AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES
PAPER 2 (P2)
GRADE 12
NSC PAST PAPERS AND MEMOS
SEPTEMBER 2016

MEMORANDUM

SECTION A 
QUESTION 1. 1                                                                                   QUESTION 1.2 
1.1.1 C √√                                                                                            1.2.1 D √√ 
1.1.2 A √√                                                                                             1.2.2 H √√ 
1.1.3 B √√                                                                                             1.2.3 A √√ 
1.1.4 D √√                                                                                             1.2.4 J √√ 
1.1.5 B √√                                                                                             1.2.5 G √√         (5 x 2) (10)
1.1.6 A √√ 
1.1.7 C √√ 
1.1.8 A √√ 
1.1.9 D √√ 
1.1.10 B √√        (10 x 2) (20) 
QUESTION 1.3                                                                                  QUESTION 1.4 
1.3.1 Gene gun/Biolistics √√                                                             1.4.1 Genes √ 
1.3.2 Grant √√                                                                                   1.4.2 shortage/under production √
1.3.3 Liabilities √√                                                                             1.4.3 Land/natural resources √
1.3.4 Seasonal worker √√                                                                 1.4.4 marketing mix √ 
1.3.5 Species crossing √√                                                                 1.4.5 Threats √ 
(5 x 2) (10)                                                                                        (5 x 1) (5) 

TOTAL SECTION A: 45

SECTION B 
QUESTION 2: AGRICULTURAL MANAGEMENT AND MARKETING
2.1

2.1.1 Description marked XX 

Surplus √ (1)

2.1.2 Explanation to QUESTION 2.1.1. 

• • The quantity supplied exceeds/is more than √ the quantity  demanded. √
  • The quantity demanded is lower/less than √ the quantity  supplied.
  • There is over supply of the product. √√ (Any 1 x 2) (2)

2.1.3 Identification of letter K and lines MM and BB 
K = equilibrium price √
MM = Supply curve √ 
BB = Demand curve √ (3)

2.2

2.2.1 Difference between marketing and selling. 

2.2.2 Functions of agricultural marketing 

• • Transport √ 
  • Storage √ 
  • Packaging √ 
  • Processing √ 
  • Standardisation √ 
  • Grading √ 
  • Financing √ 
  • Risk bearing √ 
  • Market intelligence √ 
  • Product design and promotion √ 
  • Customer support √  

OR 

• • Exchange functions √
  • Physical functions √ 
  • Facilitating functions √ (Any 2 x 1) (2)

2.2.3 How eco-labelling influences consumers 

• • Eco-labels certify that the product was produced in an  environmentally friendly way. √ 
  • They enable consumers to compare green shops. √ 
  • It shows consumers how resources were used and managed  during the production of the product. √ (Any 2 x 1) (2)

2.2.4 Reasons for processing meat 

• • It reduces wastage/decomposition √ 
  • It provides job opportunities. √ 
  • It increases the value of the meat √ 
  • It is a way of overcoming over-supply of the product √ 
  • It allows for easier packing and handling. √ 
  • The products have a longer shelf life. √ (Any 2 x 1) (2)

2.3

2.3.1 Definition of marketing chain 

• • The flow of products from production point (farm) √ to  consumption point (consumer). √ (2)

2.3.2 Post-harvest management of the marketing chain 

• • Collection √ 
  • Selection/grading/standardisation √ 
  • Packaging √ 
  • Transformation √ 
  • Added value √ 
  • Transport √ 
  • Sale of product √ (Any 2 x 1) (2)

2.3.3 Classification 

(a) Value adding – supply chain √ (1)
(b) Packaging – supply chain √ (1)
(c) Cash flow and profitability – demand chain √ (1)

2.4

2.4.1 Explanation of co-operative society 
Group(s) of farmers/people who unite voluntarily √ to meet their  mutual needs, whether economic or social. √ (2)
2.4.2 Benefits of agricultural cooperative 

