1ST TERM

[admin]

SCHEME OF WORK

WEEK TOPIC
THEME: BASIC CONCEPTS
1. Meaning and Importance of Agriculture :(a)Definition and branches of Agricultural science (b)Importance of Agricultural science to individual, community and nation.

2. Problems of Agricultural development and possible Solutions: (a)Problems related to Land tenure, Basic amenities, finance, transportation, storage and processing facility, agricultural education and extension; tools and machinery, farm inputs, marketing system, environmental degradation, etc. (b)Possible solutions to identified problems.

3. Meaning and differences between Subsistence and Commercial Agriculture: (a) Meaning of Subsistence and Commercial Agriculture (b) Differences between Subsistence and Commercial Agriculture based on their characteristics(c) Advantages and disadvantages of Subsistence and Commercial Agriculture (d) Problems of Subsistence and Commercial Agriculture.

4. Role of Government in Agricultural Development Roles of Government in Agricultural Development (i)Agricultural Finance –credit ,subsidy.(ii)Agricultural education (iii) Agricultural extension services. (iv) Agricultural policies and programmes (review of past and present e.g. OFN, ADP, etc.

5. Role of Non Governmental Organizations in Agricultural Development.(a) Meaning and importance of Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs). (b) Roles of NGOs in Agricultural Development e.g. - capacity building extension services etc.

6. Agricultural Laws and Reforms:(a)Land Tenure system in Nigeria (b)The land use decree of 1978 and its implications for agricultural development. (c) Advantages and Disadvantages of the land use decree in Nigeria.

THEME: AGRICULTURAL ECOLOGY.
7. Meaning and Importance of Agricultural Ecology: (a) Meaning of Agricultural ecology and ecosystem (b)Components of farm ecosystem e.g. biotic, abiotic , auto-trophism and hetero-trophism (c) Interactions of the terrestrial and aquatic agro ecosystem. (i) Mono or sole cropping system (ii) Mixed cropping system (iii) Mixed farming system. (iv) Fish ponds (v) Forest (rain forest) or savanna.

8. Land and its uses:(a)Meaning of land (b)Characteristics of land –free gift of nature, immobile, limited in supply etc. (c)Uses of land :Agricultural purposes-crop production, wild life conservation –game reserves; livestock production etc. Non-Agricultural Purposes: industry-Housing, transport etc.

9. Revision.

10. Examination.

REFERENCES
1. Evans Agricultural Science for SSS by M.O Adeniji, et al; Evans Brothers Nigeria Limited.
2. Agricultural Science for SSS by B.O Ashimolowo, et al; Melrose Books and Publishers.
3. Essential Agricultural Science for Senior Secondary School by O.A Iwena Tonad Publishers Ltd
4. Comprehensive Certificate Agricultural Science for SSS by L.A Are, et al; University Press Ibadan.

[admin]

TOPICS : Meaning and Importance of Agriculture
CONTENTS--- I. Definition
ii. meaning
iii. Importance

Sub-topic 1:

Meaning Of Agriculture :
Agriculture is derived from two latin words ‘Ager’(field) and ‘Cultura’(cultivation). Literally it means field cultivation.
Agriculture is as old as the existence of man. It s regarded as the mother of all other occupations. It is the live-blood of the nation’s economy
Definition Of Agriculture:
Agriculture can therefore be defined as the act and science of cultivating the soil for the production of crops and livestock management to the processing, packaging, distribution and marketing of plants and animals products for man’s use.
Simply put, Agriculture is the art and science (management) that deals with the cultivation of crops and the rearing of animals for man’s use
Branches of Agriculture:
The scope and branches(areas of specialization) of agriculture includes :
1.Basic agriculture or agricultural education,
ii. Animal science or animal husbandry or animal production,
iii. Soil Science ,
iv. crop Production:
- Agronomy(study of crops)
- Pathology(study of crop diseases)
- Entomology(study of insect pests of crops)
v. Horticulture:
- Pomology (deals with fruits )
- Oloriculture (deals with vegetables )
- Floriculture (deals with flowers)
vi. fishery,
vii. forestry,
viii. Agricultural Economics,
ix. Agricultural Extension,
x. Agricultural Engineering.
xi. Veterinary machine
1. Basic agriculture/agricultural education deals with the study of agricultural science as a subject i.e the teaching of agriculture in schools. A specialist in this area is called agricultural science teacher/lecturer.
2. Animal science Or Animal Husbandry Or Animal Production, deals with the study of the various farm animals. A specialist in this area is called animal scientist.
3. Soil science deals with the study of the types of soils. A specialist in this area is called a soil scientist .
4.Crop Production deals with the study of the various type of crops that are cultivated farmers. A specialist in this area is called a crop scientist. Crop production is divided into three: Agronomy (the study of crops and soil ), Pathology(the study of plant diseases), Entomology(the study of insect pests).
5. Horticulture deals with of flowers, vegetables and fruits. Horticulture is divided into three: Pomology (the study of fruits), Floriculture(the study of vegetables), Floriculture(the study of flowers). A specialist in this area is
Called a Horticulturist.
6.Fishery deals with rearing of fish and other aquatic organisms e.g. fish, crabs, crayfish, shrimps, etc. A specialist in this area is called a fishery officer.
7.Forestry deals with forest trees and forest management . A specialist in this area is called a forest officer or forest guard.
8.Agricultural economics deals with how to run agriculture as a profitable business. A specialist in this area is called agricultural economist.
9.Agricultural extension deals with the carrying of information from the research stations to the farmers in the rural areas. A specialist in this area is called extension officer or extension agent.
10.Agricultural engineering deals with the study of agricultural tools and machines used in agriculture. A specialist in this area known as agricultural engineer.
11. Veterinary medicine deals with the disease of farm animals. A specialist in this area is called a veterinarian (Veterinary doctor).
Evaluation: a. Define agriculture
b. write 8 areas of specialization in agriculture and the names of the specialists.
Sub-topic 2

IMPORTANCE OF AGRICULTURE:
Agriculture plays an importance role in the development of any nation. It is the mainstay of Nigeria’s economy.
Agriculture is important to the individual, the community and to the nation
TO THE INDIVIDUAL
Provision of food for man and feed for animals:
Products from agriculture are used for feeding man and animals. Agriculture provides food inform of maize, rice, meat, fish, eggs either in raw or processed form
Provision of income for famers : The sales of agricultural products such as yam ,maize, milk, provide income for the farmers so as meat their daily needs.
- It provides employment opportunity: An average of about 60- 70 percent of Nigeria population are employed in agriculture.
- Provision of shelters and clothing: Agricultural materials such as wood, palm fronds are used for building shelters.
- Agricultural products such as cotton, skin and hides are used for clothing materials such as shoes, clothes, belts etc
- Provision of fuel: It provides fuel wood/firewood as source of energy for cooking.
- Medicinal substances: It provides herbs and other substances, which serve as medicinal helps to the people.

TO THE COMMUNITY
Rural development: Agriculture enables social amenities such as pipe borne water, electricity, hospitals , schools etc to be put in place in the rural areas. Motor able roads are constructed. All these social amenities lead to the development of rural areas.
Provision of markets :Agriculture provides markets for farm produce thereby bringing development to the community
Afforestation: Agriculture makes the growing of trees possible, which can help to control erosion, prevents desert encroachment, purify the atmosphere , provide wood for fuel and home for wildlife
Evaluation: state 4 importance of agriculture to
a. The individuals
b. The society

