FIRST TERM: E-LEARNING NOTES

SS 1 (BASIC 10)

SUBJECT: PRE-VOCATIONAL STUDIES (AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE)

First term Scheme of work CLASS: SS ONE

Topics
Week
1 a. Meaning and Importance of Agriculture: (a) Definition and branches
of Agricultural science (b) Importance of Agricultural science to
individual, community and nation.
b. 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.

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 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.

4 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. Role of science and Technology in Agricultural
development

5 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.

6 Agro-Allied industries and Relationship between Agriculture and

Industry: (a) Agro –based Industries and raw materials (i) Paper industry-
 pulpwood (ii) Beverage industry-cocoa, tea, etc. (iii) Soap industry-oil
seeds, etc. (b)Relationship between agriculture and industries: agriculture
provides market for industrial products e.g. farm machinery, chemicals.

7 Mid-term break

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 Factors affecting land availability for Agricultural purposes:(a) Factors

affecting land availability for agricultural purposes (i)Land tenure system
(ii)Population pressure(iii)Soil type and topography etc.

10 Revision
11-12 Examination

WEEK 1
TOPICS: Meaning and Importance of Agriculture
CONTENTS____ I. Definition
ii. Meaning
iii. Importance

Sub-topic 1:

Meaning Of Agriculture:
Agricultural science is a subject that deals with the planting of crops, rearing of animals as well
as the provision of raw materials for industries.
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 is 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 Agriculture is the art and science (management) that deals with the cultivation of
crops and the rearing of animals for man’s use.
Agriculture is defined as the production of crops and the rearing of animals for man’s use. It
involves the tilling of soils, cultivation of crops, rearing of animals for numerous purposes as
well as for food.
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)
- Olericulture (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: this addresses the study of soil appearance, composition and nature of soil. 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), and
Entomology (the study of insect pests).

5. Horticulture: deals with flowers, vegetables and fruits. Horticulture is divided into three:
Pomology (the study of fruits), Olericulture (the study of vegetables), and 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 in a body of water e.g. fish,
crabs, crayfish, shrimps, etc. A specialist in this area is called a fishery officer.

7. Forestry: this is the area of agriculture that deals with the efficient management and
utilization forest trees and forest products. A specialist in this area is called a forest officer or
forest guard.
8. Agricultural economics: agricultural economics is concerned with planning, management,
marketing and other economics activities involved in production chain. 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: this is the mechanized aspect of agriculture that involves the
operation of modern machineries and repairs of machines e.g tractors and harrow. A specialist
in this area known as agricultural engineer.

11. Veterinary medicine: this aspect of agriculture studies the health, diagnosis, maintenance
and treatment of diseases of animals. A specialist in this area is called a veterinarian
(Veterinary doctor).

12. Wildlife Conservation: it is the setting aside of area of land area for the maintenance of wild
animals. This area is called game reserve

13. Agricultural Extension / Extension: this deal with the transfer of knowledge and
information from the research station to the farmers and vice-versa. A specialist in this area is
called Extensionist

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.

IMPORTANCE OF AGRICULTURE TO THE COMMUNITY /SOCIETY

Rural development: Agriculture enables social amenities such as pipe borne water, electricity,
hospitals, schools etc. to be put in place in the rural areas. Motorable 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

Provision of raw materials. It provides materials needed for shelter eg. Building of houses and
furniture are supplied through farming activities.

Others includes: generate employment opportunity for members of the community, provides
income for members of the community, helps in improving the standard of living of the
community etc.

Evaluation: state 4 importance of agriculture to

a. The individuals
b. The society

IMPORTANCE OF AGRICULTURE TO THE NATION

Provision of raw materials f or 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’’etc.

TOPIC: SUBSISTENCE AND COMMERCIAL AGRICULTURE

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 • Produces purposely for sale to make
consumption profit
• Small land is required. • Large area of land is required.
• Simple farm tools e.g. cutlass, hoe, • Modern farm machinery e.g.
axe, spade, rake, watering can Bulldozer, tractors, planters,
etc. .are used combined harvesters, air craft etc.
are used
• Mixed cropping system is practiced • Mono-cropping system is practiced
which does not encourage which encourages mechanization
mechanization
• Family labour is used • Hired and skilled workers are used
Small capital is involved • Large capital is involved
• It is own by peasant farmers • Own by Governments or Limited
Companies.
• Fertilizers, chemicals e.g. • Herbicides, Pesticides and many
herbicides, pesticides are not often other chemicals are used.
used.
• Yields or returns are low • Yield or returns are high
 • It does require any special • It requires special marketing
marketing strategy strategy
• Pest and diseases are not
controlled • Pests and diseases are controlled
• No formal education is required • Formal education /special skills are
required
• No need for storage and processing • Processing and storage facilities are
facilities required
• Low environmental pollution • High environmental pollution
• Agrochemicals are not majorly used • 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 specialization
7. Pests and diseases are not controlled
8. 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. Agriculture is concerned with both
(a) Man and animals (b) plants and animals (c) industries and plant (d) plants and crops

2. The term agriculture is derived from two Latin words ___________and _________
(a) ager and culture (b) cultivar and culture (c) cultivation and ager (d) ager and cultural

3. One of the following is the most important of agriculture. Provision of ________

(a) Food (b) Shelter (c) employment (d) raw materials for industries

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

5. Which of the following is not a problem of Commercial agriculture

(a) It is very expensive (b) Problems of storage(c) Displacement of workers (d) low yield

6. Commercial agriculture involves the production of __________ crops and animals in

large quantity (a) arable (b) commercial (c) cash (d) food

7. 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.

