Frequently Asked Questions About This Topic
What are the likely NECO 2026/2027 Agricultural Science questions?
How do I score an A in NECO Agricultural Science?
What topics does NECO Agricultural Science cover?
Introduction
Agricultural Science is a subject that connects science to food production, land management, and rural livelihoods. It is compulsory or optional depending on your NECO subject combination, but students who study it well find it one of the most rewarding subjects to score high in. NECO tests you on crop production, animal husbandry, soil science, farm management, and agricultural economics. The questions are practical and often relate directly to the kind of farming communities many Nigerian students grow up around. This article provides 50 carefully selected objective questions with correct answers and 5 theory questions with full answers to help you prepare for NECO 2026 or 2027.
NECO Agricultural Science Syllabus Breakdown for 2026/2027
NECO Agricultural Science covers: Introduction to agriculture and its importance. Soil science including types, properties, and conservation. Farm tools and equipment. Crop production including planting, cultivation, and harvesting. Fertilisers and manure. Irrigation and drainage. Pests, diseases, and weed control. Animal husbandry including poultry, cattle, goat, pig, and fish farming. Animal nutrition and feeding. Animal health and diseases. Farm records and management. Agricultural economics including farm costing and marketing. Environmental issues in agriculture.
50 Objective Questions and Answers
1. Agriculture can be defined as the science and practice of:
A. Building roads
B. Cultivating crops and rearing animals for food and other products ✓
C. Manufacturing chemicals
D. Importing food products
2. Which of the following is a function of organic matter in the soil?
A. It makes the soil hard
B. It improves soil structure ✓
C. water retention
D. and provides nutrients
3. Loamy soil is considered best for farming because it:
A. Has the highest sand content
B. Has a balanced mixture of sand ✓
C. silt
D. and clay with good drainage and water retention
4. The practice of growing different crops on the same piece of land in the same season is called:
A. Crop rotation
B. Mixed cropping ✓
C. Monoculture
D. Shifting cultivation
5. Which of the following is a nitrogen-fixing crop?
A. Maize
B. Cassava
C. Cowpea (legume) ✓
D. Yam
6. The main pest of stored grains in Nigeria is:
A. Grasshopper
B. Weevil ✓
C. Boll weevil
D. Aphid
7. Which farming system helps restore soil fertility by leaving land uncultivated for some years?
A. Irrigation farming
B. Shifting cultivation ✓
C. Commercial farming
D. Plantation farming
8. NPK fertiliser provides plants with:
A. Nitrogen ✓
B. phosphorus
C. and potassium
D. Nitrogen
9. Poultry farming refers to the rearing of:
A. Cattle and sheep
B. Chickens ✓
C. turkeys
D. ducks
10. The process of removing diseased or weak animals from a herd to prevent spread is called:
A. Castration
B. Culling ✓
C. Weaning
D. Dehorning
11. Which of the following is the best method of controlling soil erosion on slopes?
A. Burning
B. Strip cropping and terracing ✓
C. Monoculture
D. Deep tillage
12. A cover crop is planted mainly to:
A. Produce large harvests
B. Protect the soil from erosion and improve soil fertility ✓
C. Replace the main crop
D. Attract pollinators only
13. Which of the following is a viral disease of poultry?
A. Coccidiosis
B. Fowl pox
C. Newcastle disease ✓
D. Pullorum disease
14. The most common method of propagating cassava is:
A. Seeds
B. Cuttings (stem cuttings) ✓
C. Grafting
D. Layering
15. Which nutrient is most responsible for promoting root development in plants?
A. Nitrogen
B. Phosphorus ✓
C. Potassium
D. Calcium
16. Pisciculture refers to the farming of:
A. Birds
B. Fish ✓
C. Pigs
D. Snails
17. The practice of growing two or more crops alternately in rows on the same field is called:
A. Monoculture
B. Intercropping ✓
C. Crop rotation
D. Strip cropping
18. Which of the following is a correct description of photosynthesis in agriculture?
A. Animals producing food from sunlight
B. Plants using sunlight to convert CO2 and water into glucose ✓
C. Soil absorbing minerals from rain
D. Roots storing glucose underground
19. Farm records are important because they help the farmer to:
A. Avoid paying taxes
B. Keep track of income ✓
C. expenses
D. and farm activities to make better decisions
20. Which of the following is a chemical method of weed control?
A. Mulching
B. Weeding by hand
C. Applying herbicides ✓
D. Ploughing
21. The layer of soil that contains the most organic matter and is most suitable for plant growth is the:
A. Subsoil
B. Parent material
C. Topsoil ✓
D. Bedrock
22. Which of the following is a sign of protein deficiency in livestock?
A. Rapid weight gain
B. Poor growth and weakness ✓
C. Increased milk production
D. Shiny coat
23. The most important factor that determines plant growth is:
A. Colour of the soil
B. Availability of water ✓
C. sunlight
D. and nutrients
24. Afforestation refers to:
A. Cutting down all trees
B. Planting trees on land that has not had forest cover before ✓
C. Burning forests
D. Replanting only fruit trees
25. Which of the following is used to measure rainfall on a farm?
A. Thermometer
B. Hydrometer
C. Rain gauge ✓
D. Barometer
