Agric ss1 3
Agric ss1 3
Agric ss1 3
SCIENCE/1ST TERM/SS1Page 1
FIRST TERM E-LEARNING NOTE
SUBJECT: AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE CLASS: SS1
SCHEME OF WORK
WEEK TOPIC
1. Introduction to Agriculture: Meaning, Branches and Importance of Agriculture.
2. Types of Agriculture: Subsistence and Commercial Agriculture.
3. Problems of Agricultural Development in Nigeria and their Possible Solutions.
4. Roles of Government and Non-governmental Organization in Agricultural Development.
5. Roles of Science and Technology in Agricultural Development
6. Agro-Allied Industry and Relationship between Agriculture and Industry.
7. Land and its Uses: Agricultural and Non-Agricultural Uses.
8. Agricultural Laws and Reforms.
9. Environmental Factors Affecting Agricultural Production.
10. Classification of Crops:Based on Life Cycle, Morphology and Uses.
11. Revision of the Term’s Work.
12. Examination.
REFERENCES
● Essential Agricultural Science by O. A. Iwena
● Fundamental Agricultural Science by P. E. Okafor
● Prescribed Agricultural Science by Omoruyi and Oruhue
● SSCE Agricultural Science pack
MEANING OF AGRICULTURE
Agriculture is the art and science (or management) that deals with the cultivation of crops and
the rearing of animals for man’s use. This means, it refers to all the activities involving
cultivation of soil for the production of crops and livestock management to the distribution and
marketing of the plant and animal products.
The term, agriculture, is derived from two Latin words which are:
(i) “Ager” which means field/farm/land.
(ii) “Culture” which means cultivation.
By this, agriculture means field cultivation. However, this is not a complete definition of
agriculture since agriculture also has to do withanimal production.
EVALUATION QUESTION
1. Define Agriculture.
2. State the two Latin words from which the term Agriculture is derived from and
their meanings.
BRANCHES OF AGRICULTURE
The branches of Agricultureinclude the following:
1.Animal Science/Animal Husbandry/Animal Production: Animal Science ensures the
efficient and effective management of farm animals. It ensures better animal productivity.
2. Veterinary Medicine/Animal Health: Veterinary medicine providesa better
health management for farm animals.It ensures the control of pests, parasites and
diseases of farm animals.
3. Soil Science:Soil science ensures the maintenance of soil fertility, better soil
classification and mapping. It also helps in erosion control, soil moisture conservation
and application of appropriate fertilizer for different soil types.
4. Crop Production/Crop Science: Crop production helps in effective crop
management practices, development of better planting materials, correct crop spacing,
etc. The aspects of crop production include: Agronomy, Crop Pathology and Entomology.
5. Agricultural Economics and Farm Management: It ensures the effective management
of agricultural resources, promotes agricultural marketing and good farm accounting.
6. Agricultural Engineering: It promotes the mechanization of farm operations, development
of processing and storage equipment and also maintenance of farm tools and equipment.
7. Agricultural Extension and Education: It promotes the training anddissemination
IMPORTANCE OF AGRICULTURE
1. PROVISION OF FOOD: - Agriculture provides food such as maize, rice, yam, vegetables,
fruits, meat, and milk, either in fresh form or processed form for man and farm animals.
2. SOURCE OF MATERIALS FOR CLOTHING: Agriculture providesfibre and cotton for textile
production. It also provides hides and skin for clothing, shoes, belts, caps, and bags.
3. PROVISION OF MATERIALS FOR SHELTER AND FURNITURE: - Agriculture provides timber
for making building materials such as doors, windows, roofs, poles e. t. c. Timber is also
used for making furniture such as shelves, cabinets, tables, chairs e. t. c.
4. PROVISION OF INCOME: - Agriculture generates income for farmers and farm labour
through sales of plants and animal produce and wages or salaries.
5. EMPLOYMENT FOR THE WORKING POPULATION: - Agriculture and other agro-based
industries provide employment for farmers, farm workers and other people who engage
in agricultural finance and marketing.