Sub-topic 3

IMPORTANCE OF AGRICULTURE TO THE NATION
Provision of raw materials for industrial uses:
Raw materials from agriculture are used by several industries for manufacturing different products. E.g cocoa is used by beverage industry while skin and hides are used by tannery industries. Below are some agro-based industries and the raw materials they use
Provision of foreign exchange: This is the revenue derived by a country from the sales of agricultural products in international markets. Such products include cocoa, groundnuts, rubber, cotton, timber, palm kernels, coffee. The revenue derived can be used to procure manufactured products like electronics and machineries.
Direct income to the nation: Tax and revenue from agricultural products are sources of income to the government.
It provides a source of research for the development of local and international scientists.
Provision of facilities for Recreation and Tourism : Agriculture leads to the establishment of game reserves which serve as tourist centre in the countries. E.g Obudu Cattle Ranch in Cross River and Okomu Game Reserve in Edo state. It also provides horses used for ‘’Horse racing’’ and Polo games; Chickens, for ‘’Chicken fight’’.
General Evaluation:
Objectives:
1. Agriculture is concerned with both (a) man and animals (b) plants and animals (c) industries and community (d) plants and crops (e) perennial and biennial crops
2. The term agriculture is derived from two Latin words ----and ----- (a) ager and culture (b) cultivar and cultura (c) cultivation and cultura (d) ager and cutultura (e) agric and cultura
3. One of the following is the most important of agriculture. Provision of (a) food,
(b) shelter,(c) employment, (d)raw materials for industries , (e)foreign exchange
4. One of the following is not a problem of agricultural development in Nigeria (a) poverty , (b)land tenure, (c)pests and diseases, (d)poor transportation system, (e)availability of inputs
5. The most important factor that determines the rate of agricultural development in a country is the (a) readiness of farmers to adopt feasibly agricultural research results (b) quantity of herbicides used in a country
ESSAY
1. Discus 8 problems of agricultural development in Nigeria and suggest one possible solution to each of the problems
2. Give 6 reasons why farmers cultivate small portions of land
WEEKEND ASSIGN: Read about the importance of agriculture and the problems of agriculture in AGRIC. SC. BY M.O. ADENIJI page 2- 10.
PRE-READING ASSIGN: Read about subsistence and commercial agriculture
WEEKEND ACTIVITIES: Look around in your school environment and write the names of 12 items derived from agriculture
REFERENCE: Agric. Science. for SSS book 1 by M.O.Adeniji et-all
Essential Agricultural Science for SSS. by O. A. Iwena (TONAD Publisher Ltd)

[admin]

TOPIC: PROBLEMS OF AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT AND POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS.
CONTENTS: I. Problems
ii. Solutions
Sub-topic 1
Many developing countries in West Africa are faced with numerous problems which militate against the development of agriculture. Some of these problems are:
1. Inadequate Land or Land Tenure System
2. Poor Storage and Processing Facilities
3. Inadequate Finance of Credit Facilities.
4. Inadequate Farm Inputs
5. Inadequate Basic Amenities
6. Problems of Transportation
7. Low level of Agricultural Education and Extension
8. Unstable or Inconsistence Government Policies
9. Environmental Degradation
10. Rural-Urban Migration
11. Poor Marketing Systems.
12. Pests and Diseases Infestation.
(1)INADEQUATE LAND TENURE SYSTEMS : This problem is discussed under the following points:
a. Increase in Population increases alternative use of land for agriculture which will reduce the size of farm land
b. The type of Land Tenure system which encourages family ownership of land does not allow farmers to acquire large areas of land for commercial agriculture
c. It leads to land fragmentation which does not support mechanization.
d. Deforestation and desert encroachment contribute lack of land.
e. Soil erosion and marshy or swamping areas also contributes to lack of farm land.
SOLUTIONS
i. The land Use Decree of 1978 should be fully and judiciously implemented
ii. The government can acquire land for farm settlement scheme
iii. Cooperative farm can be encouraged
iv. Crop rotation system should be practiced by farmers
v. Fertilizers and manure should be used to increase production of crops in the available land
(2) POOR STORAGE AND PROCESSING FACILITIES
Most agricultural produce are perishable. They can not be kept or stored long except there is adequate storage and processing facilities.
a. Lot of produce are wasted
b. Reduces the quantity and quality of farm produce
c. Cost of production is increased due to high cost of storage and processing facilities.
d. Lack of technical knowhow on food storage and processing
e. Farm produce are sold off at cheap rate and consequently reduce farmer’s income
f. It leads to scarcity of produce
g. Some of modern storage and processing facilities like silos, canning and sealing machines are scarce and out of the reach of most farmers.

SOLUTIONS:
- Government should provide storage and processing facilities at subsidized rate
- More people should be trained on the technology of food storage and processing
- Government should buy excess produce from the farmers during their seasons at considerable prizes for future use
- Farmers should be encourage to construct cribs , barns and rhombus in a modern ways for proper storage of farm produce
- Supervised agricultural loans should be provided to farmers so as to purchase modern storage and processing facilities
- Government should provide chemical such as fumigants, insecticides for storing harvested produce.
- Farmers should be educated on the use of chemicals for storing farm produce
FINANCE OR CREDIT FACILITY

Sub-topic 2

(3) INADEQUATE FINANCE OR CREDIT FACILITIES
Most of the farmers are poor and the y do not have access to loans or credit facilities.
They do not collateral security to obtain loans from the bank.
Banks charge high interest rates.
When they get loans they spend it on other irrelevant things like marrying more wives and burial ceremony.
All these affect their inability to purchase.
(a) Land and agricultural tools and machinery.
(b) Improved seeds, fertilizers and other chemicals
(c) Livestock, livestock feeds and drugs.
(d) Materials for construction of farm steed house.
(e) More lands when there is need to expand the existing one.

SOLUTION
(a) More agricultural banks like Nigeria agricultural and co-operative bank
( M.AC.B) should make supervised loans to farmers
(b) Farmers should form co-operative society for easy procurement of loans from commercial banks.
(c) A law should be made by the central bank to force commercial banks to reduce interest on agricultural loans to encourage borrowing by farmers.
(d) Collateral security should be in form of guarantee rather than in material form like land and building.
(e) Loans can be given to farmers in form of agricultural inputs instead of cash.

(4) INADEQUATE FARM INPUT
Farm inputs are inadequate, very expensive, not locally manufactured but are imported at very high cost.
The available farm inputs are of poor or inferior quality, outdated and crude.
Most of the farm inputs are not produced in Nigeria rather they are imported and our farmers do not know how to operate them.
These expensive farm inputs like tractors when available are not supplied to the farmers at the right time.

SOLUTION

1. Government should subsidize the cost farm inputs.
2. Input hiring centre where expensive inputs such as tractors, bulldoze tree pullers should be established by the government for the farmers to hire at subsidized rate.
Farmers can form co-operative society and join resources together to purchase agricultural inputs.
Farm inputs like fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, feeds, drugs etc should be made available in adequate quantities to farmers by establishing selling point accessible to farmers at reduced prices.

(5) INADEQUATE BASIC AMENITIES
Social amenities like electricity and pipe born water, health care services etc are either not available or not sufficient in most of our rural areas where farming are practiced.
Farmers have no incentive to live and work with in rural areas.
Rural development programmes should include provision of bore holes in every village to make water available all the year round.
Funds should be provided to ministry of health to establish health care centre in our villages.
(6) PROBLEMS OF TRANSPORTATION
Lack of good roads hinders the transportation of our agricultural produce from the farming centres to the market places. Hence farmers are forced to sell their produce at relatively cheap prices to middle men who have the means to transport the produce to urban area.
SOLUTIONS
(1) Government should construct good roads to link farming centres and the urban areas.
(2) Encourage transportation by water so that agricultural produce from riverine areas can be transported to other areas of need.
(3) Our railway system should be developed to support other transportation system.
(4) Government should provide trucks, trailers, mini-buses to be hired at subsidized rate by farmers to transportation of agricultural produced easier and cheaper.
(7) AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION AND EXTENSION
1. Most of the farmers in Nigeria are illiterate, i.e. unable to read and write. Most farmers cannot read manufacturer’s instructions of the machines and other inputs.
 It makes it difficult for them to benefit from modern techniques of farming.
 Illiteracy makes most farmers to be conservative that unwilling to accept new ideas.
 The extension agents are not sufficient.
 The few extension officers that are available lack adequate working tools and incentives to perform their duties. These make them to lose interest in their jobs.
SOLUTIONS
 Adult education centres should be provided for the local farmers at very near distant more extension agents must be employed.
 Necessary working tools and conducive environment such as motorcycles, minibuses good accommodations that will make them nearer and accessible to the farmers.
 Demonstration farms should be established near the farmers to see and compare with their traditional methods of farming.
 Information on improved farm techniques should be made available to them in their local meetings.
 Problem of rural-urban migration.

