1.

Define the following terms:

a) Farming system

Farming system is a decision making unit comprising the farm household,

cropping and livestock system that transform land, capital and labour into useful
products that can be consumed or sold or it is a resource management strategy to
achieve economic and sustained production to meet diverse requirement to farm
household while presenting resources base and maintaining a high level
environmental quality.

b) Farm layout

A Farm layout refers to the compiling of physical structures such as homesteads,

outbuildings, waterways, contours, camps, water supply, roads and the layout of
orchards, vineyards or lands.

c) Rotation programme

2. State and explain the following

a) Factors determining farming system in Kenya.

 Physical factors e.g. climate

Climate factors include:

Temperature: Most plants cannot grow if the temperature falls below 6°C or the soil is frozen for
five consecutive months. As a consequence many areas are unsuitable for crop cultivation.

The growing season: The number of days between the last frost of the spring and the first of the
autumn. Different crops require different lengths of growing season.

Altitude: This affects temperature so it also affects farming. In the Alps for example you will
find dairy farming in valley bottoms and coniferous forestry further up.

Rainfall: Water is obviously a key factor in plant growth. The greater the average temperature
the greater the amount of water required for plant growth. Seasonal variation is important as
different crops require water at different times

Wind: Wind can have a destructive effect on crops. At its most severe a hurricane can physically
destroy thousands of acres of farmland. Less severe but also harmful are the winds that dry soils
so reducing moisture and increasing the potential for soil erosion.
Soil: Soil type will influence crop cultivation because different crops prefer different soils.Clay
soils with their high water retention are well suited to rice whilst sandy soils with good drainage
are good for root vegetables.

Slope: The angle of slope will affect the type, depth and moisture content of soil. It will also
affect the rate of soil erosion. Some of the most unique farming landscapes of Bali are a
consequence of having to cultivate steep slopes that are prone to soil erosion

 Human factors e.g.

Land tenure: In the developed world a large percentage of farmers are owner-occupiers.
Consequently they have a large incentive to become more efficient and improve land and
buildings. The extent of their investment and success will depend on the market place and
political systems.

Market: For any commercial farm to succeed there must be demand. If the demand for a crop
drops then profits will fall. That crop will then be replaced by a more profitable one

Capital: In the developed world there is a well-established system of supportive banks, private
investors and government subsidies. This means that agriculture is likely to be capital intensive
and highly mechanized. Cereal growing and dairy farming are good examples.

Technology: New technology is always increasing efficiency and yields but technology costs
money. Therefore the gap between the developed and developing world is growing

Government policies: this will have a direct or indirect effect on the prevalent agricultural
system. The communist governments encourage collectives as already seen whilst farming in
Europe is indirectly manipulated by the agricultural policies of the European Union.

b) Factors to consider when planning for a farm lay out

 Climatic factors: they include rainfall, temperature, relative humidity, wind direction, etc.
These factors must be favorable to the plants and/or animals to be raised.
 Edaphic factors: these are soil related factors such as soil fertility, structure, texture,
consistency, porosity, etc. These factors determine the kind of crop that will grow in the
land.
 Environmental factor: farms should not be sited in places that are prone to flooding,
erosion, and other forms of land degradation except they are been used as control
measures.
 Government policies: some governments have various rules guiding agricultural
practices. These policies should be considered before sitting a farm.
 Economic factors: these factors are of topmost importance if the agricultural business will
survive. A feasibility study is conducted to make sure that there will enough returns to
sustain the farm
 Accessibility: A farm that is managed as a business must have access to supplies,
equipment, and the market. It must be provided with infrastructures (e.g. roads)
 Labor supply and cost: Skilled labor must be available at reasonable cost. Otherwise,
laborers from other parts of the country may have to be imported.
 Security and political stability: The farm should be secure from thieves and astray
animals. Otherwise, additional investment may be provided for fencing or security
personnel

3. Describe characteristics of small-scale farming systems in developing countries

 Very small farm size- Farm size is very small in the tropics. The mean farm size is often
less than four hectares.
 Farm sizes are influenced by ecological and socio-economic factors. Increased human
population results in smaller farms
 There is flexibility of labour on small farms. It is easier to take decision on what is to be
done.
 It may also be difficult for the extension and marketing agents to transmit knowledge
since most farmers are on their own and are not organized into cooperatives.
 Predominance of hand labour, Small scale farming is largely dependent on hand labour
cultivation
 Tools utilized are usually inexpensive and readily available and the skills required are
already there.
 There is no need for special training unlike in use of machines
 Predominance of mixed cropping or intercropping is a widespread cropping practice in
the tropics with stability of yield as it minimizes risk against crop failure.
 Priority for subsistence food crops it is characteristic to produce first food for home
consumption before any consideration for cash crop. A food crop can become cash crop
when produced in surplus
4.