6. PROVISION OF RAW MATERIALS FOR INDUSTRIES: - Agriculture provides raw materials
for agro-based industries (industries which depend on agriculture for their
raw-materials). It provides cotton and wool for textile industries, cocoa, coffee, tea and
kola nut for beverage industries, rubber latex for tyres and foams industries e.t.c.
7. SOURCES OF FOREIGN EXCHANGE: - Agriculture contributes significantly to foreign
exchange earning in Nigeria through the export of cocoa, coffee, groundnut, cotton,
palm produce, timber e. t. c. to other countries.
8. PROVISION OF MARKET FOR INDUSTRIAL GOODS: - Finished products from agro-allied
industries such as fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, agro-pharmaceutical drugs, farm
tools, machines as well as storage and processing facilities are used in agricultural sector.
9. DEVELOPMENT OF RURAL AREAS: - Agriculture brings about development in rural areas
as social amenities such as good roads, electricity, pipe-borne water, schools and
hospitals are provided where commercial agriculture exists.
10. PROVISION OF FACILITIES FOF RECREATION AND TOURISM: - Agriculture leads to the
establishment of game reserves. It also provides horse for horse racing and polo.
WEEK 2
DATE………………………………………….
CONTENT:
- Subsistence Agriculture
- Commercial Agriculture
COMMERCIAL AGRICULTURE
Commercial agriculture is the type of agriculture which is concerned with the production of
food and cash crops in large quantities for sale.It is done on a large scale because commercial
farmers are rich farmers. Complex farm machines like tractors, bulldozers, planters, harvesters,
etcare used.
EVALUATION QUESTIONS
1. Define the two types of agriculture.
2. Who is a peasant farmer?
3. State ten examples of simple farm tools used by subsistence farmers.
4. State ten examples of complex farm machines used by commercial farmers.
EVALUATION QUESTIONS
1. Define subsistence and commercial agriculture.
2. State five differences between subsistence and commercial agriculture.
GENERAL EVALUATION/REVISION QUESTIONS
WEEK 3 DATE
………………………………
EVALUATION QUESTIONS
Give two possible solutions each to the problems of
1. inadequate land and
2. poor financial status of the farmers
6. Transportation Problem:-
Lack of efficient transport system also adversely affects agricultural production and
development. The roads are generally poor and badly maintained. This makes it difficult for
farmers to transport their products from villages to cities and forces them to sell at local
markets at relatively low prices.
SOLUTION: (a) Government should construct roads leading to food producing areas.
(b) Construction of railways and water ways to link rural and riverine areas to urban
centres.
(c) Rehabilitation of existing damaged road.
11. UnfavourableClimate:
EVALUATION QUESTIONS
1. Suggest two possible solutions each to the problems of i) unfavourable climate ii) poor
agricultural input
EVALUATION QUESTIONS
READING ASSIGNMENT
Essential Agricultural Science;Chapter 1, page 6 – 11
Fundamental Agricultural Science.Chapter 1; page 5 – 10
WEEKEND ASSIGNMENT
1. Artificial supply of water to farmland is known as… A. irrigation B. drainage C.
conservation D. assimilation
2. The following are farm machineries except A. tractor B. bulldozer C. ridger D.
hoe
3. The following activities can make soil fertility to be degraded except A. erosion
B.flooding C. leaching D. crop rotation
4. The chemical used to destroy weeds on farms is called A. herbicide B.pesticide C
weedicide D. insecticide
5. Farmers can collect credit facilities from any of the following except A.commercial bank
B.agricultural bank C.thrift and saving society D. mortgage
THEORY
1. List out five problems of agricultural development in Nigeria.
2. Suggest two possible solutions to each of the problems listed above
CONTENT
- Roles of Government in Agricultural Development
- Roles of Non-governmental Organization in Agricultural Development
Science and Technology has played significant roles in the development of agriculture in Nigeria
and many other countries of the world. These roles include
1. Modern farm machinery: - The development of modern farm implement such as tractor,
plough, planter, harvester, sheller to replace old simple tools such As hoe and cutlass has
been made possible by science and technology. This has greatly increase productivity
(commercial farming) and farm work becomes easier, faster and attractive.