8. Inadequate capital for investment is a problem of

(a) commercial farmers (b) agriculturist (c) subsistence farmers (d) ministry of agaric

9. Food shortage or food scarcity is a major problem facing

(a) developing countries (b) developed countries
(c) underdeveloped and developed countries (d) European countries

10. Which of these is not a characteristics of commercial agriculture?

(a)Fertilizers, herbicides and other chemicals are used (b) Large capital is involved
(c) Modern farm, implements are used. (d) No specialization on any particular crop.
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
3. List 4 characteristics of (a) subsistence agriculture (b) commercial agriculture
4. In a tabular form state 7 differences between subsistence and commercial agriculture.
WEEKEND ASSIGN: Read about the importance of agriculture and the problems of

WEEK: 2
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 cannot 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.
UNPREDICTABLE 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) implementation of government policies on agriculture
(b) adequate storage and processing facilities (c) agricultural education and extension

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

6. One of the following is not the problem of agricultural development in West Africa
(a) Inadequate Farm Inputs (b) Problems of Transportation (c) sunlight (d) Inadequate Basic
Amenities

7. Inadequate capital for investment is a problem of

(a) commercial farmers (b) agriculturist (c) subsistence farmers (d) ministry of agaric

8. Subsistence farming can be appropriately described as planting of crops and rearing of

livestock
(a) for the benefit of the whole country (b) as export for earning foreign exchange
(c) for the benefit of the community only (d) for the benefit of the farmer and his family

9. In encouraging farmers to produce more of a particular crop, the Nigerian government has
helped farmers in marketing that crop through the establishment of
(a) rural schools of agriculture (b) markets for the sale of crops
(c) marketing boards (d) rural extension offices

10. One of the following is a problem of agricultural development in West Africa

(a) Inadequate Farm Inputs (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
Differentiate between subsistence and commercial agriculture. Give seven points
Week 3:
Topic: ROLES OF GOVERNMENT IN AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION
In the past agriculture used to be the main stay of Nigeria economy but when petroleum was discovered
agriculture was neglected, food production became relatively low and a lot of money 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 is broadly given as these two major roles:
1. To set up good and functioning policies
2. To formulate good and functioning programmes
1. To set up good and functioning policies. A policies is a set of rules set up by the ministry
/ government towards achieving a goal. polices sometimes changes as government
changes, but the basic objectives of a good policy may include the following:
(i).To provide both qualitative and quantitative food
(ii).To produce animals and plants that are rich in protein and at a minimum cost for
both rich and poor in the society.
(iii).To increase the supply of animals and plants that can attain market weight in the
shortest possible time
(iv). To develop local agro-based industries that will employ the citizen as well as
provide finished products.
(v).To increase the supply of local raw materials like timber, cotton, groundnut, gum
Arabic etc.
(vi) .To produce plants and animals for export purpose.
(vii).To regulate the influx of foreign agricultural products so as not kill agro-based
industries in the country.
(viii).Mechanizing farming for increased output and income for farmers.

2. To formulate good and functioning programme.

Agricultural programmes are drawn by the government or its agencies at the
ministry of agriculture. Some of the programmes are:

i. 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 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.

ii. 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.
iii. 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 institutions such as colleges of education, polytechnics and universities have
departments that trains students and make researches.

OTHER AGRICULTURAL PROGRAMMES INCLUDES:

(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:
o To provide fund for financing agricultural projects
o 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.
(e) To make farming activities friendly and attractive.
(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 members.
(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 members.
(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.
(a) Examples 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.
This 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
(f) Agricultural research are the centre for the development of new farming technologies or practice.
 (g) To develop improved variety of a large number of crops such as palm trees, coconut, rubber,
cocoa, maize, cassava etc.
(h) To develop better methods of controlling pest and disease of some cops and animals.
(i) To develop effective local methods of storing farming produce.
(j) 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
borne 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 parts 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 wasted 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’ programmes that are involved in the improvement of agricultural production
in West Africa.
2. State five ways in which government contribute to agricultural productivity in West Africa.
3. Mention five agricultural five agricultural research institutes in Nigeria
4. List ten agricultural programmes established by the government to develop agriculture in Nigeria
5. Enumerate five roles of government in agricultural production
6. State four objectives of each of
(j) Farm settlement scheme
(ii) National Agricultural Insurance Scheme
(iii) Directorate of food, roads and rural infrastructure

