O-LevelPakistan StudiesThe environment of Pakistan2059/20 · Oct/Nov 2012 · Q325 Marks

Study Fig. 4 which shows an irrigation system. [Figure 4.0]

(a)(i)Name the irrigation system shown in Fig. 4.[1]
(a)(ii)Name an area of Pakistan where it is used.[1]
(a)(iii)Explain how this system provides water for agriculture in this area.[4]
(a)(iv)Name a fruit crop grown in this area.[1]
(b)(i)What percentage of land is cultivated?[1]
(b)(ii)What percentage of land is waste?[1]
(b)(iii)Explain how soils are damaged by waterlogging and salinity.[4]
(b)(iv)Explain three reasons, other than by waterlogging and salinity, why over half the land was not cultivated when the survey was made.[6]
(c)To what extent could government action increase agricultural production in Pakistan?[6]

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 (Oct/Nov 2012). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

[1] Karez
[1] Balochistan; Kech Valley / Turbat /Miri / Sharak
[4] rain falls in mountains; drains to the foothills / sinks into ground / groundwater/; travels in tunnels / underground canals; reaches surface / oases; tunnels need maintenance; owned by groups of farmers
[1] dates / apricot / apple / grapes / peaches / melons
[1] 37/38
[1] 13/14/15
[4] Caused by too much irrigation water / misuse of water by illiterate farmers; Seeps from canals; Water table rises / soil becomes too wet / puddles of water; Water rises upwards carrying salts; Evaporates causing salinity; hard crust forms / salt patches; salt poisons crops / crops die; Roots cannot breathe in waterlogged soil
[6] Pasture - grazing; Fallow - to allow soil to rest; Low rainfall / away from canals / desert -infertile, plants cannot grow, no soil; Mountains - steep slopes / lack of soil (accept rugged); Forest - need for; Rivers – may flood; Residential / housing - for large population; Industry – factories need large space; Commercial – eg. city centres; Mineral extraction – plus waste; Pollution - crops die; Roads, railways, airports – for communication; Damage – eg. deforestation, pollution; Wasted by landlords; Very cold; 1 mark for reason, 1 mark for explanation.
[6] Possibilities (res. 2) Improve education eg. model farms, travelling advisors, training centres, colleges; Loans eg. for machinery, HYV, fertiliser; Subsidies eg. for imported machinery, fertiliser prices lower; More fertiliser / pesticides factories or imports; More machinery factories or imports; Land reforms eg. consolidation; Improve water availability eg. reservoirs, canals; Cure of waterlogging and salinity eg. SCARP; Weather forecasts; Media eg. radio, TV; Problems (res. 2); Lack of money; Illiteracy; High population; Other calls on government investment / attention; Fears of unemployment due to mechanisation; Land reforms may fail due to corruption / power of landlords etc.