Is the WAEC Agricultural Science Marking Guide 2026 Official?
Yes. The marking guide shared in this article is based on the 2026 WASSCE Agricultural Science (Essay) Final Marking Scheme prepared for the coordination and marking of candidates’ scripts. The marking scheme contains:- Official answers expected by WAEC.
- Alternative acceptable answers where applicable.
- Mark allocation for every question.
- Instructions given to WAEC examiners during the marking exercise.
WAEC Agricultural Science Essay Marking Guide 2026 (Paper 2)
Below is the complete WAEC Agricultural Science 2026 Essay (Paper 2) Marking Guide. The marking guide covers all major questions answered by candidates during the examination, including:- Question 1
- Question 2
- Question 3
- Question 4
- Question 5
- Question 6
WAEC Agricultural Science Question 1 Marking Guide
Question 1 focuses on the effects of major agricultural challenges in West Africa, differences between farm tools and machinery, the functions of bulldozers on the farm, and common maintenance tools used for farm machinery.Question 1(a)(i): Effects of Rural-Urban Migration on Agricultural Production
According to the marking guide, candidates were expected to mention points such as:- Reduction in the availability of farm labour.
- Increase in labour cost.
- Reduced agricultural productivity.
- Food insecurity.
- Decrease in farmers income.
- Abandonment of farmland.
- Increase in food prices.
- Low adoption of modern farming techniques.
- Poor rural development.
- Increased dependence on food importation.
Question 1(a)(ii): Effects of Inadequate Farm Inputs
Expected answers include:- High cost of farm inputs.
- Low crop and animal productivity.
- Crop failure.
- Reduced farmers income.
- Poor quality farm produce.
- Post-harvest losses.
- Difficulty expanding commercial farming.
Question 1(a)(iii): Effects of Inadequate Storage Facilities
Candidates were expected to state points such as:- Wastage of agricultural produce.
- Reduction in produce quality.
- Forced sale at low farm-gate prices.
- Scarcity of produce during the off-season.
- High market prices.
- Reduced farmer profits.
- Discouragement of farm expansion.
- Food insecurity.
Question 1(b): Difference Between Farm Tools and Farm Machinery
The official marking guide states: Farm Tools: Simple devices used manually to carry out farm operations. Farm Machinery: Mechanical devices or machines used to carry out farm operations.Question 1(c): Functions of a Bulldozer on the Farm
Expected answers include:- Clearing farmland.
- Moving or collecting earth.
- Construction of farm roads, channels, and ditches.
- Levelling or grading farmland.
- Stumping.
Question 1(d): Farm Tools Used in Maintaining Farm Machinery
Any correct maintenance tools such as:- Spanner
- Screwdriver
- Saw
- Hand drill
- File
- Wire brush
- Grease gun
- Hammer
- Clamp
- Mallet
- Crowbar
- Jack
- Tyre gauge
- Measuring tape
- Plier
- Wrench
- Chisel
- Socket set
- Multimeter
WAEC Agricultural Science Question 2 Marking Guide
Question 2 focused on soil profile horizons, soil living organisms, the digestive system of poultry, animal nutrition, and the characteristics of roughages. Below are the official marking points contained in the 2026 WAEC Agricultural Science Essay Marking Guide.Question 2(a): Description of the Horizons in a Soil Profile
Horizon A (Topsoil)- Topmost layer of the soil.
- Storehouse of soil living organisms.
- Contains more organic matter than other horizons.
- Usually dark in colour.
- Most weathered or leached layer.
- Most fertile layer for crop production.
- Known as the subsoil.
- Usually reddish-brown or orange in colour.
- Rich in minerals leached from the topsoil.
- Contains little humus.
- Less fertile than the topsoil.
- Parent material.
- Made up of gravel and clay particles.
- Formed from weathered bedrock.
- Determines the chemical composition of the soil.
- Has little biological activity.
- Referred to as the bedrock.
- Consists of unweathered rock.
- Contains no living organisms.
Question 2(b): Soil Living Organisms Found on Farmland
- Bacteria
- Fungi
- Virus
- Nematode
- Mole cricket
- Protozoa
- Termite
- Rat/Rodent
- Centipede
- Snail
- Beetle
- Millipede
- Soldier ant
- Earthworm
- Black ant
- Mite
Question 2(c): Functions of Parts of the Digestive System of Poultry
Crop- Temporary storage organ.
- Softens and moistens feed.
- Regulates the rate at which feed enters the stomach.
- Responsible for mechanical grinding of feed.
- Increases the surface area of feed.
- Regulates passage of feed into the intestine.
- Secretes digestive enzymes.
- Absorbs nutrients.
- Passes undigested feed to the large intestine.
- Synthesizes vitamins.
- Absorbs water and electrolytes.
- Microbial fermentation of fibre.
- Passes undigested feed to the cloaca.