• • They have more bargaining power. √ 
  • Potential for growth. √ 
  • Economies of scale through pooling resources. √ 
  • They have access to better infrastructure. √ 
  • They have access to professional expertise. √ 
  • Middleman is eliminated. √ 
  • They make bulk purchases. √ 
  • They have access to funding. √ 
  • They develop branding for themselves √ (Any 2 x 1) (2)

2.5

2.5.1 Characteristics of a buyer who is a traditionalist 

• • Will not buy new products and will try to convince other consumers  not to either. √ 
  • Will only buy products that they know and that are generally  accepted as the preferred choice. √ 
  • They make up only a small part of consumers. √ (Any 2 x 1) (2)

2.5.2 Ways sellers could make profit from the scenario

• • By promoting what they sell √
  • By adopting different approaches to market their goods. √ (2)

2.5.3 Ways to promote sales 

• • Advertise through newspapers, television, radio, magazines  etc. √ 
  • In-store promotion √ 
  • Direct mailing through mobile phones, posts. √ 
  • Trade fairs and exhibitions. √ 
  • Personal selling √ (Any 2 x 1) (2)

2.6 Difference between niche marketing and stock sales 

Niche marketing – The focus is on selling to a small segment of the market  that is not served by mainstream produce suppliers. √ 
Stock sales – Livestock are sold on auction at a sale yard to the highest bidder. √ (2)

[35]

QUESTION 3: PRODUCTION FACTORS  
3.1

3.1.1 Very scarce farm labourer 

• • Tractor operator/the skilled labourer/A √ (1)

3.1.2 Reasons to QUESTION 3.1.1 

• • A skilled labourer √ 
  • He/she requires specialised training √ 
  • He/he offers special service √ (Any 2 x 1) (2)

3.1.3 Methods to improve economic conditions for worker 

• •  Provide incentives for workers √ 
  • Paying higher salaries √ 
  • Pay bonuses √ 
  • Entering into partnership deals with workers √ 
  • Providing medical insurance √ 
  • Supplying farm products such as oranges or milk to workers at  reduced prices. √ (Any 2 x 1) (2)

3.1.4 Laws that could apply 

1. 1. Occupational Health and Safety Act √ (1)
   2. Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) Act √ (1)

3.2

3.2.1 Calculations

Total amount invested 
R15 000,00 + R28 000,00 + R20 000,00 √ = R63 000,00 √ 
Gross income R73 000,00 
Profit/loss R73 000,00 – R63 000,00 = R10 000,00 √ profit √ (3)

3.2.2 Methods used to raise the capital 

• • Borrowed money from the bank
  • Borrowed money from a friend
  • Sold chickens (Any 2 x 1) (2)

3.2.3 Methods the manager could use to create capital 

• • ∙Own savings √ (2)

3.2.4 Document that shows expected income and expenditure

• • Budget √ (1)

3.3

3.3.1 Characteristic of land in photograph 

• • Agricultural land is limited. √ (1)

3.3.2 Justification 

• • The land/mountainous land is not suitable for commercial farming. √ 
  • Agricultural land with high production potential is limited. √
  • Agricultural land varies in production potential √ (Any 2 x 1) (2)

3.3.3 Functions of land as a factor of production in agriculture 

• • It provides space for agricultural activities √
  • It is a source of minerals √
  • It provides food for plants and animals √ 
  • It is an asset that can be used as a collateral √ 
  •  It is a source of raw materials √ (Any 3 x 1) (3)

3.3.4 Scientific way to improve productivity of land 

• • Improving soil fertility/application of fertilisers √ 
  • Improving water management/irrigation √ 
  • Changing cropping practices and farming systems √ 
  • Restoring land potential/soil reclamation √ 
  • Farming land more efficiently/consolidating small fields √  (Any 2 x 1) (2) 

3.4

3.4.1 Why managing a poultry farm is different from managing a  shop. 

• • The kind and daily duties involved when managing a poultry  farm. √
  • The management of layers involved in farming √ 
  • Specific skills needed for different farming operations √  (Any 2 x 1) (2)