26. Gestation period refers to:
A. The time between planting and harvest
B. The period from conception to birth in animals ✓
C. The length of the farming season
D. The time taken for eggs to hatch
27. The gestation period of cattle is approximately:
A. 3 months
B. 5 months
C. 9 months ✓
D. 12 months
28. Which of the following is a benefit of crop rotation?
A. It increases soil erosion
B. It reduces soil fertility
C. It controls pests and diseases and maintains soil fertility ✓
D. It requires more labour than monoculture
29. Fumigation of stored produce is done to:
A. Add nutrients to the grain
B. Kill pests and rodents inside the storage facility ✓
C. Increase moisture content
D. Improve the colour of stored crops
30. Which of the following is a cash crop in Nigeria?
A. Maize
B. Cocoa ✓
C. Yam
D. Cassava
31. A soil pH of 7 is considered:
A. Acidic
B. Alkaline
C. Neutral ✓
D. Highly toxic
32. Which farming system is characterised by large-scale production of a single crop for export?
A. Subsistence farming
B. Mixed farming
C. Plantation farming ✓
D. Pastoral farming
33. Which of the following is an organic fertiliser?
A. Urea
B. Superphosphate
C. Compost ✓
D. Ammonium nitrate
34. The purpose of liming the soil is to:
A. Increase soil acidity
B. Reduce soil pH
C. Correct excess soil acidity and supply calcium ✓
D. Increase soil salinity
35. In animal nutrition, roughages are important mainly for:
A. Providing energy
B. Supplying vitamins
C. Providing bulk and aiding digestion ✓
D. Building body tissues
36. Which of the following is a characteristic of a good layer breed of poultry?
A. Large body weight
B. High feed conversion for meat
C. Early sexual maturity and high egg production ✓
D. Slow growth rate
37. The removal of male reproductive organs from animals to improve meat quality is called:
A. Culling
B. Castration ✓
C. Dehorning
D. Drenching
38. Which of the following is NOT a cause of soil erosion?
A. Heavy rainfall
B. Overgrazing
C. Afforestation ✓
D. Steep slopes
39. The main advantage of drip irrigation over flood irrigation is that it:
A. Is cheaper to install
B. Uses water more efficiently by delivering it directly to plant roots ✓
C. Covers larger areas
D. Requires no maintenance
40. Feed conversion ratio in animal production measures:
A. How much water an animal drinks
B. How efficiently an animal converts feed into body weight ✓
C. The colour of the animal’s coat
D. The number of young produced
41. Which of the following is a sign of mastitis in dairy cattle?
A. Increased milk yield
B. Swelling and inflammation of the udder with reduced or abnormal milk ✓
C. Rapid weight gain
D. Shedding of hair
42. A nursery bed is used in crop production to:
A. Store harvested crops
B. Germinate seedlings before transplanting to the main field ✓
C. Mix fertilisers
D. Dry harvested grains
43. Which of the following is an example of biological pest control?
A. Spraying insecticides
B. Using parasitic wasps to control caterpillar pests ✓
C. Burning infested crops
D. Using herbicides
44. The water requirement of crops is measured by:
A. Evapotranspiration ✓
B. Soil pH
C. Rainfall alone
D. Humidity
45. Which of the following is NOT a farm record?
A. Sales record
B. Inventory record
C. Weather record
D. A school timetable ✓
46. The practice of applying water to crops through channels dug in the field is called:
A. Drip irrigation
B. Sprinkler irrigation
C. Furrow irrigation ✓
D. Overhead irrigation
47. Ruminant animals are unique because they:
A. Lay eggs
B. Have a four-chambered stomach and chew cud ✓
C. Are always found in water
D. Produce wool
48. Which of the following is a sign of vitamin A deficiency in livestock?
A. Diarrhoea
B. Night blindness and dry skin ✓
C. Excessive thirst
D. Fast growth
49. Aquaculture refers to:
A. Farming on dry land
B. The cultivation of aquatic organisms such as fish ✓
C. prawns
D. and seaweed
50. Which of the following is a reason why Nigeria should improve its agricultural sector?
A. To reduce food production
B. To reduce the cost of crude oil
C. To achieve food security and create employment ✓
D. To eliminate rural areas
5 Theory Questions and Answers
Question 1: Explain FIVE importance of agriculture to Nigeria’s economy and population.
Answer:
First, agriculture provides food for the growing Nigerian population. Over 200 million Nigerians depend on food produced locally by farmers. Without a strong agricultural sector, food insecurity and hunger become major national challenges. Second, agriculture provides raw materials for industries. Cotton goes to textile factories, rubber to tyre manufacturers, cocoa to food processing companies, and palm oil to soap and cosmetics producers. Third, agriculture provides employment. Farming, processing, transportation, and marketing of agricultural produce employ the majority of Nigeria’s rural population. Agriculture absorbs labour that would otherwise contribute to urban unemployment. Fourth, agriculture earns foreign exchange. Export crops such as cocoa, sesame seeds, and cashew nuts earn hard currency that Nigeria uses to pay for imports and service debts. Fifth, agriculture provides government revenue through taxes and levies on agricultural trade and processing industries. A stronger agricultural sector leads to higher tax income at state and local government levels.