Sub-topic 3
(8) POOR MARKETING SYSTEMS
There is no organized marketing systems of farm produce produced are sold immediately after harvest. Farmers do not receive the right prices for their produce and this discourages production. There are no standard weights and measures for controlling standards in agricultural business. The government has no effective stipulated policies on the pricing and buying of farmers’ good. The existing un-standardized measures used in the market e.g. milk cans, tins bottles and module were developed by middle men to assist them to make profits.
SOLUTION
1. Government should develop standard weights and measures for selling farmer’s products.
2. Commodity boards should be re-established to market specific crops that are produced in Nigeria.
3. Government should provide adequate storage facilities; buy the excess produce from the produce for future use.
UMPREDICTABLE CLIMATE AND POOR IRRIGATION FACILITES
 Unpredictable climate generally discourages serious farming activities.
 Low rainfall leads to poor harvest.
 High or too low temperatures do not permit the normal growth of crops over the country and due to this farmers rely on weather.
SOLUTION
 Irrigation practices should be adopted in areas of low rainfall.
 Water conservation techniques such as mulching and planting of cover crops should be practiced.
(9) INCONSISTENT GOVERNMENT POLICIES
• These policies fail to recognize the peasant farmers that produce food for the country.
• Most of the farmers do not have access to farm input provided through such policies.
• Most of the Agricultural programs are centered on fake city farmers who only collect money and them for other purposes.
SOLUTIONS
a. Dynamic agricultural policies should be formulated and implemented.
b. The policies should recognize the true and genuine farmers.
c. Government should allow private participation in agriculture.
(10) ENVIRONMENT DEGRADATION
• Flooding can lead to the destruction of crops and livestock.
• Soil erosion can wash away crops and animals.
• Swamp or water logged areas will not allow agricultural activities to lake place pollution of environment can create health hazards to man and animal deforestation reduces rainfall forest trees, and protection.
SOLUTION
 Drainage or flooding should be avoided.
 Soil erosion should be properly checked.
 Cover cropping should be checked terracing and strip cropping should also be practiced.
 Pollution and deforestation should be avoided.
(11) INSUFFICIENT SOCIAL BASIC AMENITIES.
Insufficient social basic amenities in the rural areas encourages able bodied men and women to migrate from the villages to the cities where there are better amenities such as pipe borne water electricity, health service and centres for recreation. It leads to scarcity of labour cost. It leads to decreased food and cash crops production. It leads to decrease in export and GDP.
SOLUTION
 Government should provide social amenities in rural areas.
 Provision of employment in rural areas.
 Provision of incentives to farmers in rural areas.
 Training of people on modern farming practices.
(12) PEST AND DISEASE
Pest and disease reduce the yield of agricultural produce. They also reduce the quality of the produce. Pest and diseases reduce the income of the farmer. It discourages farmers from producing.
SOLUTIONS.
 Insecticides and other chemicals use in the control of pest should subsidized and be supplied at subsidized rate.
 Pest control department should be established to control pest and diseases
 Farmers should be trained on easy identification, prevention and control of pests and diseases.
EVALUATION
OBJECTIVES
1. Most Nigerian farms sell their produce immediately after harvesting because (a) stored produce will be lost to pest (b) there are inadequate storage facilities (c) the produce is perishable (d) the prices offered for stored produce are low
2. Which of the following is not a problem of agricultural development in Nigeria? (a) Provision of food and employment (b) land tenure system (c) poor climatic condition (d) poor storage facilities
3. Wastage of agricultural products during harvesting period is mainly due to (a) inadequate storage facilities (b) adequate storage and processing facilities (c) agricultural education and extension (d) implementation of government policies on agriculture
4. Food shortage can be minimized by (a) efficient pest control services (b) natural hazards (c) hoarding (d) illegal exportation of farm produce
5. The most important climatic factor that determine the success or failure of crop production in Nigeria is (a) rainfall (b) wind (c) sunlight (d) humidity
THEORY
1. State 8 problems of agricultural development in Nigeria and suggest one possible solution to each of them
2. Discuss briefly the ways in which the following factors contribute to the problems of agricultural development in Nigeria (a) finance (b) farm input (c) transportation (d) storage and processing facilities
3. State five ways in which inadequate storage and processing facilities have affected agricultural development in Nigeria
4. List five causes of food shortage in Nigeria and give seven possible solutions tom each of the problems listed
5. State five hindrances to the development of agriculture in Nigeria and their possible solutions
WEEKEND ASSIGNMENT
Read Evans Agric Science for SSS book 1 by M.O Adeniji, et al; pages 6-8
PRE-READING ASSIGNMENT
Read Evans Agric Science for SSS book 1 by M.O Adeniji, et ak; pages 12-15
WEEKEND ACTIVITY
Differentiate between subsistence and commercial agriculture. Give seven points
REFERENCE: Evans Agric. Science. for SSS book 1 by M.O.Adeniji et-all
Essential Agricultural Science for SSS. by O. A. Iwena (TONAD Publisher Ltd)

[admin]

TOPIC: SUBSISTENCE AND COMMERCIAL AGRICULTURE

Sub-topic 1

Meaning of Subsistence and Commercial Agriculture:
Basically, agriculture is of two types. All farms are not the same. Some are rich while others are poor; some have large areas of land while others have very limited land space. The differences among all farmers categorized agriculture into two major types. These are subsistence and commercial agriculture
(a) Subsistence(farming) Agriculture: This is the type of agriculture whereby a farmer cultivates soil and rears animals in order to produce food enough to feed himself and his family, with little or none for sale.
(b) Commercial(farming) Agriculture : This is the type of farming which involves the production of cash crops and animals in large quantity . Food are produced purposely for sale. It His desire is to make maximum profit. It is therefore a profit-oriented venture/enterprise.
Characteristics of Subsistence Agriculture
• Produces purposely for family consumption.
• Small land is used for production
• Farmer and his family members do the labour.
• Simple farm tools like hoe, cutlass, spade, rake etc. are used.
• Many crops are planted on the same plot. e.g. maize, melon, yam, vegetables. In other words, he practices mixed cropping system.
• Fertilizers, herbicides, pesticides are not commonly used.
• Usually owned by peasant farmers.
• No specialization on any particular crop.
• Small capital is needed by the farmer.
Characteristics of Commercial Agriculture
• Produce purposely for sale to make maximum profit.
• Large area of land is used as a result large-scale production is made.
• Hired and skilled workers are used for labour.
• Modern farm, implements are used.
• Mono-cropping system is usually practiced e.g. only maize or rice because of the use of farm machines in farm operation.
• Fertilizers, herbicides pesticides and many other chemicals are used
• It is usually owned government or limited companies.
• It leads to specialization on certain types of crops.
• Large capital is involved.

Sub-topic 2

Difference between Subsistence and Commercial Agriculture.

SUBSISTENCE AGRICULTURE COMMERCIAL AGRICULTURE
• Produces purposely for family consumption
• Small land is required .
• Simple farm tools e.g. cutlass, hoe, axe, spade, rake, watering can etc .are used

• Mixed cropping system is practiced which does not encourage mechanization
• Family labour is used
Small capital is involved
• It is own by peasant farmers

• Fertilizers, chemicals e.g. herbicides, pesticides are not often used.
• Yields or returns are low
• It does require any special marketing strategy
• Pest and diseases are not controlled
• No formal education is required

• No need for storage and processing facilities
• Low environmental pollution
• Agrochemicals are not majorly used
• Produces purposely for sale to make profit
• Large area of land is required .
• Modern farm machinery e.g. Bulldozer, tractors, planters, combined harvesters, air craft etc. are used
• Mono-cropping system is practiced which encourages mechanization

• Hired and skilled workers are used
• Large capital is involved
• Own by Governments or Limited Companies.
• Herbicides, Pesticides and many other chemicals are used.

• Yield or returns are high
• It requires special marketing strategy

• Pests and diseases are controlled
• Formal education /special skills are required
• Processing and storage facilities are required
• High environmental pollution
• Agro-chemicals are majorly used










