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
WEEK 1 DATE ………………………………
INTRODUCTION TO AGRICULTURE: MEANING, BRANCHES AND IMPORTANCE OF
AGRICULTURE
CONTENT
- Meaning of Agriculture
- Branches of Agriculture
- Importance of Agriculture
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
of agricultural information to farmers, and also link farmers to researchers.
8. Forestry and Wildlife Conservation: It promotes the conservation of forest products,
wildlife and also creation of micro climate.
9. Fishery: It promotes the production of fish, its management, processing and other fishing
Practices.
10. Apiculture/Bee Farming: It promotes the production of honey for local consumption/uses.
11. Heliculture/Snailry: It involves the production of snails for consumption as a source
of protein and minerals.
EVALUATION QUESTIONS
1. Define these aspects of crop science:
(a) Agronomy (b) Crop Pathology (c) Enthomology
2. State three functions of: (a) Veterinary Medicine (b) Agricultural Extension
3. What are agro-based industries?
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 provides…