2. Agro-climatology: - Science has been able to explain the ideal climatic conditions for plants
and animals. Farmers are equally helped to understand the weather and climate of their
area and are able to determine the type of crops to grow and animals to rear.
3. Pests and disease control: - Chemicals inform of pesticides, fungicides, nematicides,
fumigants has been developed by science and technology to combat the problems caused
by pests and disease.
4. Crops and animals improvement: - Through genetics and breeding, improved crop varieties
and animal breeds which possess desirable qualities such as disease resistance, fast
growth, early maturity, high yield has been developed.
5. Soil fertility: - The development and application of organic manure and inorganic fertilizers
by science and technology has been able to solve the problem of soil infertility and also
increase crop yield. Farmers can also test the soil; determine the nutrient deficiencies and
the type of crop to plant on a farm land.
6. Animal health management: - Feeds are formulated to meet the nutritional needs of farm
animals, other factors such as ventilation, sanitation, immunization and medication has
been put in place by science and technology to ensure good health and productivity of
farm animals.
7. Storage and processing facilities: - In order to preserve excess farm produce and to avoid
wastage, modern storage facilities such as silos, cold rooms and processing facilities such as
millers, shellers has been developed by science and technology.
8. Transportation network: - Science and technology has been able to develop roads, railways
and water ways linking food producing areas to urban centres.
9. Soil and water conservation: - Through irrigation, drainage and erosion control, the soil is
preserved from losing its fertility and water is made available at optimum level required for
plant growth.
10. Land surveying: - Surveying equipmentis made available by science and technology and
with these equipment, the physical feature and size of a farmland can be determined. This
EVALUATION
1. State ten roles of Science and Technology in Agricultural Development
2. Discuss ways through which Science and Technology has contributed to the
development of Agriculture in Nigeria.
GENERAL EVALUATION
1. What is technology?
2. Describe how science and technology has been able to bring about crop and animal
improvement
3. Outline five improved farm management system
4. List five modern storage facilities
5. What is the importance of agro-climatology to farmers?
READING ASSIGNMENT
Essential Agricultural Science, chapter 13, page 130 – 131
Fundamental Agricultural Science chapter 1, page 127 - 130
WEEKEND ASSIGNMENT
1. The following are improved system of agriculture except A. crop rotation B. bush
fallowing C. mixed farming D. rotational grazing
2. The aspect of science and technology that aids the development of new crop varieties
and breeds of animals is known as A. Genetic engineering B. Reproduction engineering
C. Animal health D. Breeding engineering
3. Land surveying in agriculture helps the farmer to determine the following except A. the
size of a farm land B. physical relief of the farm land C. labour requirement D. fertility of
the soil
4. Which of these is not a method of conserving soil and water in agriculture? A. irrigation
B. erosion control C. land surveying D. drainage
5. Which of these is not an advantage of modern storage and processing facilities? A. avoid
wastage B. scarcity of agricultural produce C. convert agricultural produce to desired
form D. make produce available throughout the year
THEORY
1. Outline five roles of Science and Technology in Agriculture
2. State five importance of agro-climatology to farmers
CONTENT:
- Meaning of Agro-allied Industries/Agro-based Industries.
- Examples of Agro-allied Industries and Raw Materials Used.
- Relationship between Agriculture and Industries.
There is a positive and wide range of relationshipsbetween agriculture and industries. These
relationships include the following:
1. Provision of Market:Agriculture provides market for industrial products such as farm
machinery, chemicals and fertilizer
2. Provision of Food: Agriculturealso provides food for industrial workers.
3. Provision of Raw Materials: Agriculture provides raw materials such as cocoa, cotton, palm
produce and groundnut for industries.
4. Competition for Labour: Both agriculture and industry compete for labour.
5. Provision of Essential Goods: Industries provide a large range of desirablegoods that
farmers want to buy.
6. Provision of Agro-chemicals: Industries produce agro-chemicals for agricultural uses.
Examples are pesticides, fertilizers, vaccines and herbicides.
7. Provision of Storage Facilities: Industries provide storage facilities for agricultural produce
e.g. grains, milk, fruits, vegetables, meat, fish, etc.