Family labour used in subsistence farming
















Farm machines are used in commercial farming

Sub-topic 3

PROBLEMS F SUBSISTENCE FARMING
A lot of problems are faced by subsistence agriculturists. Some of these briefly stated below.
1. Family labour supply is unreliably.
2. Crude tools are used.
3. Fragmented or small farm land.
4. Illiteracy of the farmers
5. No surplus for sale
6. Inadequate capital for investment
7. Low level of specialization
8. Pests and diseases are not controlled
9. Low return/yields.
PROBLEMS OF COMMERCIAL AGRICULTURE
Some of the problems faced by commercial agriculturists are stated briefly below.
1. Problems of acquisition of large hectares of farm land
2. It is very expensive
3. Harvesting /marketing is tedious
4. Displacement of workers
5. It can lead to soil erosion and pollution
6. Problems of storage
7. Outbreak of pests and diseases
GENERAL EVALUATION:
OBJECTIVES
1. Commercial agriculture involves the production of ----- crops and animals in large quantity (a) arable (b) commercial (c) cash (d) food (e) perennial
2. problems faced by subsistence agriculturists include the following except (a) Family labour (b) Problems of acquisition of large hectares of farm land
(C)Crude tools are used. (d)Fragmented or small farm land. (e)Illiteracy of the farmers
3. Inadequate capital for investment is a problem of (a) commercial farmers (b) agriculturist (c) subsistence farmers (d) ministry of agriculture (e) agricultural finance institutions (e) agro-allied industries
4. Food shortage or food scarcity is a major problem facing (a) developing countries (b) developed countries (c) underdeveloped and developed countries (d) European countries (e) U.S.A
5. Which of these is not a characteristics of commercial agriculture? (a)Fertilizers, herbicides pesticides and many other chemicals are used (b)It is usually owned government or limited companies. (c)It leads to specialization on certain types of crops. (d) No specialization on any particular crop. (e)Large capital is involved.
ESSAY:
1. List 4 characteristics of (a) subsistence agriculture (b) commercial agriculture
2. In a tabular form state 7 differences between subsistence and commercial agriculture.
WEEKEND ASSIGN: Read more about commercial and subsistence agriculture from Agric. Sc. By Adeniji M.O. et-al
PRE-READING ASSIGN: Read about the Role of Government in Agricultural Development
WEEKEND ACTIVITIES: Write 10 names of local farmer and some of the implements they use. Write 7 names of commercial farmers and some equipment they use
REFERENCE: Agric. Science. for SSS book 1 by M.O.Adeniji et-all
Essential Agricultural Science for SSS. by O. A. Iwena (TONAD Publisher Ltd)

[admin]

Topic : ROLES OF GOVERNMENT IN AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION
In the past agriculture used you be the main stay of the economy but when petroleum was discovered agriculture was neglected, food production became relatively low and a lot of was spent importing food from overseas.
To safe guard the situation and solve the numerous problems which resulted in the poor development of agriculture, the government has to play an important role in the development of agriculture.
The role of the government in agricultural production include
1. Provision of financial assistance
The government through its various agencies has helped in the provision of financial assistance to farmers in form of loans and subsidies. Such agencies include:
N. A. C.B: Nigerian Agricultural and Co-operative bank.
A. C. G. S: Agricultural Credit Guarantee scheme.
N. D. E: National Directorate of Employment.
All these were established to give loans to farmers. The government also directs commercial banks to give loans to farmer in order to boost the production. The government can also assist farmers in form of credit or subsidies.
AGRICULTURAL CREDITS: This is a refundable loan given to a farmer with the aim that the farmer will repay it after a specified period of time.
AGRICULTURAL SUBSIDIES: These are non refundable aids granted to a farmer. Subsidies are given to farmers in cash or in kind without the intention of paying back, examples of agricultural subsidies include: Reduction in price of inputs such as fertilizers, improved seeds chemicals etc.
The government in providing agricultural subsidies is to raise the standard of living of the farmers so as to meet that of the other sectors of the economy. To also help in keeping down the consumer price of agricultural produce. It also encourages farmers to increase their production.
Agricultural Regulations
These are the rules made by the government to control agricultural activities. They vary from to place. For example it is illegal to fell trees, set fire on savannah lands, or hunt in government reserves. It is also criminal to use chemicals to kill fish.
Agricultural education
Adult literacy programmes in the rural area to educate our farmers so that the farmers will be able to appreciate modern method of farming. The teaching of agricultural science is encouraged in government primary and secondary schools.
Government establishes university of agriculture to enhance the teaching of agriculture.
All our tertiary institution such as colleges of education, polytechnics and universities have departments that train students and make researches
AGRICULTURAL POLICIES: A policy may be defined as a plan of action or statement of aims and ideas made by the government.
Every country has its own agricultural policies; the goal of agricultural policies are summarised below.
1. Increasing the production of good quality food.
2. Improving production efficiency of export crops so as to ensure better foreign exchange earnings.
3. To provide employment opportunity through the establishment of large farms.
4. Supply of raw material to agro-allied industry.
5. Mechanizing farming for increased output and income for farmers.
6. To develop livestock production to an extent of solving shortage problem of animal protein among generality of the population.
AGRICULTURAL PROGRAMMES
After the policies have been stated, a programme will be drawn up for successful implementation.
A programme is a projection of what is to be done in the future wile a plan is the organisation of goals and the means of attaining them. Some of the government programmes are enumerated below.
(a) Agricultural loan scheme
(b) River basin development
(c) Cocoa rehabilitation scheme
(d) Farm settlement scheme
(e) Operation feed the nation
(f) Green revolution
(g) Agricultural development project ( ADP)
(h) Fertilizer production scheme
(i) National agricultural land development ( NALDA)
(j) Directorate for food road and rural infrastructure ( DFFRI)
(k) National accelerated industrial crop production (NAICPS)
(l) National accelerated food production programme ( NAFPP)
(m) Agro service centre
(n) Farm settlement scheme
(o) Co-operative farming
MAJOR OBJECTIVES OF THE AGRICULTURAL PROGRAMME
(i) .Agricultural loans scheme: To provide fund for financing agricultural projects
To provide soft loans to farmers
(ii) RIVER BASIN DEVELOPMENT AUTHOURITHIES
This programme was set up by the federal government between 1979-1983 the aim were
(a) To provide irrigation facility through construction of dams.
(b) To provide portable water to the rural people for increased agricultural production.
(c) It helps to bring more land under cultivation by increasing the farm size
(d) Construction of feeder roads to project sites.
(e) Construction of fish ponds thereby enhancing the distribution of fingerlings to fish farmers.
(iii) NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL INSURANCE SCHEME ( NAIS)
(a) To provide security against risk of uncertainty and Hazards in agriculture for farmers.
(iv) THE GREEN REVOLUTION
The green revolution was also set up between 1979 and 1983 by the federal government.
Aims are:
(a) To encourage large scale farming
(b) To establish river basin authority
(c) To produce abundant food crop for local consumption
(d) To produce cash crops for export purposes
(v) OPERATION FEED THE NATION
It was set up by General Olusegun Obasanjo Military administration between 1976 and 1979.
The aim of the programme were
(a)To increase food production
(b)To popularise agriculture
(c)To provide food for all Nigerians
(d)To facilitate agricultural development in all parts of Nigeria
(vi) AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS
The programme started in 1975, it was co-financed by world bank, federal government and state government. The aims were
(a) To boost agricultural production through the construction of farm service centres for efficient distribution of agricultural inputs
(b) To construct rural infrastructures such as federal roads and earth dams.
(c) To increase the level of extension contacts with farmers.
(d) To bring agricultural services closer to the people in rural areas.
(e) To source and make available farm inputs to farmers, e g improved seed, chemicals, fertilizers etc.
(vii) DIRECTORATE FOR FOOD, ROAD AND RURAL INFRASTRUCTURE ( DFRRI)
The programme was established by the federal government, the aims were
(a) To provide rural infrastructure that would facilitate food production.
(b) To provide electricity to rural dwellers.
(c) To provide rural infrastructure that would improve the quality of life for rural dwellers e g. Water, roads etc.
(d) To provide rural infrastructure that would facilitate food production.
(viii) AGRO SERVICE CENTRES
The aims were
(a) To provide expert service to farmers.
(b) To supply vaccines and drugs to farmers
(c) To supply spare parts for agricultural machines.
(ix) FARM SETTLEMENT SCHEME ( FSS)
The scheme was established by the then western region government of Nigeria. The aims and objective were
(a) To stimulate small rural farmers to increase their production.
(b) To develop a modern farming system in order to attract young and educated people into farming.
(c) To alleviate unemployment or provide job for the teaming population.
(d) To check the land tenure system.
(x) CO-OPERATIVE FARMING
Co-operative is kind of farming initiated government in which a group of farmers come together for farming purposes. Co-operative farming play numerous role.
(a) The organisations makes provision for employment ( labour)
(b) They provide farm inputs for members.
(c) They provide processing facilities for their member.
(d) They make provision of facilities storage for members.
(e) The organisation makes provisions for a ready market for farm produce.
(f) They provide training facilities and opportunities to member.
(g) They provide funds or capital to members.
(h) They create awareness among members on what, when and how to produce.
(i) Co-operative organisations enhance investment opportunity.
(6.) PROVISION OF RESEARCH WORK
The government also set up numerous research institutes to provide solution to the problems of local crops and animals so as to increase production.
Examples of research institutes established by government include.
(a) National cereals research institute (NCRI) Badagri.
(b) Cocoa research institute of Nigeria ( CRIN) Ibadan.
(c) Nigeria institute for oil palm research ( NIFOR) Benin.
(d) National institute of tripanosomiasis ( NITR).
(e) National horticultural research institute ( NIHORT) Ibadan.
(f) Rubber research institute of Nigeria ( RRIN).
(g) National root crop research institute (NRCRI) Umudike.
(h) Forest research institute of Nigeria (FRIN) Ibadan.
(i) National veterinary research institute of Nigeria ( NVRI) VOM
(j) International institute of tropical agriculture ( IITA) Ibadan.
(k) Lake chard research of Nigeria Zaria.
Aims and objectives of agricultural research are
(a) Agricultural research are the centre for the development of new farming technologies or practice.
(b) To develop improved variety of a large number of crops such as palm trees, coconut ,rubber, cocoa, maize, cassava etc.
(c) To develop better methods of controlling pest and disease of some cops and animals.
(d) To develop effective local methods of storing farming produce.
(e) They have developed vaccines for preventing and controlling diseases of animals.
(7) PROVISION OF FARM INPUT
Farm inputs like chemicals, farm tools and implements, fertilizer, improved seeds were not provided by the government in sufficient quantities but were subsidised to enable peasant farmers buy and use them.
(8) PROVISION OF BASIC AMENITIES
In order to discourage the migration of able bodied men and youth from rural to urban areas.
The government decided to provide basic amenities such as electricity, health care service and pipe born water in rural areas.
These amenities enable people to stay in the rural areas farm.
(9) PROVISION OF STORAGE AND PROCESSING FACILITIES
In order to prevent food wastage and provide food in periods of scarcity, the government decided to provide storage and processing facilities in all [arts of the country.
(10).PROVISION OF EFFECTIVE TRANSPORTATION NETWORK
The government through its agencies like directorate for food, road and rural infrastructure DFFRI has helped in the construction of road in rural areas to ease the transportation of produce from without good roads and vehicles most of the produce will be wanted and this may discourage the farmers.
(11). PROVISION OF EXTENSION SERVICES
Extension services enable new ideas and innovations to get to the rural farmers. Government has helped to employ qualified and experienced officers to perform this role.
(12).PROVISION OF AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION
In view of the fact that majority of Nigeria farmers are illiterate, the government decided to provide adult education e g nomadic education form cattle Fulani in order to enable them to read and write, apply modern system of farming and also promote easy acceptance of new techniques and innovations in agriculture. Government also encourages the teaching agriculture in schools.
GOVERNMENT ORGANIZATIONS INVOLVED IN IMPROVING AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION IN WEST AFRICA
1. Agricultural development projects ( ADPs)
2. River Basin Development Authorities
3. National Agricultural Land Development Authority ( NALDA)
4. Agricultural Development Bank (ADB) or any Agricultural Bank e g N.A.C.B
5. National Agricultural insurance company NAIC
6. Any of the National Agricultural Research institutes

