Aae 3113 Farming Systems And Rural Livelihoods Question Paper
Aae 3113 Farming Systems And Rural Livelihoods
Course:Bachelor Of Agribusiness Management
Institution: Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University Of Science And Technology question papers
Exam Year:2013
OASIS OF KNOWLEDGE
JARAMOGI OGINGA ODINGA UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE
AND TECHNOLOGY
UNIVERSITY EXAMINATIONS 2012/2013
1ST YEAR 1ST SEMESTER EXAMINATIONS FOR THE DEGREE
OF BSC. (FOOD SECURITY AND BIODIVERSITY,
AGRIBUSINESS MANAGEMENT, HORTICULTURE AND SOIL
SCIENCE)
(REGULAR)
COURSE CODE: AAE 3113
COURSE TITLE: FARMING SYSTEMS AND RURAL
LIVELIHOODS
DATE: 30/4/2013 TIME: 9.00-11.00AM
DURATION: 2 HOURS
INSTRUCTIONS
1. This paper contains TWO sections.
2. Answer ALL questions in section A (Compulsory) and ANY other Two
questions in section B.
3. Write all answers in the booklet provided.
SECTION A [30 MARKS]
Answer ALL questions from this section.
Question 1
The holistic perspective of farming systems classification is based on a broader goal of
improved livelihoods and greater Household food security.
a) State and briefly explain the four primary determinants influencing farming systems
evolution. (3 Marks)
b) Discuss agriculture as a source of pro-poor growth in the context of farming systems and
rural livelihoods. (2 Marks)
c) List and briefly discuss the core five categories of livelihood assets (5 Marks)
Question 2
The strength of a given livelihood is not only measured by its productive outcome, but equally
by its resilience to shocks, seasonal changes and trends.
a) Distinguish between shocks and trends in the context of livelihood vulnerabilities and in
each case give two examples. (5 Marks)
b) What are livelihood strategies and what do they entail? (2 Marks)
c) Briefly discuss the interdependence characteristics of livelihood strategies. (3 Marks)
Question 3
Taking diversification to mean the adaptation or transformation of the household/rural economy
into new mainly non-agricultural sector;
a) Briefly explain the two contrasting perspectives in relation to the rural diversification
typologies. (2 Marks)
b) Discuss the three examples of rural resource categories underlying the rural advantage in
the context of diversification and non-agricultural livelihoods. (3 Marks)
c) State five outcomes which large scale climate change would result into. (5 Marks)
SECTION B [40 MARKS]
Answer ANY TWO questions from this Section.
Question 4 [20 Marks]
Agricultural production has a seasonal dimension in most places in the world. This seasonality
has significant implications for low-income farmers attempting to secure adequate food supplies
throughout the year. Many farmers suffer every year through a period of deprivation just before
harvesting often referred to as the "hungry season".
a) Briefly explain any four of the adverse effects on the nutritional well-being of low
income farm households associated with the hungry season. (8 Marks)
b) Discuss five detrimental trends which have arisen in relation to cash crop adoption as an
important aspect in the production-consumption linkage. (5 Marks)
c) State and briefly explain four possible effects which income can have on consumption.
(7 Marks)
Question 5 [20 Marks]
After the Government withdrew agricultural support measures following liberalization, food
security started worsening by early 90s and by 2003, the country relied more on imports to fill
food deficits. Thus, to the extent that trade affects agriculture then it affects rural livelihood as
well.
a) Identify and briefly discuss any three factors explaining the Agritrade-Rural livelihoods-
Food security linkages. (6 Marks)
b) State and briefly explain two negative linkages associated with the exploration of
linkages between trade, rural livelihoods and food security. (4 Marks)
c) In a comparative perspective, discus the Kenyan export and import in terms of
magnitude, composition and trade direction. (10 Marks)
Question 6 [ 20 Marks]
Ever since the early 1970s there has been mounting concern at the performance of agriculture in
many parts of Africa, leading to an array of analyses of what has gone wrong and what should be
done to improve the performance.
a) Discuss “lack of effective demand for farm output” as one of the frequently cited
explanations for the disappointing performance of African agriculture. (9 Marks)
b) Briefly explain any three situations defining the current state of food security and
agriculture in Africa. (6 Marks)
c) Define the following terminologies in the context of Farming systems and Rural
livelihood: (i) Safety nets; (ii) Shocks; (iii) The Rural Noon Farm Economy; (iv) Trends;
and (v) Mainstreaming climate change. (5 Marks)
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