8. Provision of Processing Facilities:Industries also provide processing facilities such as
grinders, millers, etc for agriculture.
9. Provision of Agricultural Tools and Machinery: Industries produce machinery and
equipment for agricultural uses. Examples include tractors, ploughs, cutlasses and hoes.
10. Development of Industrial Sector: Rise in agricultural income due to efficient and
economic factor combination brings about development of industrial sector of the
economy.
EVALUATION QUESTIONS
1. State seven relationships between agriculture and industries.
2. State five essential industrial goods that farmers may want to buy.
3. State any three agricultural storage structures produced by industry.
THEORY
1. (a) What are Agro-based industries?
(b) State five examples of agro-allied industries and the raw materials used.
2. State any three agricultural storage structures produced by industry and the produce being
stored by them.
WEEK 7 DATE
………………………………
CONTENT
- Definition of Land
- General Characteristics of Land
- Agricultural Use of Land
- Non Agricultural Use of Land
- Factors Affecting Availability of Land for Agricultural Purposes
LAND
Land is man’s natural endowment (the gift of nature). It is the solid part of earth’s surface (the
soil and its mineral resources) where production like farming and livestock management takes
place.
GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS OF LAND
1. It is fixed in supply and its value rise steadily in response to increasing demand for it.
2. The supply of land is limited and cannot be easily increased.
3. Land is mobile i.e. cannot be moved from a place of plenty to a place of scarcity.
EVALUATION QUESTIONS
1. What is a land?
2. Mention three characteristics of land
USES OF LAND
Land use is sub-divided into agricultural and non-agricultural uses.
AGRICULTURAL USES OF LAND
1. Crop Production: - Land is used for the production of food crops such as yam cassava
rice etc and cash crops such as cocoa, kola nut, coffee etc.
READING ASSIGNMENT
Essential Agricultural Science: Chapter 6, pages 105 – 108.
Fundamental Agricultural science: Chapter 2, pages 4 – 12.
WEEKEND ASSIGNMENT
1. Which of the following is not a factor affecting land availability for agriculture in
Nigeria?A. rainfall B. topography C. soil type D. soil micro organism
2. The climatic factors affecting land use for agriculture include the following exceptA.
pests B. rainfall C. temperature D. light
3. Which of the following farm practice does not have a harmful effect on soil? A. crop
rotation B. land clearing C. over grazing D. flooding
4. Agricultural lands should not be used for the establishment of A. game reserve B.
pastures C. horticultural crops D. arable crops
5. The use of land for agriculture is not influenced by A. Labour B. Climate C. topography D.
population
WEEK 8 DATE
………………………………
CONTENT:
Land ownership ranges from individual ownership to communal ownership. In the individual
ownership system, land is held by the family who can farm on it, build on it, pledge it for money
or sell it.
In communal ownership system, the land belongs to the community which may be an extended
family, a village or a town and no member of the community can use the land against the
wishes of the rulers of the community. Only annual crops can be planted on this piece of land.
Advantages
i. Each member of the community has the opportunity to request for farm land to provide
food and earn some money for his family.
ii. Co-operative farming is possible since the land is extensive.
iii. Large scale farming is possible due to its large size if only community members
co-operate.
iv. It is easier to transfer the land to a prospective farmer since individual attachment is
almost absent.
Disadvantages
EVALUATION
2. TENURE BASED ON INHERITANCE: This is the type of land tenure in which land is inherited from
one’s parents or from one generation to another.
Advantages
Advantages
i. The land is efficiently used.
ii. Easy accessibility of land is possible compared to land in communal ownership.
iii. There is no time wasting to acquire or leave the piece of land.
iv. The owner of the piece of land can earn more money.
4. TENURE BASED ON FREE GIFT: This is the type of land tenure in which land is donated or
given out on good will or free of charge in appreciation or as an incentive.
Advantages
i. It ensures the maximum use of the land for increased production.
ii. Large scale farming can be practiced depending on the size of the land.
iii. It can be used as security to obtain loans.
Disadvantages
i. The ownership of land can be challenged at anytime.
ii. There may be disagreement over such gifts among family members.