GENERAL EVALUATION
1.Name six governments that are involved in the improvement of agricultural production in west Africa. State five ways in which government contribute to agricultural productivity in west Africa.
2.Mention five agricultural five agricultural research institutes in Nigeria
3.List ten agricultural programmes established by the government to develop agriculture in Nigeria
4.Enumerate five roles of government i agricultural production
5.State four objectives of each of
(j) Farm settlement scheme
(ii) National insurance scheme
(iii) Directorate of food, roads and rural infrastructure
OBJECTIVE QUESTION
1.Which of the following statement about farm settlement scheme is false (a) to encourage young people to take up farming (b) to provide employment for young school leaver (c) to develop rural infrastructure for research and publicity
2.Which of the following is not a government agricultural programme
(a) operation feed the nation
(b) agricultural development project
(c) farm settlement scheme
(d) west African development agency
3.Which of the following constitute direct monetary cash assistance from government
(a) extension service
(b) loans
(c) supply of inputs
(d) agricultural development programme
4.The provision of farm input to farmers by the government can be best describe as
(a) loan
(b) Capital
(c) Credit
(d) Subsidy
5.National Institute of Trypanosomiasis research has its head quarter at
(a) Kaduna
(b) Kano
(c) Port Harcourt
(d) Lagos
Pre-reading assignment
Essential of Agriculture for SSS pages 153 - 160
REFERENCE: Agric. Science. for SSS book 1 by M.O.Adeniji et-all
Essential Agricultural Science for SSS. by O. A. Iwena (TONAD Publisher Ltd)

[admin]

TOPIC: THE ROLE OF NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANISATION (NGO)
Contents: 1. Meaning and importance of non-governmental organization
2. Roles of NGO’S in agricultural development
Sub-topic: 1
Meaning of Non-Governmental Organization (NGO): These are bodies set up by private agencies or corporate bodies to develop agriculture all over the globe. They are independent of government.
Characteristics of NGOS
i. They are established by private agencies
ii. They are controlled by the government
iii. They are privately funded
iv. Their activities cut across many countries of improving crops and livestock breeds
v. They ate not profit making
vi. They do not pay corporate taxes
EXAMPLES of NGOS involved in improving agricultural production are:
a. International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA)
b. West African Rice Development Agencies (WARDA)
c. International Livestock Centre for Africa (ILCA)
d. International Crop Research Institute for Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT)
e. International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI)
f. Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO)
g. Farmer’s Cooperatives
h. World Vision International (in Ghana)
i. Hunger Projects (in Ghana)
j. Adventist Relief Agency (in Ghana and Gambia)
k. Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO)
l. International Fund for Agricultural Development (FAD)
Sub-topic 2:
THE ROLES / IMPORTANCE OF NGO IN AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT
The different NGOS involves in agricultural development perform the following roles.
1. They assist in rural development by providing social amenities like roads, water supply health centers etc
2. They carry out research to improve or develop breeds of animals as well as new crop varieties.
3. They provide financial support or funding for agricultural extension projects
4. They help the farmers to acquire agricultural knowledge
5. They carry out social-economic research so as to assist the peasant farmers
6. They provide chemical to farmers for controlling weeds, pests and disease organism.
EVALUATION
OBJECTIVES:
1. Government assist the farmers in form of moneytary cash through one of the following means. (a) extension services (b)loans (c) supply of inputs (d) acquisition of land (d) Agricultural Development Programmes
2. One of the following is not the role of government in agricultural production? (a) provision of loans and credits (b) building of storage facilities (c) provision of labour (d) provision of subsidies (e) provision of markets for agricultural produce
3. The following are characteristics of NGO EXCEPT (a)They are established by private agencies (b)They are controlled by the government (c) They are privately funded
(d)They ate not profit making (e) They pay corporate taxes
4. International Livestock Centre for Africa is abbreviated as (a) ICAA, (b) ILCA, (c) ICLA, (D) IICA (e) CALA
5. One of following is not an NGO involved in agricultural developmen.
(a) International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA)
a. West African Rice Development Agencies (WARDA)
b. Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources (MANR)
c. International Crop Research Institute for Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT)
d. International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI)
ESSAY
1. What are NGOs?
2. Enumerate the roles of government in agricultural production
REFERENCE: Agric. Science. for SSS book 1 by M.O.Adeniji et-all
Essential Agricultural Science for SSS. by O. A. Iwena (TONAD Publisher Ltd)

[admin]

TOPIC: AGRICULTURAL LAWS AND REFORMS
CONTENTS: (a)Land Tenure system in Nigeria
(b)The land use decree of 1978 and its implications
(c) Advantages and Disadvantages of the land use decree in Nigeria.
Sub-topic 1: LAND TENURE SYSTEM IN NIGERIA.
Definition: Land Tenure is defined as the system of land ownership or acquisition by individuals, family, community or government agencies either for temporal or permanent use.
Classification of Land Tenure System
a. Communal land tenure
b. Land tenure by inheritance
c. Land tenure by purchase or freehold
d. Land tenure by free gift or pledge
e. Tenant at the will of government
Brief explanation of the above is given below:
COMMUNAL LAND TENURE SYSTEM: This is the whereby land belong to the community. The head of the community decides the basis of sharing out land .Every adult especially male member of the community is allocate a piece of land.
Advantages:
1. Every adult member of the community can acquire land and each person has full right to the land allocated to him
2. It is cheap to acquire as no cost is involved
3. It is ideal for large scale farming
4. It facilitate land development
5. Farmers cooperative may be easily organized
Disadvantages:
1. Non-indigenes of the community cannot acquire land or have access to it.
2. Permanent crops or perennial crops are not allowed on the land because land is allocated for only a farming season.
3. Sales of land is not allowed
4. Mechanized farming cannot be practiced without the permission of the whole community.
5. Allocated land can be revoked by a new leader
6. Land cannot be used as collateral for loans except when the community approves it.
7. Increase in population tends to reduce the size of the farmland

INDIVIDUAL LAND TENURE: This is a system of ownership where land can be acquired by individual either make or female.
Advantages:
1. Male and female can acquire any size of land
2. Permanent crops can be cultivated.
3. The owner has authority as to how the land is used
4. Land can be used as a collateral for loans
5. Land can be mechanized for agriculture
Disadvantages:
1. Only the rich may acquire land at certain areas like GRA
2. Land belonging to an individual may not be used for agricultural activity
3. Land may be acquired in fragments.

