Photo AI
The graph below shows an economic characteristic common to land as a production factor with regard to inputs and outputs - NSC Agricultural Sciences - Question 3 - 2022 - Paper 2
Question 3
The graph below shows an economic characteristic common to land as a production factor with regard to inputs and outputs. 3.1.1 Identify the economic characteristic... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:The graph below shows an economic characteristic common to land as a production factor with regard to inputs and outputs - NSC Agricultural Sciences - Question 3 - 2022 - Paper 2
Step 1
Identify the economic characteristic shown in the graph above.
Answer
The economic characteristic shown in the graph is the law of diminishing returns. This principle explains that as more inputs are added to a fixed amount of land, the additional output generated from those inputs will eventually decrease.
Step 2
Describe the implication of the economic characteristic identified in QUESTION 3.1.1.
Answer
The implication of the law of diminishing returns is that initially, output increases at an increasing rate with an increase in input. However, beyond a certain point, each additional unit of input will result in a smaller increase in output. This means that excessive input can lead to less efficient production and wasted resources.
Step 3
Compare the output response with regard to the quantity of inputs that increases from 5 to 10 and from 10 to 15.
Answer
When the input increases from 5 to 10 units, the output increases significantly as the graph shows a steep slope in this range, indicating high productivity with increasing input. In contrast, when the input increases from 10 to 15 units, the output continues to increase but at a decreasing rate, reflecting the diminishing returns as the curve flattens.
Step 4
Name TWO measures the farmer can take to improve the productivity of land.
Answer
- The development of disease-resistant cultivars or breeds can enhance the overall yield and sustainability of farm production.
- Implementing better agricultural practices such as crop rotation, responsible use of fertilizers and herbicides, and effective land management can significantly improve land productivity.