Agricultural Science: Atoll Crops, Soil and Farm Planning
What the paper tests
Agricultural Science tests crop and livestock production, soil and water management, pests and diseases, and farm planning in Kiribati's atoll environment. Answers should be practical and suited to local conditions.
Core rules
- Atoll soils are sandy, often alkaline, low in organic matter and vulnerable to saltwater intrusion; compost and mulch improve fertility and water retention.
- Babai (giant swamp taro) is grown in pits enriched with organic matter; coconuts and breadfruit are major tree crops.
- Crop rotation and mixed cropping reduce pest buildup and spread risk.
- Livestock need shade, clean water and balanced feed; manure can be composted but should not be fresh on edible crops.
- Calculate plant population and yield with consistent units.
Worked example
A rectangular plot is 24 m by 12 m. Recommended spacing is 3 m by 3 m. Area per plant = 3 x 3 = 9 m². Plot area = 24 x 12 = 288 m². Number of plants = 288 / 9 = 32. The reasoning is to divide total area by the area occupied by one plant; using perimeter instead of area would be wrong.
Traps
- Using perimeter instead of area in spacing calculations.
- Mixing metres and centimetres.
- Ignoring salinity and the freshwater lens when recommending crops.
- Recommending temperate crops without irrigation or shade.
- Confusing a pest with a disease.