate. 3. Low life expectancy at birth. 4. High illiteracy rates and low levels of educational attainment. 5. High proportion of the workforce engaged in the primary sector (agriculture, fishing, mining). 6. Poor infrastructure (e.g., inadequate roads, electricity, clean water, sanitation). b) Select any TWO indicators in (a) above and explain TWO causes of each. Indicator 1: Low Gross National Income (GNI) per capita 1. Low productivity: Many LEDCs have low productivity in key economic sectors due to a lack of modern technology, skilled labor, and efficient management. 2. High population growth: Rapid population growth often outpaces economic growth, leading to a lower GNI per capita even if the total GNI increases. Indicator 2: High infant mortality rate 1. Inadequate healthcare access: Limited availability of maternal and child healthcare services, including prenatal care, skilled birth attendants, and vaccinations. 2. Poor sanitation and nutrition: Lack of access to clean water, proper sanitation, and nutritious food contributes to widespread diseases and malnutrition among infants. c) Explain FIVE reasons for the slow rate of industrial development in LEDCs. 1. Lack of capital: LEDCs often suffer from insufficient domestic savings and foreign investment, making it difficult to finance the establishment of new industries, purchase machinery, and develop infrastructure. 2. Limited skilled labor: There is often a shortage of trained engineers, technicians, managers, and skilled workers necessary to operate and maintain modern industrial facilities. 3. Small domestic markets: Low purchasing power among the population in LEDCs means there is limited demand for manufactured goods, discouraging industrial expansion. 4. Poor infrastructure: Inadequate and unreliable transport networks, energy supply, and communication systems significantly increase production costs and hinder industrial efficiency. 5. Competition from developed countries: Local industries in LEDCs struggle to compete with established, more efficient, and often cheaper imports from industrialized nations. QUESTION 4: b) SOIL EROSION: definition, causes, consequences, solutions Definition: Soil erosion is the natural process by which the top layer of soil, which is rich in organic matter and nutrients, is detached and transported away by agents such as wind, water, and gravity. It is a significant form of land degradation that reduces soil fertility and productivity. Causes: 1. Deforestation: The removal of trees and vegetation exposes the soil directly to the impact of raindrops and wind, leading to increased erosion. 2. Overgrazing: Excessive grazing by livestock removes protective grass cover, compacts the soil, and leaves it vulnerable to erosion. 3. Poor farming practices: Methods like ploughing up and down slopes, monoculture, and not using cover crops can accelerate soil loss. 4. Climate factors: Intense rainfall, strong winds, and prolonged droughts can exacerbate the rate and severity of soil erosion. 5. Construction and urbanization: Land clearing for buildings, roads, and other infrastructure removes vegetation, exposing the soil to erosive forces. Consequences: 1. Loss of soil fertility: The removal of nutrient-rich topsoil significantly reduces the land's capacity to support plant growth, leading to decreased agricultural yields. 2. Desertification: Severe and prolonged soil erosion can transform fertile land into barren, desert-like conditions, making it unproductive. 3. Water pollution and sedimentation: Eroded soil particles can enter rivers, lakes, and reservoirs, increasing turbidity, carrying pollutants, and reducing water quality and storage capacity. 4. Increased flooding: Compacted and eroded soils have reduced water infiltration rates, leading to increased surface runoff and a higher risk of flash floods. 5. Damage to infrastructure: Sedimentation can clog irrigation channels, drainage systems, and waterways, requiring costly maintenance and repairs. Solutions: 1. Afforestation and Reforestation: Planting trees and other vegetation helps to bind the soil with their roots and