Question 2(d): Definition of Ration and Characteristics of Roughages
Definition of Ration Ration is the amount of feed taken by an animal daily or the total feed supplied to an animal within 24 hours. Characteristics of Roughages- Low in protein.
- Low in energy.
- High in fibre.
- Bulky in nature.
- Low digestibility.
- Available as hay, silage and straw.
WAEC Agricultural Science Question 3 Marking Guide
Question 3 tested candidates on agroforestry practices, the importance of agroforestry, the water cycle, forms of soil water, rock classification and the effects of temperature on agricultural production.Question 3(a): Agroforestry Practices in West Africa
- Alley Cropping
- Ley Farming
- Taungya System
Question 3(b): Reasons for Practising Agroforestry
- Maximises land use.
- Provides additional income.
- Improves soil fertility.
- Supplies timber and fuelwood.
- Conserves wildlife.
- Provides livestock forage.
- Reduces greenhouse gases.
- Creates employment.
- Controls soil erosion.
Question 3(c): Water Cycle and Forms of Soil Water
Water Cycle- Rainfall adds water to the soil.
- Evaporation returns water to the atmosphere.
- Plants lose water through transpiration.
- Condensation forms rain clouds.
- Rainwater infiltrates and percolates into the soil.
- Capillary water rises through soil pores.
- Capillary water.
- Hygroscopic water.
- Gravitational water.
Question 3(d): Classification of Rocks and Effects of Temperature
Classification of Rocks- Sedimentary: Limestone, Coal, Dolomite.
- Metamorphic: Marble, Slate.
- Igneous: Gabbro.
- Affects plant and animal distribution.
- Influences seed germination.
- Breaks seed dormancy.
- Causes excessive evaporation.
- Influences pests and diseases.
- Affects growth and maturity.
- Reduces livestock feed intake.
- Affects crop yield.
WAEC Agricultural Science Question 4 Marking Guide
Question 4 covered ginger cultivation, harvesting and processing methods, farmland calculations, and expected maize stands.Question 4(a): Cultivation of Ginger
- Soil Requirement: Well-drained sandy loam soil.
- Land Preparation: Land clearing, ploughing, harrowing and ridging.
- Planting Material: Rhizome.
- Spacing: 45 × 45 cm, 30 × 30 cm or 20 × 30 cm.
- Harvesting: Digging up mature plants.
- Processing: Washing, curing, peeling, slicing, drying, milling, grading and packaging.
Question 4(b): Calculating Area of Farmland
Using the official marking guide, the calculated farmland area is 1,590 m². The expected maize stands are:- Area = 1,590 m²
- Spacing = 30 cm × 30 cm (0.09 m²)
- Expected maize stands = 17,667
- At two seeds per hole = 35,334 maize stands.
WAEC Agricultural Science Question 5 Marking Guide
Question 5 focused on fibre crops, marketing of oranges, agricultural extension services, and livestock health management.Question 5(a): Uses of Fibre Crops
- Production of textiles.
- Making ropes.
- Making brushes.
- Fishing nets.
- Paper production.
- Cooking oil production.
- Livestock feed formulation.
- Animal bedding.
- Making mats and carpets.
- Nursery substrate.
- Construction insulation.
Question 5(b): Marketing of Oranges
- Grading.
- Sorting.
- Pricing.
- Packaging.
- Storage.
- Transportation.
- Distribution.
- Waxing.
- Processing.
- Selling.
- Advertisement.
Question 5(c): Government Support for Orange Distribution
- Creation of marketing boards.
- Construction of good roads.
- Price support.
- Storage facilities.
- Processing facilities.
- Agricultural policies.
- Credit facilities.
- Market information services.
- Farmer cooperatives.
- Subsidies.
Question 5(d): Extension Services and Tapeworm Control
Challenges Facing Extension Officers- Inadequate extension workers.
- Poor road network.
- Transport problems.
- Poor remuneration.
- Poor funding.
- Language barriers.
- Inadequate facilities.
- Cattle – Taenia saginata
- Pig – Taenia solium
- Meat inspection.
- Farm sanitation.
- Regular deworming.
- Biosecurity measures.
- Quarantine new animals.
- Proper disposal of human faeces.
- Proper cooking of pork.
Conclusion
The WAEC Agricultural Science Marking Guide 2026 gives candidates an opportunity to compare their responses with the official marking scheme used by WAEC examiners. It also serves as an excellent revision material for future WASSCE candidates preparing for Agricultural Science. We advise all candidates to carefully study every section of this marking guide, especially the expected points for each question, as WAEC awards marks based on these key marking points. Bookmark this page and share it with your classmates so they can also check the official Agricultural Science Essay marking scheme for the 2026 WAEC examination.Related WAEC 2026 Resources
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Kolade Kayode, known as Mr. KK, I am a Nigerian education blogger and founder of MasterWAEC.com. Passionate about student success, I simplifies WAEC exam preparation with accurate tips and resources to help students excel.