5. STATE OR GOVERNMENT OWNERSHIP OF LAND: In this system, land belongs to the state or
government and persons working or living on the land are tenants of the government. This
system makes for effective government control of land and use but it may be subject to
excessive bureaucratic control which may hinder individual initiative and give room to political
abuses.
Advantages
i. There is effective government control of land ownership in this system.
ii. The government can earn more money leasing out the land.
iii. It encourages government investment on the land.
Disadvantages
i. The system encourages bureaucratic control which may hinder individual initiative and
lead to political abuses.
ii. There is monopolistic power over the land as the tenant may not be able to use the land
according to their wish.
iii. Tenants may tend to lease the piece of land to other people in order to make some
money which may hinder development of agriculture.
CONCLUSION
We have learnt that land tenure is the body of rights and relationships established among men
to control and use land. Types of land tenure include communal, inheritance, free gift, leasehold
tenure, and state or government ownership of land.
WEEKEND ASSIGNMENT.
1. A major disadvantage of land tenure by inheritance is that the land is. A. very
infertile for crop and animal production. B. usuallysmall for commercial farming C. too
large for commercial farming D. available for large scale mechanization
2. Which of the following factors largely determines the amount of land available for
agriculture in an area? A. cash crop tenancies B.climatic and physical factor C. biotic factors D.
religion and tradition.
3. The commonest method of land tenure in Nigeria is ………….. A. inheritance B.
lease C. outright purchase D. state allocation.
4. A piece of land is said to be on lease to a farmer when the land is A. inherited from his
father B. given to him as a gift C. given as compensation D. given for a specified period on a
rental basis.
5. Land tenure system is a process of ……………… A. conserving soil types B.
determining the suitability of soil for agriculture C. acquiring land for agricultural purpose
D. developing land for building industries.
THEORY
1. State five land ownership systems in Nigeria.
2 .Explain four ways in which agricultural production is affected by communal ownership
of land in Nigeria.
FACTORS OF CLIMATE: It includes rainfall, relative humidity, temperature, light, wind, pressure.
Each of the factors has its own influence on agriculture. This is shown by the distribution of
vegetation and crops in the climatic zones. The result is that when the soil condition is
favourable, thick evergreen forest develops.
RAINFALL DISTRIBUTION AND PATTERN: West Africa is known for its high temperature
throughout the year. It is brought about by the south- west monsoon trade wind blowing from
the Atlantic Ocean.
The wind blowing from the ocean to the inland drops some water. A narrow part of the coast
has rainfall throughout the year against the rest of the region. As we move from the coast, the
amount of rainfall decreases. By the time the wind get to the northern part of the country, there
is little or no moisture left in it. Here, less rainfall is experienced per year. In the coastal area, the
raining season ranges from 8 months to the all year round while in the north, raining season
lasts only 3 to 4 months. The moisture required affects crop and livestock production. In the
coastal areas more of the southern parts, crops adapted to heavy rainfall predominantly trees,
yam, maize, rice, fruit, banana, etc. Much animal rearing does not take place here due to high
humidity rate which exposes the animals to tsetse fly infection.
Only animals which can resist the attack of trypanosomiasis can be seen in this area. Examples
are N’dama and Muturu breeds of cattle, dwarf sheep and goat, poultry. Those crops that can
thrive well in the northern part with little rainfall or resistance to drought are guinea corn,
millet, groundnut, cowpeas, cotton etc.
EVALUATION
1. What is rainfall?
2. List those crops that perform well in the Northern part and Southern part of Nigeria
IMPORTANCE/EFFECT OF RAINFALL
1. It determines the distribution of crops and animals.
2. It helps to dissolve nutrients in the soil making it available for plant use
3. It is necessary for seed germination.
4. Excessive rainfall leads to leaching of nutrients and causes soil erosion.
5. It determines the type of vegetation of an area.
6. Insufficient rainfall causes crop failure and poor yield.
2). TEMPERATURE: Is defined as a measure of the heat energy which a body contains or the
degree of hotness or coolness of a place, at a point in time. Temperature varies from the coastal
areas to extreme north. In the dry season, temperature is not high in the coaster area as against
the north which is extremely high.