Question 2: What is soil erosion? State FOUR causes and FIVE methods of controlling soil erosion.
Answer:
Soil erosion is the wearing away and removal of the topsoil layer by water, wind, or human activities. It is one of the most serious threats to agricultural land in Nigeria, particularly in the south-east and savanna zones. Causes include: heavy rainfall, which dislodges soil particles and washes them away. Overgrazing, which removes protective vegetation cover and exposes bare soil to the elements. Deforestation, which removes tree roots that hold soil in place. Steep slopes, where water runs off quickly and carries soil with it. Control methods include: terracing, which cuts horizontal steps into hillsides to slow water flow. Strip cropping, which alternates strips of crops with strips of grass to absorb runoff. Cover cropping, which keeps the soil surface protected at all times with plant material. Contour ploughing, which means ploughing across slopes rather than up and down. Afforestation and reforestation, which plant trees to anchor soil and intercept rainfall.
Question 3: Describe the major systems of crop production and state an advantage and disadvantage of each.
Answer:
Monoculture is the cultivation of a single crop on a large piece of land. Advantage: it is easy to manage and mechanise, making it suitable for commercial farming. Disadvantage: it depletes specific soil nutrients rapidly and makes crops more vulnerable to pests and diseases. Mixed cropping involves growing two or more crops on the same field at the same time. Advantage: it makes better use of land and reduces the risk of total crop failure. Disadvantage: it makes it harder to use machinery and complicates farm management. Crop rotation involves growing different crops on the same land in successive seasons. Advantage: it restores soil fertility, particularly when legumes are included, and breaks pest and disease cycles. Disadvantage: it requires careful planning and may reduce income if a high-value crop is temporarily replaced with a soil-restoring one. Shifting cultivation involves farming one piece of land until fertility declines, then moving to a new area. Advantage: it allows land to recover naturally. Disadvantage: it leads to deforestation and is not sustainable with a large, growing population.
Question 4: Explain the importance of farm records. State FIVE types of farm records a farmer should keep.
Answer:
Farm records are written accounts of all activities, inputs, outputs, and financial transactions on a farm. They are important because they help the farmer plan future activities based on past performance. They allow the farmer to track income and expenses and determine whether the farm is profitable. They provide evidence for accessing loans from banks and agricultural development funds. They help identify inefficiencies and areas where costs can be reduced. They serve as legal documents for tax purposes and insurance claims. Five types of farm records are: First, a cash book or financial record that tracks all money received and spent. Second, a field record or crop diary that records planting dates, types of crops, and harvests. Third, an inventory record that lists all farm assets including tools, equipment, and livestock. Fourth, a feeding and health record for animals that tracks vaccinations, treatments, and feed consumption. Fifth, a labour record that records the number of workers employed each day and wages paid.
Question 5: What are the common diseases affecting poultry in Nigeria? State FOUR diseases, their causes, and methods of prevention.
Answer:
First, Newcastle disease is caused by a paramyxovirus. It spreads quickly and kills large numbers of birds. Prevention includes regular vaccination with ND vaccine and strict biosecurity measures such as limiting visitors to the poultry pen. Second, fowl pox is caused by a poxvirus. It produces wart-like lesions on the skin and mouth. Prevention involves vaccination of birds before the disease season and keeping the pen clean and free from biting insects that spread the virus. Third, coccidiosis is caused by protozoan parasites of the genus Eimeria. It affects the intestines and causes bloody diarrhoea and high mortality in young chicks. Prevention involves keeping litter dry, avoiding overcrowding, and using coccidiostats in feed or water. Fourth, Marek’s disease is caused by a herpesvirus. It causes tumours and nerve damage, resulting in paralysis. Prevention involves vaccinating day-old chicks before they are exposed to the virus. Good hygiene, proper ventilation, and regular deworming are general prevention practices that apply across all poultry diseases.
FAQ: Agricultural Science NECO 2026/2027
Q: What topics are most tested in NECO Agricultural Science?
A: Soil science, crop production systems, farm records, animal husbandry, and pest and disease control appear most frequently. Study all five areas carefully.
Q: Do I need practical knowledge for NECO Agricultural Science?
A: Yes. NECO tests candidates on farm tools, crop identification, and practical knowledge. Familiarise yourself with the names, uses, and maintenance of common farm tools and know major crops by their scientific names.
Q: How can I score an A in NECO Agricultural Science?
A: Read your notes with understanding. Use diagrams of the soil profile, farm tools, and animal systems. Practice theory questions with full explanations. Students who write detailed, structured answers consistently score in the A range.
