AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES
GRADE 12
PAPER 2 
NSC PAST PAPERS AND MEMOS
SEPTEMBER 2017

MEMORANDUM 

SECTION A 

TOTAL SECTION A: 45

SECTION B 
QUESTION 2: AGRICULTURAL MANAGEMENT AND MARKETING
2.1
2.1.1 Reasons why tomatoes are protected in boxes 

•  For easy handling during distribution/transportation. √ 
• For protection against mechanical damage. √ 
• For easy storage and packaging. √ (Any 2 x 1) (2) 

2.1.2 Important packaging information that could attract tomato  buyers. 

•  Produce name √
• Brand of the produce √
• Size √ 
• Variety √ 
• Net weight √
• Count √ 
•  Producer √ 
• Shipper √
• Country of origin √ (Any 2 x 1) (2) 

2.1.3 Reason why materials used for packaging vegetables must not  contain chemicals. 

• Toxic chemicals can be transferred to the vegetables. √ 
• Vegetables may contaminate/absorb chemical odour/unpleasant  smell. √ (Any 1 x 1) (1) 

2.2 2.2.1 The law of supply 

• The higher the supply, the more goods will be supplied. √√ (2)

2.2.2 Functions of agricultural marketing factors affecting supply  

• Price of the product – the higher the price, the more producers  will be willing to supply. √
• Competitive products – if cheaper products enter the market, the  farmer may reduce production. √
• Environmental conditions such as pest infestation can affect  supply. √ 
• Political instability such as war. √
• Expectation of future price changes. √
• When the demand for the product declines, producers will switch  to produce other things. √ 
• Technology – new technology may increase production. √
• Production cost – the higher the cost of production, the less profit  will be made. √
• If government subsidies production, supply is likely to increase. √  (Any 2 x 1) (2)

2.2.3 How the following factors affect the demand of a product. 

1.  Advertisement
   • Advertisement can inform consumers of a new or improvement  in a product. √ This can increase the demand for that  product. √ (2)
2. Quality of a product
   • Demand of a product will increase if the quality of the product  is good. √ If the quality is bad, the demand will  decrease/decline. √ (2) 

2.3 2.3.1

• Correct heading √
• Correct plotting of values √ 
• Labelling and units (Price in Rands) on Y-axis √
• Labelling and units (Quantity of oranges) on X-axis √
• Demand and supply curves √ (5)

2.3.2 Price at market equilibrium 

• R30,00 √ (1)

2.3.3 Why demand for oranges is low at R50,00 

• The price is very high / the higher the price, the lower the demand. √ (1)

2.4 2.4.1 Free marketing 

• It is the marketing of products in an uncontrolled way. √√ (2) 

2.4.2 The main channels of free marketing 

• Farm gate marketing √
• Fresh produce markets
• Stock sales √ 
• Direct marketing √ 
• Internet marketing √
• Auction √ (Any 2 x 1) (2)

2.4.3 Disadvantages of free marketing. 

• Price fluctuates considerably √
• Market cost are high √ 
• The producer is responsible for the marketing of the products √
• The producer has limited bargaining power √
• Producer decision may lead to big financial loss
• Very often cartels are formed and the consumers are exploited √  (Any 2 x 1) (2) 

2.5 2.5.1 Marketing cost that could affect the price of the product 

• Product preparation and packaging costs √
• Handling cost √
• Transport cost √ 
• Product cost √ (Any 3 x 1) (3)

2.5.2 Factors that hamper the marketing of agricultural products 

• Perishability nature of farm produce like meat √
• Agricultural products have high volume with relative low unit  value √ 
• Seasonal fluctuations in production √
• Standardisation of size, taste and appearance vary √ 
• Local restrictions of agricultural production √ 
• Intermediaries required for the marketing of agricultural  products √
• Long production time of certain crops such as wood √  (Any 2 x 1) (2)

2.5.3 Ways to streamline and improve the agri-business chain 

• Improve the competiveness of commercial farmers √
• Increase government control over inferior agricultural products  from overseas √ 
• Improve transportation √ 
• Promote farmer cooperatives √
• Provide access to market information √
• Improve access to storage facilities √
• Improve training and skill development √ 
• Improve local marketing infrastructure and local marketing  networks √ (Any 2 x 1) (2)

2.6 Possible problems that may arise when compiling agri-business  plan. 

• Insufficient research √
• Leaving gaps / being vague / providing too much information √ 
• Insufficient technical detail √
• Overambitious or unrealistic assumptions and projections √
• Incomplete financials √
• Not highlighting potential competition √ 
• Hiding weakness and risks √
• Using the incorrect format √ (Any 2 x 1) (2)

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QUESTION 3: PRODUCTION FACTORS  
3.1 3.1.1 Production factor that could be used as a collateral Land √ (1)
3.1.2 Justification 

• The value of land appreciates with time √ 
• Land ownership is easily transferable √
• The value of land can be convertible √
• Land can easily be sold at any time √ (Any 2 x 1) (2) 

3.1.3 Explanation of “the availability of land for agricultural  purposes is limited”. 

• Land for cultivation/tillage/production or agricultural purposes  is restricted √ to specific areas. √
• Land for agricultural purposes cannot be produced. √ 
• It is fixed. √ (Any 2 x 1) (2)

3.1.4 Economic characteristics of land 

• It is a primary factor of production √
• It is indestructible √
• It varies in production potential √
• It can be bought and sold √ 
• Its value appreciates √
• It is a passive factor of production √ (Any 2 x 1) (2)

3.2 3.2.1 (3) 

3.2.2 Worker who could be in highest demand by a livestock  farmer 

• Veterinarian √ (1)

3.2.3 Reason 

• Skilled workers are scarce and demand for them is high. √
• It takes a long time to train a veterinarian. √ 
• Only the veterinarian is more useful to the livestock farmer. √  (Any 1 x 1) (1) 

3.2.4 Methods to improve the economic conditions of the apple  picker 

• Provide him with incentives √
• Pay higher salary √ 
• Pay bonuses √
• Entering into partnership deals with the worker √
• Provide medical insurance √
• Supply farm products such as milk √ (Any 2 x 1) (2)

3.2.5 The legislation that can best help the apple picker 

• Basic Conditions of Employment Act/Skills Development Act √ (1)

3.3 3.3.1 The type of document in 3.3. 