IMPORTANCE/EFFECTS OF TEMPERATURE
1 It affects the distribution of crops and animals.
2. Necessary for germination of seed.
3. Unfavorable temperature may result in seed dormancy
4. High temperature may cause premature dropping of fruits and sudden death of livestock
in heat stress.
5. High temperature reduces the performance of livestock.
3). SUNLIGHT
IMPORTANCE/INFLUENCE
4). WIND
INFLUENCE/IMPORTANCE
1) High wind may cause wind erosion.
2) It aids seed and fruit dispersal
3) It can aid pollination and spread of disease.
4) It helps in the distribution of rainfall and changes in seasons e.g. rainy and dry season
5) High wind velocity causes damages to crops.
GENERAL EVALUATION
1. What is climate?
2. Discuss the importance of rainfall in agriculture.
3. What is temperature?
4. What is the difference between a farm and a farmstead?
5. Outline five principles of farmstead layout.
READING ASSIGNMENT
Read Environmental Factors Affecting Agricultural Production from Essential Agriculture by O.A.
Iwena pages 212-216
WEEKEND ASSIGNMENT(WK 9A)
1. The climatic factors affecting the production of animals and plants include the following
except A. rainfall B. temperature C. pests and disease D. sunlight
2. Factors of climate include the following except A. Rainfall B. temperature C. light D.vapour
(cloud)
3. Which of the following is not a function of the forestry department ? A. Routine
vaccination of wild animal B. conservation of forest resources C. specification of
size of tree to be felled D. grading of timbers for export
4. The taungya system of farming… A. integrates arable crops with forestry B. gives
priority of land use to arable crops C. gives priority of land use to forestry
D. encourages establishment of game reserves
5. Which of the following is not an edaphic factor affecting agricultural production?
1. PREDATORS: These are living organisms that prey or feed on other organisms.
Examples are birds, rodents, insects, etc. Some are beneficial and some destructive. Some
control harmful pests of crop and animals, others feed on other animals e.g. hawk etc.
TYPES OF PARASITES
a. ENDOPARASITE: - These are parasites which live inside or within the body of other
animals. e.g. liver fluke, tapeworm, roundworm or ascaris.
b. ECTOPARASITE: - Parasites that live outside or on the host. Example tick, lice, mites,
insect bugs, fleas, etc.
3. SOIL ORGANISM: Soil organism can be classified into micro organism or macro organism.
Microorganisms are bacteria, virus etc, while macro organisms are rodents, termite, centipedes
etc. Some like bacteria and fungi can cause disease, some aid aeration in soil, hence improving
soil fertility. Some like root nodule bacteria can fix nutrients directly to plant and soils. Some
help in the decomposition of plant and animal material to form humus.
4. PESTS: These organisms cause damage or destroy crops either in the field or in stores. They
include insect, rodents, birds and some animal e.g. monkeys. They reduce the yield of crops and
animals thereby reducing the farmer’s income. Some are vectors or carriers of diseases .The
cost of their control increases the cost of production.
EVALUATION QUESTIONS
1 What are pests?
2 State five examples of pest.
5. DISEASES
Disease is a situation in plants or animals in which there is a deviation of the plant or animal
from normal state of health. Disease can be caused by pathogens which are virus, bacteria,
fungi, protozoa etc. They cause reduction in the yield of crops and animals. They can cause loss
or death of plants and animals. The cost of control increases the cost of production which
affects the income of the farmers.
6. MUTUALISM (SYMBIOSIS)
3 SOIL STRUCTURE: This is the physical appearance of the soil according to the way
individual particles are packed or arranged.
a. It determines the fertility of the soil.
b. It determines the water retaining capacity of the soil
c. It determines the level of aeration.
d. It determines the level of micro-organism
WEEK 10 DATE
………………………………
TOPIC: CLASSIFICATION OF CROPS
CONTENT:
▪ Classification Based on Life Cycle
▪ Classification Based on Morphology
▪ Classification Based on Uses
A crop is a plant which is cultivated by man for some beneficial purposes. Crops can be classified
based on (i) life cycle (ii)morphology (iii) uses.
READING ASSIGNMENT