LAND TENURE BY INHERITANCE
This a system whereby a piece of land can be acquired at the death of a parent. Hence, land can now be transferred from generation to generation. Land can also be acquired by a child when a piece of land is transferred to him or her.
ADVANTAGES
1. It is the most readily available tenure system open to farmers
2. Permanent crops like cocoa can be planted
3. Land canbe used as collateral in obtaining loans from banks
4. Legitimate and illegitimate children have access to land
DISADVANTAGES
1. It leads to land fragmentation which does not encourage commercial farming.
2. Land sharing may lead to bitterness and hatred among family members.
3. In most families , says of land is not acceptable because it may deprive future generation of their inheritance
4. Ownership is sometimes difficult to determined especially in polygamous families where every first born male child is a head
5. Land is not readily available for every body

Sub-topic 2
PURCHASE OR FREEHOLD TENURE SYSTEM
It is a system whereby a person pays a certain amount of money for the acquisition of a piece of land . The land become the real property of the purchaser
ADVANTAGES
1. Permanent crops can be cultivated on the land
2. Land can be used as a collateral for obtaining loans from banks
3. Both male and female can acquire land provided the prize is paid
4. There is a maximum use of land to increase production
DISADVANTAGES
1. Land may be expensive
2. Prospective farmers may not have access to the required land
3. Farmers may falls into the hands of illegal sales agents because the real owners may not be known
4. The farmers may not have enough money to buy large expanse of land for large scale farming
GIFT TENURE SYSTEM
This is a system in which a piece of land is given out by a person voluntarily to another for the good work done by that person. Gift land can be between individuals, government and her citizens.
ADVANTAGES
1. Land on gift is irredeemable
2. Permanent crops and keeping of animals are acceptable
3. It can be used to source for loans from financial institytions.
DISADVANTAGES
1. Land given out that is not backed up by proper documentation can be retrieved by the giver
2. The rue ownership can be challenged and revoked by a cannot order
3. There can be serious disagreement between the offspring of the giver and the beneficiary.
RENT TENURE SYSTEM
This is a system whereby a tenant pays some amount for a period of using the land to a stated landlord. The period of rentage is relatively very short compared to leasehold system.
1. It is ideal for food crop production
2. The farmer can make the best use of land during the rentage period
DISADVNATAGES
1. The landlord can revoke the tenancy when the rent period expires
2. The farmer cannot plan very well on the land since there so much uncertainty as to the continuous use of the land
3. Land cannot be used as a collateral for loan from financial institutions.
4. Development on land is very slow.

TENANT AT THE WILL OF GOVERNMENT
This system is where a piece of land is given out to the farmers by the government by paying a stipulated amount of money. Any farmer using such land is at the mercy of the government that allocated the land.
ADVANTAGES
1. Poor and rich farmers can have access to the land
2. Women can be given land in this type of land tenure system.
3. The land is cheap to acquire and period of grace is given before paying rent.
4. The land is wisely use for production purposes
DISADVANTAGES
1. There is too much regulations and control on the land.
2. The land can revoked if the tenants fail to meet two to three installments.
3. Land cannot be used as a collateral for loans
4. Permanent crops cannot be cultivated

Sub-topic 3
THE LAND USE DECREE OF 1978AND ITS IMPLICATIONS
Land Use Decree is the decree that removed ownership from the traditional land owners and placed it in the hands of government.
The decree was promulgated by the Federal Government of Nigeria in 1978 during the reign of General Olusegun Obasanjo.
Features of the Land Use Act (Decree)
1. It was promulgated by the Federal Government in March 29, 1978
2. It takes of the inadequacies inherent in land ownership in Nigeria.
3. All land in the country is vested in the federal government
4. Each state is empowered to act on behalf of the federal government in all matters related to land use in the state
5. To be a legal owner of a piece of land , Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) must be obtained from the federal government on the acquired land
6. Every Nigerian is qualified to acquire land for use once they have attained the age of 21 years
7. The decree stipulate that individual can only use a piece of land for 99 years after which the land reverts to the government
8. That farmers should not be allocated more than 500 hectares of land for crop production or 500 hectares for grazing animals.


Aims Of Land Use Decree
• It encourages proper and efficient use of land
• It allocates land and creates opportunities for enterprising farmers to acquire more land
• It facilitates planning or formation of programs for a particular land use
• It streamlines and simplifies the management and ownership of land in the country
• It removes the unpleasant controversies which land had generated in Nigeria.

IMPLICATIONS OF THE LAND USE ACT
The Land Use Act of 1978 has the following implications
 Individual ownership of land now ceases. The only relationship between an individual and the land is that of use
 Land can be obtained by anybody who needs it. Enough land is therefore made available for agriculture and industries.
 The decree does not dispose any Nigerian of his acquire property which is being lawfully and optimally used
 To prevent the practice of buying large expanse of land at cheap prize and selling it at a very high prize in the future
 It allows any individual above the age of 21years to apply for Certificate of Occupancy

Advantages Of Land Use Decree
i. Land acquisition for new entrants into agriculture become easier
ii. It has reduced the number and frequency of court cases over lane ownership
iii. People can acquire land outside their tribe or state . That is any where within Nigeria
iv. Certificate of Occupancy can be used to source for loan from banks
v. It prevents fragmentation of land since land acquired under the decree can not be shared into bits
vi. Large hectares of land can be acquired for agricultural purposes.
DISADVANTAGES
i. It makes difficult for the federal government to acquire land
ii. Land acquisition now lies on the few rich individuals.
iii. The state governor can abuse his power by revoking the Certificate of Occupancy prematurely
iv. It makes land use difficult
v. It creates room for irregularities as many land speculators may backdate land agreement before the decree.
vi. It may delay the execution of projects as the governor might not sign the Certificate of Occupancy on time.
vii. Cost of land survey has escalated
viii. It makes land held by inheritance insecure before the land Use Act.
ix. Land is not necessarily allocated to every potential agricultural developer.
EVALUATION
OBJECTIVES:
1. Which of the following is not a disadvantage of tenant at the will of government? (a)There is too much regulations and control on the land.
(b)The land can revoked if the tenants fail to meet two to three installments.
(c)Land cannot be used as collateral for loans
(d) Permanent crops cannot be cultivated
(e) The land is wisely use for production purposes
2. Which of the following is an advantage of communal land tenure system? (a) it encourages modern agriculture. (b) each member of the community can own land (c) the land can be used as collateral (d) farm labor can easily be employed (e) the user of a piece of becomes the owner of it.
3. Which of the following statement is not correct about the Land Use Act ? (a) land cannot be used for any purpose (b) government has control over unused land (c) it does not lead to land fragmentation (d) it aims at re-allocation of land for farming purposes . (e) It encourages proper and efficient use of land
4. Most agricultural policies do not benefit rural community because (a) they aim at benefiting the national economy. (b) of poor implementation (c) inadequate foreign exchange to import the required expertise (d) they are formulated by non-practicing farmers (e) they are not well publicized .
5. The Nigeria Land Use Act of 1978 puts the right of ownership of land on the (a) farmers association (b) the head of the family unit (c) traditional rulers (d) governor of the state (e) the ministry of land and wurvey
ESSAY
1. Describe briefly 4 types of individual tenure system
2. List 4 advantages and 4 disadvantages of the land use act
WEEKEND ASSSIGN: Read more about the land tenure system and Land Use Act from AGRIC. SC. By M.O. ADENIJI et-al
PRE-READING ASSIGN: Read about Agricultural Ecology
WEEKEND ACTIVITIES: Get the land Use Act of Nigeria from the internet and suggest 4 ways it can be amended to suit the technological advancement in the nation.
REFERENCE: Agric. Science. for SSS book 1 by M.O.Adeniji et-all
Essential Agricultural Science for SSS. by O. A. Iwena (TONAD Publisher Ltd)

[admin]

TOPIC: MEANING AND IMPORTANCE OF AGRICULTUAL ECOLOGY
CLASS: S. S. 1

SUB TOPIC: MEANING OF AGRICULTURE ECOLOGY AND ECO-SYSTEM
The goal of agriculture is to provide food for the nation.
The business of agriculture is carried out within the ecosystem.
Therefore the environment is very important because it constitutes all the physical surrounding around us. All the living organisms that have been domesticated by man in agriculture are all the components of the environment.
These domesticated plant and animal species interact together in the environment to form the agro-ecological system.