• Enterprise budget √ (1)

3.3.2 Justification of answer to QUESTION 3.3.1. 

• The record is a plan or a record of the money spent on and  earned √ by only one enterprise (tomato). √ (2)

3.3.3 Two types of capital with examples 

• Movable capital e.g. tractor √
• Working capital e.g. fertiliser, tomato seedlings, insecticides  storage boxes √ (2)

3.3.4 Profit or loss of the farmer. 

• Total income = 15 250,92 √
  Expenditure = 4 521,25 √
  Profit = R15 250,92 – R4 521,25 = R10 729,67 √ (3)

3.3.5 Sources of capital to the farm worker 

• A commercial bank that supplies credit to the general public √ 
• Financial institutions such as land bank or Ithala Development Finance Corporation Ltd √
• A trust company √
• A potential business partner √
• Agricultural cooperatives and agribusinesses √ (Any 2 x 1) (2)

3.4 3.4.1 Definition of farm management 

• Application of basic business principles and scientific principles of  agriculture √ to the farm business. √ (2) 

3.4.2 Components of strategic management 

• Developing a vision √ 
• Developing a mission √ 
• Setting goals and objectives √ (3)

3.4.3 Explanation of conceptual skills 

• Conceptual skills allow you to reflect on changes in the industry or  in farm circumstances √ and develop strategies to address  them. √ (2)

3.4.4 Socio-cultural forces that affect businesses 

• Population demographics – age, gender and race  composition √ 
• Education levels can affect the labour availability to the  farm √ 
• Culture and religion and the values and lifestyle choices of  your customers √ 
• Attitudes to environmental issues will affect demand for your  product √ 
• HIV and Aids can affect your consumers available cash and  the availability of labour √ (Any 3 x 1) (3)

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QUESTION 4: GENETICS 
4.1 4.1.1 Genotype in K 

• SsQq √ (1)

4.1.2 Phenotype in L 

• Black Short √ (1)

4.1.3 Ratio of white and long hair in the crosses 

• 1 √ : 16 √ (2)

4.1.4 Percentage of black and short hair in the phenotype 

• Total of the phenotypes = 9 + 3 + 3 + 1 √ = 16 √
  Black and short hair = 9
  Percentage of black and short hair = 9/16 x 100 √ 
                                                         = 56,25% or 56,3% √ (4)

4.2 4.2.1 Qualitative characteristics 

• These are characteristics that can take only a few fixed forms. √ 
• They are controlled by one pair of genes. √ (2) 

Quantitative characteristics 

• Quantitative characteristics can take on a whole series of values  without clear boundary lines between the different classes. √
• They  are usually determined by a number of genes. √ (2) (4) 

4.2.2

1. Gender of a bull – qualitative characteristic √ (1)
2. Body size of the bull – quantitative characteristic √ (1)

4.3 4.3.1 Limitations of traditional breeding 

• It is not precise. √ 
• Many unwanted traits can be transferred. √ 
• Not suitable for the production of vaccines. √ 
• Recombined genetic traits within species and between related  ones. √ 
• It is time-consuming – takes several years. √ (Any 2 x 1) (2)

4.3.2 Current uses of genetically modified plants 

• Improving the shell life of many fruiting plants. √
• Improving the nutritional value of food. √
• Improving resistance to diseases and pests. √ 
• Improving resistance to weed killers. √
• Improving resistance to viral disease.√ 
• Increasing resistance of plants to negative environmental  influences such as drought. √ (2)

4.4

1. Prepotency
   • The ability of a parent to pass its genetic characteristics √ on to its offspring. √ (2)
2. Pedigree selection
   1. Pedigree selection focuses on the quality of the ancestors, √ rather than on the individual. √ (2)

4.5 4.5.1 The type of breeding that could take place on the farm.

• Cross breeding √ (1)

4.5.2 Reason for answer in QUESTION 4.5.1. 

• It involves the mating of two pure-bred animals √ of different  breeds. √ (2)

4.5.3 Characteristics of crossbred animals 

• They produce heterosis/hybrid vigor √ 
• The offspring are heterozygous √ 
• It helps to improve characteristics that have low heritability √ 
• Progeny is more resistant to diseases √ 
• Offspring have more vitality √ 
• Better adaptability to varying environmental conditions √  (Any 3 x 1) (3)

4.5.4 One genetic terminology for the offspring 

• Progeny √ (1)

4.6 4.6.1 Calculation of milk yield 

• aabbcc = 3 000 litres of milk
  B = 200 litres of milk √
  C = 200 litres of milk √
  AaBbcC = 3 000 + 200 + 200 
  = 3 400 √ litres of milk √ (4) 

4.7 4.7.1 Crossing over √√ (2)

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