O-LevelPakistan StudiesThe environment of PakistanOct/Nov 2015 · Q325 Marks

Study Fig. 4 and Fig. 5, which give information for rice production and the area over which it is sown during four years. [Figure 4 and Figure 5] What was the production in 2008?

(a)(i)Study Fig. 4 and Fig. 5, which give information for rice production and the area over which it is sown during four years. [Figure 4 and Figure 5] What was the production in 2008?[1]
(a)(ii)What is the difference between the maximum and minimum area sown during these years?[1]
(a)(iii)Suggest two reasons why rice production varies from year to year.[2]
(b)Study Fig. 6 which shows date and almond growing regions in Pakistan. [Figure 6]
(b)(i)Describe the distribution of the areas where almonds are grown.[3]
(b)(ii)Why are the areas shown on the map suitable for growing dates?[3]
(b)(iii)Explain the difficulties in finding and reaching markets for almonds, dates and other fruit grown in Pakistan.[4]
(c)(i)Describe what is meant by ‘subsistence farming'.[2]
(c)(ii)Explain why some farmers are subsistence farmers.[3]
(d)Explain why livestock is an important part of the agricultural sector. To what extent is it possible to develop livestock farming further 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 2015). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

5600 000 tons / 5.6 million tons Accept 5500000 – 5700000
600000 hectares Accept 570000 – 630000
Varies with area sown/direct correlation with area sown
In low years droughts/floods/too cold/rain too heavy/unreliable
In high years favourable weather
If neither of above two lines accept: 'rainfall varies'
Pest attack
Rice price/whether support price
Demand = 0
Central Balochistan / Khuzdar/Kalat/Mastung
N/NE Balochistan / Pishin/Zhob/Qila Saifullah/Loralai/Kohlu/Barkhan/Musa Khel
S/SW KPK/FATA / S Waziristan
Near boundary of Balochistan and KPK/Waziristan/FATA
Upper/lower = 0
Close to R. Indus in Punjab/Sindh
In oases [in Balochistan]
[In Bolochistan] where irrigated by Karez from the foothills
If none of above three lines accept: ‘close to a water source'
Can withstand dry conditions found in these areas/have deep roots/do not require much water/rainfall
Can be grown in hot regions/is a tropical fruit/where large temperature fluctuations/can withstand high temperatures
'Suits'/'likes' = 0 Warm = 0 Soil = 0
Poor [cold] storage facilities (and fruit is a perishable good)
Poor named infrastructure e.g. roads/ports/transport system (causing delays and wastage of product))
Lack of processing/packaging facilities( therefore not accepted in international markets)
Lack of quality control (e.g. mangoes not treated for pests/insects) (limiting export markets)
Strong competition in export markets (e.g. mangoes from India/citrus fruits from China)
Used as subsistence crops (and therefore do not reach markets)
Long distance to market (increasing transport costs)
Accept development of points (examples in parentheses)
Accept sensible use of a development point as a stand-alone point
Do not credit same explanation more than once
Products consumed by family/ to meet needs of family
Not commercial/not for sale
Natural inputs/ example described e.g. dung used as fertiliser / traditional farming implements/tools / small output / small-scale Surplus = 0
Land is small size/marginal/infertile/fragmented (therefore unable to use machinery/tractors)
Poverty (therefore need to grow own food) (cannot afford modern inputs/named modern input)
Lack of markets/access to market
Lack of named modern inputs e.g. HYVs / machinery/technology / artificial fertilisers
Lack of education/skills/illiterate
Power of landords/Zamindari system
Remote from markets/shops (and therefore need to feed themselves)
Accept development of points (examples in parentheses)
Accept sensible use of a development point as a stand-alone point
Draft power/transport in rural areas (e.g. Persian Wheel)
Food /meat/milk/eggs (for fast growing population)
Dung as manure
Dung as a fuel source (domestic or biogas)
Source of raw materials/hides/skins/wool/hair/bones (especially for cottage industries/export potential/food processing industries)
Government farms/initiatives (scientific/cross breeding for better quality/higher fertility rates / better diets/early weaning diets for higher yields / training of vets for disease control)
Large scale multi-national/Australian dairy/poultry farms
Poor systems of storage/marketing
High price of animal feed (especially if in or near cities, e.g. buffalo rearing)
Little access to vets/animal healthcare (and cannot be afforded by most poor farmers)
Poor drainage/waste disposal (e.g. much buffalo rearing still within cities causing lack of hygiene)
Shortage of funds