3.4.2 Specific management skills 

1. 1. Financial management √
   2. Labour management √
   3. Crises management √ (3)

3.4.3 Production risks in crop production 

• • Weather hazards/drought/hail/storm √ 
  • Pests/rodents √ 
  • Fire √
  • Equipment breakdown √ (Any 2 x 1) (2)

3.5  
Criteria for marking 

• • Correct heading/title √
  • Correct labelling of X-axis and Y-axis √ 
  • Correct scaling, using ruler √ 
  • Line graph √ 
  • Correct plotting on line graph √ (5)

[35] 

QUESTION 4: BASIC AGRICULTURAL GENETICS 
4.1

4.1.1 Calculation of EBV (Estimated Breeding Value) 

Average weaning weight of the animals = 22,5 kg 
Weaning weight of male animal = 24,6 kg 
Weaning weight of female animal = 23,7 
EBV of male = 24,6 kg − 22,5 kg √ = +2,1 kg √ 
EBV of female = 23,7 kg − 22,5 kg √ = +1,2 kg √ (4)

4.1.2 Expected genetic gain 

(EBV of male + EBV of female) ÷ 2 x 50% 
(2,1 kg + 1,2 kg) ÷ 2 x 50% √ 
3,3 ÷ 2 x 0,5 
= 0,81 kg √ (Any 2 x 1) (2)

4.2

4.2.1 Punnet square √ 

(4) 

4.2.2 Percentage of white-faced bull in F2 generation 

F2 generation 
White (QQ) will be 3 
Black (qq)will be 1 
Percentage of white (QQ) = ¾ x 100 √ = 75% √√ (3)

4.2.3 Appropriate genetic term 

• • Variation (1)

4.2.4 Difference between phenotype and genotype 
Phenotype: 

• • The visible or observable characteristics of an individual. √

Genotype: 

• • The genetic composition of an individual. √ (2)

4.3

4.3.1 Chromosomes of the zygote 

• • 58 √ + XX chromosomes √ (2)

4.3.2 Gender of offspring in QUESTION 4.3.1 

• • Female (1)

4.4 Definitions of terms 

1. Mutation – a sudden random change √ in the genetic composition/  material (DNA) cell. √ (2) 
2. Out crossing – crossing of a line-bred breed √ with an unrelated  breed. √ (2) 

4.5

4.5.1 Aims of genetic modification in plants 

• • Indirectly improving crop yield by making it easier to manage  pests, diseases and weeds that can interbreed. √
  • Directly improving crop yield by improving tolerance to extreme  environmental conditions. √
  • Improving commercial properties, such as flavour and shelf life. √
  • Increasing the nutritional value of crops (biofortification). √
  • Producing pharmaceutical crops that produce proteins, drugs  and vaccines for humans. √ (Any 2 x 1) (2)

4.5.2 Advantages of GMO over traditional methods 

• • GMO is faster √ 
  • It is precise √ 
  • It is not limited to crossing species √ 
  • Genes from a micro-organism can be transferred to the DNA of  a plant and the other way round. √ (Any 2 x 1) (2) 

4.5.3 Disadvantages of inbreeding 

• • Expert knowledge needed as it can be a complicated method √
  • No certainty that a superior inbred line with outstanding traits  will be produced. √ 
  • Bad characteristics may become so fixed that they cannot be  bred out. √ 
  • Reduced vigour and production √ 
  • Deformed animals occur more frequently √ 
  • Inbreeding depression may occur √ 
  • Leads to decrease in variation √ (Any 2 x 1) (2)

4.5.4 Pedigree selection 
It is a selection based on the records of an individual’s ancestors  on both the mother’s and father’s side. √√ 
Progeny selection 
Selection of individuals based on the records of their offspring. √√  (2 + 2) (4) 

4.6 Environmental causes of variation in plants 

• • Soil factors √ 
  • Sunlight √ 
  • Water √ 
  • Temperature √ 
  • Pest and diseases √ (Any 2 x 1) (2)

[35] 
TOTAL SECTION B: 105 
GRAND TOTAL: 150