O-LevelGeographyEconomic development2217/12 · May/June 2024 · Q525 Marks

Study Figs. 5.1 and 5.2 (Insert), maps of South Africa, in southern Africa. Fig. 5.1 shows the main agricultural land uses. Fig. 5.2 shows the annual rainfall.

(a)(i)What agricultural land use occupies the largest area in South Africa?[1]
(a)(ii)Using Fig. 5.1 only, identify two crops grown within 100 km of Pretoria. 1 2[2]
(a)(iii)Using Figs. 5.1 and 5.2 only, explain how the amount of rainfall influences agricultural land use.[3]
(a)(iv)Some parts of South Africa experience tropical storms. Describe the problems this may create for farmers.[4]
(b)(i)Study Figs. 5.3 and 5.4 (Insert), photographs of two different types of farm. State three differences between the farms shown in Figs. 5.3 and 5.4. 1 2 3[3]
(b)(ii)Explain how agricultural output can be increased.[5]
(c)For a farm or agricultural system which you have studied, describe the inputs, processes and outputs. You may draw a systems diagram. Name of farm or agricultural system ................................................................[7]

This question uses a diagram from the original paper, which isn't shown here. Open the full paper from the past papers archive to see it.

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (May/June 2024). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

[1] Grazing and mixed farming 1 mark
[2] Vegetables; Tobacco; Fruit. 2 @ 1 mark
[3] High rainfall - sugar cane/arable farming/crops; Medium rainfall – arable farming/crops/grazing and mixed farming; Low rainfall - grazing and mixed farming; Very low rainfall no agriculture. 3 @ 1 mark
[4] Loss of income/starvation/hunger; Flooding of farmland/crops; Waterlogging of soils; Death of/destruction of/damage to crops/fruit trees/damage to crops in storage etc.; Reduction of yields; Loss of livestock/farm animals; (Damage to/blocking of roads) prevents transportation of produce to market/from fields; Damage to greenhouses/farm buildings/machinery/tools; Fertilisers/topsoil/nutrients washed away/soil erosion/gullying/declining soil fertility; Salination of soil; Etc. 4 @ 1 mark
[3] Fig. 5.3 is arable/crops/rice but Fig. 5.4 is pastoral/animals /livestock/sheep/grazing; Fig. 5.3 is subsistence/feed themselves but Fig. 5.4 is commercial/make a profit; Fig. 5.3 is intensive but Fig. 5.4 is extensive; Fig. 5.3 is irrigated but Fig. 5.4 is not; Fig. 5.3 has smaller fields/5.4 has bigger fields; Fig. 5.3 has (mud) bunds/banks around field but Fig. 5.4 has trees/walls; Etc. 3 @ 1 mark
[5] Fertilisers/manure; Crop rotation; Irrigation; Terracing; Pesticides/insecticides/herbicides; Mechanisation; Removal of hedgerows/trees to enlarge available land; Glasshouses/polytunnels; Intercropping; Improved varieties of plants or e.g. IR8 rice, drought tolerant, GM crops; Selective breeding of animals; Land reform/consolidation of holdings; Educate farmers about...; Veterinary help for animals or e.g.; Erect fences around fields of crops/animals; Keep animals indoors or e.g. battery hens/automated systems e.g. for feeding; Aquaculture; Hydroponics; Aeroponics; Vertical farming; Etc. Note: Explanation can be credited as DEV. 5 @ 1 mark or development
[7] Level 1 (1–3 marks) Statements including limited detail which describe inputs, processes or outputs. Level 2 (4–6 marks) Uses named example of farm or farming system. More developed or linked statements which describe inputs, processes or outputs. i.e., dev should be description not explanation (Note: Max. 5 if no named or inappropriate example.) Level 3 (7 marks) Uses named example. Comprehensive and accurate statements which describe inputs, processes and outputs including some place specific reference. Content guide: Inputs, processes and outputs will depend on the example chosen. Inputs could include: Seeds; Soil; Rainfall; Temperature; Machinery; Animals; Fertiliser; Labour; Etc. Processes could include: Ploughing; Harvesting; Milking; Shearing; Weeding; Irrigating; Feeding animals; Etc. Outputs could include: Products from crops; Products from animals; Waste products; Etc.