(a) State seven ways in which agriculture is important to the economy of West Africa....

Explanation

(a)Importance of agriculture to the economy of West Africa

• Source of food;
• Source of income;
• Source of employment;
• Provides market for industrial goods such as agrochemicals, machines;
• Provides raw materials for industries e.g. textile industry;
• Provides means of foreign exchange/revenue;
• Source of medicinal herbs;
• Source of materials for shelter;
• Facilitates rural development/social amenities;
• Provision of facilities for recreation and tourism.

(b)Disadvantages of sources of farm power

(i)Internal combustion engine

• It is very expensive to maintain;
• Smoke from engines pollute the air;
• Heavy machine compacts the soil;
• Expensive to purchase;
• Requires much technical know-how to operate and maintain;
• It depends on fuel which may not be readily available.

(ii) Electricity

• Its supply is erratic;
• Could be dangerous if not properly/carefully handled;
• High cost of installation/maintenance;
• It cannot be widely used in field operations;
• Could cause fire outbreak;
• It requires technical know-how.

(iii)Wind

• Its supply is erratic/uncertain/cannot be controlled
• Its use is limited to certain farm operations
• It cannot be stored
• High technical expertise to harness/maintain;
• Noise pollution.

(c)Operations that could be carried out in poultry production through the use of

electrical power

• Hatching of eggs - Debeaking
• Defeathering/plucking of feathers - Automated feeding
• Incubation