Meaning of Agro-ecology and Ecosystem
Ecology is the study of the relationship between organisms and their environment. The study of an individual organisms or a single species is termed autecology while the study of groups of organisms is called synecology. Human activites have interfered with the complex ecological relationships. Such human activities include agricultural activities like:
• Large scale farming that involves the use of pesticides, herbicide, insecticides etc.
• Expansive land clearing
• Oil exploration.
• Construction
• Urbanization
These have seriously disturbed the natural balance in the ecosystems.
Definition
Agricultural ecology is the study of agricultural ecosystems and their biotic and abiotic components as they function within themselves and in the context of the landscapes that contain them.
Application of this knowledge can lead to development of more substainable agricultural ecosystems that are in harmony with their larger ecosystem and eco-region.
The ecological system is usually written simple as ecosystem and it consists of the complex interactions between plants and animals in their natural environment.
It is a natural system of relationships in which energy and matter are circulated in a continuing cycle in the environment.
It is also a net work of systems in which different kinds of organism depend on one another for food supply and survival.
This complex net work of food dependence is often described as food chain or food web.


SUBTOPIC 2
COMPONENTS OF FARM ECOSYSTEM
The agricultural ecosystem is made up of both living (biotic) and non living (biotic) component and together they constitute the ecosystem structure.
The non-living matter constitutes the abiotic factors while the different living organisms such as the plants and animals in their environment are called the biotic factors.

ABIOTIC FACTORS
The abiotic factors are also known as the physical factors of the environment and they consist of: (i) The climatic factors (ii) The physiographic factors (land shape form) (iii) The edaphic (soil) factors.
• The climate is made up to the weather factors such as the rainfall, humidity temperature wind and sunshine as they affect the living components. The physiographic factors consist of the topography and other features that relate to the shape of the land and terrain.
The edaphic factors relate to the soil and its characteristics condition such as the structure texture soil air and the soil pH.

BIOTIC COMPONENT OF THE ECOSYSTEM
The biotic or the living components of the ecosystem are derived into two categories (i) The autotrophs (ii) The heterotrophs
AUTOTROPHS (Food Producers)
These are the organisms that are capable of synthesizing their own food from in organic material such as nitrogen phosphorus and potassium taken from the medium in which they grow whether soil or water using the solar energy from the sun by a process known as photosynthesis.
All green plants and some forms of bacteria (chemosynthetic) are examples of autotrophs. They are also known as producers in a food chain as they are able to produce their own food.
This food is directly or indirectly used by other species along the food chain


CHARACTERISTICS
Autotrophs are self feeling or self sustaining members of the ecosystem. They synthesize complex organic compounds such as carbohydrates, proteins and fats from simple inorganic molecules with the help of sunlight energy or by inorganic chemical reactions (chemosynthesis). This phenomena is referred to as autotorphism depending on the method by which they synthesis their food autotrophs are further classified into two categories (i) Phototrophs (ii) Chemoautotrophs.
• Phototropsh: These are mostly plants which use high as source of energy.
• Chemoautotrophs: Bacteria or fungi that obatain their food by inorganic chemical reactions.

HETEROTROPH (Food Consumers)
These are organisms that depend on other organisms or readymade food for its survival. The phenomenon is called heterotrophism. They obtain energy and matter from the organic molecules that are made by the autotrophs. They cannot synthesize complex food material from simple inorganic source like the autotrophs
Therefore they depend on the producers (the plants) or autotrophs for the supply of organic compounds that they require for their growth. Examples of heterotrophs are animal protozoa and some bacteria. Heterotrophs are also classified into two categories depending on the energy.
• Photoheterotophs
• Chemoheterotrophs
The consumers (hetetrotrophs) are further classified into different categories based on their mode of consumption as follows
Herbivore: These are the hetrotrophs that obtain their energy and matter directly from plants.
Carnivores: These are animals which feed on other animals. They are also called secondary consumers.

Similarities between the Autotrophs and Heterotrophs
• They are both organisms and they are part of some ecosystem
• They both form various trophic levels in the food pyramid
• Both Autotrophs require sunlight and water to live and obtain energy by conversion of chemical molecules.

Differences between Autotrophs and heterotrophs
Autotrophs Heterotrophs
• They can synthesize their own They use already made organic
Food through photosynthesis molecules from the autotrophs
Or chemosynthesis

• Autotrophs contain the pigment Chlorophyll is absent in almost
Chlorophyll plays a key role all heterotrophs.
In synthesis of food

• Autotrophs obtain energy by Heterotrophs convert complex
Converting in organic raw organic compounds into simpler
Compounds ones to obtain energy


Omnivores: These are animals that feed on both plants and animals SAPROBES (Decomposers). These are organisms down remains of dead plants and animals.

FARM ECOSYSTEM COMPONENTS

ECOSYSTEM



Biotic component Abiotic component





Autotrophs Decomposers Heterotrophs
(Producers) (Consumers)

A chart showing components of Farm ecosystem


SUB TOPIC 3
INTERACTIONS OF THE TERESTRIAL AND AQUATIC AGRO ECOSYSTEM
The biotic and abiotic components interact within themselves and with each other, these interactions are largely manifested in their feeding relationships otherwise known as the food chain
• Predator: This is a relationship in which one organism eats another. Herbivore eat plants, carnivores eat animals. An example of predator is the praying mantis (predator) which preys on the grasshopper (prey(
This is similar to predator in that one species benefit at the expense of the other. The differences are that the host is not usually killed in the process and the parasite can be located inside the body of the host such as roundworm.
These are called internal parasites or endo parasite.
They may however be located on the external part of the host body such as ticks and leeches. These are called external parasite or ectoparasites.
Examples are plant sucking insect such as aphids and mealy bugs
Commensalism: This is the type of relationship where an individual called the commensal benefit the host is neither harmed nor helped by the interaction. For example the epiphytes on the trunks of rain forest trees in Nigeria are helped by the trees which give them a surface on which to grow but the trees do not seem to be disturbed by the epiphytes unless the weight of the epiphytes gets heavy and the tree branches break or fall off.
Mutualism: This happens when two or more organisms of different species benefit from their association. It can also be called sysmbiosis. A good example is the relationship between pollinators and plants benefited because their plants are transferred from flower to flower for pollination.
The pollinator which is the (bee or butterfly beetle or humming bird) obtain food in the form of heater or pollen. These interactions occurs between species in every ecosystem
Examples of Interactions in the Agro Eco-system under different Cropping systems
Mono or sole cropping
This is a cropping system where by a single crop is planted at a wide expanse of land at a time. The planted crop will favour only a particular group of animals that depend on it. Other organisms that are not favoured or associated with the crop for food, shelter or reproductive purpose will either migrate away from the plantation or starve to death. This cropping system encourages out break concentration of a particular pest.
Most relationship between the animal and the host plant are parasite in this setting. Example is aphids on cowpea or stem borers in maize etc.
MIXED CROPPING
This is a cropping system in which more than one crop is planted a piece or wide area of land at a time. This system provides mutual benefit when the right combination of crops is planted together.
For example maize and cowpea planted together will bring mutual benefits as the cowpea will supply nitrogen to the maize while the maize will hinder the pest of cowpea to build up after harvesting.
MIXED FARMING
This is the type of farming system where crops and Animals are kept. The animals may be integrated to a plantation crop such as rubber plantation or forest trees. Mostly often the animals feed on some controlled portion of the vegetation while the dropping from the animal pens soil for plant to grow.
FISH POND
In aquatic agro ecosystem as obtained in fish ponds, the food producers are portist e.g diatoms algae and spirogyra also known as are water fleas, tadpoles and fishes. The food chains in aquatic agro-ecosystem.



Phytoplankton, Shrimps, small and big fishes

The food producers in an agro-ecosystem (e.g spirogyra, diatoms) use the sums of energy and nutrients from the abiotic environment to make food, the energy and nutrients in the food is utilized thus.
• It us passed to heterotrophs when they feed on plant and on one another
• It is also passed to decomposers when they feed on dead organisms. As the energy in the food is passed from organisms, some are lost into the environment and cannot be used again. But their nutrient are released abiotic environment and can be used again by food producers. It is therefore obvious that an agro-eco system is a functional unit as we observe that the following are accomplished.
• There is a flow of energy
• A recycling of inorganic nutrients.


GENERAL EVALUATION
ESSAY
• Explain the meaning of the following (a) Agricultural (b) Agricultural ecosystem
• List and explain the components of a farm ecosystem
• Distinguish between autotrophs, heterotrophs and decomposers given example.
OBJECTIVES QUESTIONS
• Agricultural ecology can be defined as (a) the study of agricultural ecosystem and their biotic and abiotic components as they function within the context of the landscapes that contain them (b) the application that can lead to development of more biotic and abiotic ecosystems that is in harmony with their larger ecosystem and eco region (c) the study of the complex interaction between plants and animals in their physical environment (d) the complex net work of food inter dependence.
• The major source of energy for almost all ecosystems on the earth is a (a) moon (b) sun (c) stars (d) fuel
• A major process by which autotrophs manufactures food is (a) photosynthesis (b) chemosynthesis (c) thermosynthesis (d) thigmosynthesis
• The biological relationship in which one organism eats another is called (a) cannibalism (b) predator (c) parasitism (d)mutualism
• A carnivorous plant consumes insects because the soil in which they grow is very (a) fetile in nutrients (b) rich in nutrients (c) wealthy in nutrients (d) poor in nutrients and the plants need more nitrogen.
PRE – READING ASSIGNMENTS
Agricultural science for SSS by M.O Adeniji .
REFERENCE: Agric. Science. for SSS book 1 by M.O.Adeniji et-all
Essential Agricultural Science for SSS. by O. A. Iwena (TONAD Publisher Ltd)

[admin]

TOPIC: LAND AND TS USES
CONTENT: (a) Meaning and Characteristics of land
(b)Uses of land : Agricultural purposes-crop production, wild life conservation
(c) Non-Agricultural Purposes: industry-Housing, transport etc.
Sub-topic 1: MEANING OF LAND
Land can be defined as the solid parts of the earth’s surface which comprise of water, air , soil, rocks, minerals, natural vegetation and animals and suitable for agricultural production.
Characteristically ,Land is a free gift of nature , it is immobile , limited in supply and It is a factor of agricultural production.
Classification of land based: Land can be classified based on the uses they are put into. Thus we have:
(A) AGRICULTURAL LAND.- The includes land for i. crop production, ii. Livestock production, and iii. Fisheries.
Uses of Land for Agricultural Production
(1)Production of Crops: Land is used for producing both food crops like yam, maize, rice, cassava, cowpea etc and cash crops like cocoa, rubber, oil palm, cotton etc
Importance or merits of crops: The importance of crops include
- Provision of food.
- Provision of employment,
- Provision of income.
- Provision of raw materials
- It aids the development of towns
- Some crops are sources of foreign exchange
(2) Production of Livestock: Land is used for rearing various type of livestock like cattle, goats, sheep, poultry, fishery piggery, for apiculture and for heliculture.
Importance or merits of livestock. The production of livestock enables man to derive the following benefits:
- Provision of food in form of proteins from meat, eggs, milk
- It provides feed for animals
- It provides employment
- It provides skin and hides for making leather materials
- It also provides foreign exchange from exported products of livestock.
Sub-topic 2:
(3) Forestry: Part of the use of agricultural land is for forestry. It involves the management of forest and its resources . In some forest reserves , taungya farming are practiced, which serves as a means of income generation to the government.
Below are the names of some forest reserves in Nigeria.
No Name of reserve State where it is found
1. Mamu River Forest Reserve Anambra
2 Omo Forest Reserve Ogun
3 Afi River Forest Reserve Cross River
4 Okomu Forest Reserve Edo
5 Anara Forest Reserve Kaduna
6 Shasha River Forest Reserve Ogun
7. Zamfara Forest Riserve Zamfara
8 Sanga River Forest Reserve Plateau

Importance of Forest: The following are some of the importance of forest
- Provision of food e.g fruits , seeds, nuts
- Provision of fuel e.g fire wood
- Provision of medicinal herbs
- Provision of employment
- Prevention of soil erosion
- Serves as home for wild animals
- Provision of timber for furniture
(4) Wild-Life Conservation: Agricultural land is as well used for keeping wildlife(animals and birds found in the bush). Lands which is not suitable for crops and animas production are used for wildlife conservation.
Game Reserves are places where wild animals are conserved to avoid extinction while they are carefully wisely exploited.
Examples of Game Reserve in Nigeria.
• Yankari Game Reserve in Bauchi state
• Kainji National Park in Kogi state
• Zugurman Game Reserve in Niger state
• Borgu Game Reserve in Kwara state
Some animals conserved in game reserve includes elephants, lion, tiger,
zebra, giraffes, monkeys, snakes, leopards, birds, turtles etc.
Importance Of Wild-Life/Games Reserves
i. They provide meat used as food
ii. Games reserves are centers of tourism
iii. It provides employment to people
iv. Source of income to the government
v. Hides and skin from wildlife like zebra, giraffe and tiger are useful for domestic purposes
vi. Prevention of wildlife from extinction
vii. It promotes education and research works
(5) Fishery: Agricultural lands is also used for rearing fish and other aquatic
Animals. Fishes reared in fish ponds have become a major occupation for
raising income.
Fish farming has the following merits or importance
a) It serves as a source of food for many people
b) It provides a means of recycling wastes. E.g animal’s dung from farms are fed to fish.
c) Fish can be processed into fish by-products such as fish meal, fish oil and skin
d) It provides employment and income to many people
e) Unproductive land can be turned into useful land for fish rearing.
Sub-topic 3:
(B) NON-AGRICULTURAL LAND : The uses of land for non-agricultural purposes can be summed up in the following areas:
 Residential purpose (e,g housing)
 Transportation
 Mining
 Industrial purposes
 Sport centers e,g stadia, race course, golf course etc
 Education purpose e.g schools
 Markets
 Worship places e.g churches , mosques, shrines etc
 Carpentries
 Commercial purposes e,g banks, warehouses
 Cemetery
Factors Affecting Land availability and Uses
Many factor affect land availability and uses in Nigeria. Some of these are
• Ecological factor
• Population density/population growth
• Climatic conditions
• Topography or slope of land
• Socio-cultural factors
• Economic factors
• Land tenure system
• Religious Beliefs
• Cultivation Practices
• Government Policies
• Degree of degradation e.g pollution, erosion etc
EVALUATION:
1. Mention 6 other areas land can be used apart from agriculture.
2. Enumerate 8 factors that land availability and uses
OBJECTIVES:
1. Agricultural lands is also used for rearing fish and other (a) land animals (b)aquatic Animals. (c) mammals (d) ruminants (e) terrestrial animals
2. The uses of land for non-agricultural purposes include the following except (a)Residential purpose (e,g housing) (b)Transportation (c)Mining (d)Industrial purposes (e) Taungya farming
3. Which of the following does not include the Importance Of Wild-Life/Games Reserves ? (a)They provide meat used as food (b) Games reserves are centers of tourism (c) It provides employment to people (d) It encourages the development of a state (e)Source of income to the government
4. The production of livestock enables man to derive the following benefits:
(a)Provision of food (b)It provides feed for animals
(c) It provides employment (d) It enables policy making by the government
(e)It provides skin and hides for making leather materials
5. Which of the following is not a Game Reserve in Nigeria?
(a) Yankari Game Reserve in Bauchi state (b)Kainji National Park in Kogi state
(c) Zugurman Game Reserve in Niger state (d) Shasha River Forest Reserve
(d)Borgu Game Reserve in Kwara state
WEEKEND ASSIGNMENT: Read Agric Sc. For SS 1 By M.O.Adeniji pages 45-48
PRE-READING ASSIGNMENT: Read your note for the entire term.
WEEKEND ACTIVITIES: Using a tabular form list 5 resources from pants and 5 from animals and write the industries that make use of them
REFERENCE: Agric. Science. for SSS book 1 by M.O.Adeniji et-all
Essential Agricultural Science for SSS. by O. A. Iwena (TONAD Publisher Ltd)

[admin]

REVISION