OBJECTIVE QUESTIONS
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
 (d) To check the land tenure system
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
6. One of the following is not the aims and objectives of agricultural research
(a) Development of new farming technologies or practice.
(b) To develop improved variety of a large number of crops
(c)To develop better methods of controlling pest and disease.
(d)To provide good road for the famer.
7. Which of the following is not a research institutes own by government.
(a) Cocoa research institute of Nigeria (CRIN) Ibadan.
(b)Nigeria institute for oil palm research (NIFOR) Benin.
(c)Rubber research institute of Nigeria (RRIN).
(d)Kanji dam research institute Lokoja
8. One of the following is not the major role of co-operative farming.
(a)The organisations makes provision for employment (labour)
(b)They provide farm inputs for members.
(c)They provide processing facilities for their members.
(d)They make provision of good road for members.
9. ________ was set up by General Olusegun Obasanjo Military administration between 1976 and 1979.
(a) Operation feed the nation
(b)Green revolution
(c)Agricultural development project (ADP)
(d)Fertilizer production scheme
10. The green revolution was also set up between 1979 and 1983 by the federal government.
(a)To encourage large scale farming
(b) To establish big market
(c)To provide good road
(d)To provide money for the farmer.

WEEK 4
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. These are organisation
formed by individuals or group of individuals in which the daily running of the organization’s
affair is provided by them without government intervention. They support government project
with their wealth and health. People found in this kind of organization have in their heart the
true love of the nation and the upliftment of the less privilege citizens in order to make the
environment free and safe to live. 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 in improving crops and livestock breeds
v. They are 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 involved in agricultural development perform the following roles.

1. They assist in rural development by providing social amenities like roads, water supply
health canters 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 monetary cash through one of the following
means. (a) extension services (b)loans (c) supply of inputs (d) acquisition of land

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

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

4. International Livestock Centre for Africa is abbreviated as

(a) ICAA (b) ILCA (c) ICLA (d) IICA

5. One of following is not an NGO involved in agricultural development.

(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 NGOs in agricultural production
3. State five characteristic of NGOS

WEEK 5:
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
f. Leasehold land tenure system

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 allocated 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 male or female through inheritance, purchase, free gifts, lease, tenancy or
even pledge
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
6. It often leads to land improvement
7. Land may be fragmented among children of free-holder
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.
4. It can deny later generations access to land for practicing agriculture.
5. Abuse by land speculators is possible

LAND TENURE BY INHERITANCE

This is 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 can be 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 , sales 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 price 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/ in appreciation for something done. 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 institutions.
DISADVANTAGES
1. Land given out that is not backed up by proper documentation can be retrieved by the
giver
2. The true ownership can be challenged and revoked by a court 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.it is an agreement between a tenant and a landlord
ADVANTAGES

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 is 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 widely used for production purposes
DISADVANTAGES
 1. There is too much regulations and control on the land.
2. The land can be revoked if the tenants fail to meet two to three instalments.
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 5000 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 price and selling it at a
very high price 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 land ownership
iii. People can acquire land outside their tribe or state. That is anywhere 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 cannot 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 instalments.
(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 labour 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 survey

6. A piece of land is said to be on lease to a farmer when the land is

(a) inherited from the father (b) given to him as a gift
(c) Given as compensation (d) given for a specified period on rental basis

2
7. The problems associated with land tenure through inheritance include the following except
(a) Small land holdings for family members
(b) hatred among family members arising from land sharing
(c) right of individuals to free use and control of inherited land
(d) individuals being restricted to their plots

8. ________ is the decree that removed ownership from the traditional land owners and
placed it in the hands of government.
 (a) Land tenure decree (b) Land use decree
(c) Land Use ownership (d) Land lease decree

9. ________ is a system whereby a tenant pays some amount for a period of using the land to
a stated landlord.
(a) Land tenure system (b) Land use decree
(c) Rent tenure system (d) Land lease decree

10. A system whereby a piece of land can be acquired at the death of a parent is called ______
(a) Land tenure by inheritance (b) Land tenure by purchase or freehold
(c) Tenant at the will of government (d) Land tenure by purchase or freehold

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.

Role of science and Technology in Agricultural development

Implements and Machinery:

Science and technology has aided the development of implements and machinery like tractors,
planters, ridgers, plough, etc which have replaced the old tools such as cutlass, hoe and shovel.

Pests and Disease Control:

Through the aid of science and technology, chemicals like insecticides, fungicides,
fumigants and nematicides have been developed to combat the problems caused by pests and
other agents that cause diseases such as viruses and bacteria.

Animal and Plant Breeding:

Various breeds of animals and varieties of plants have been developed through the application
of genetics and breeding.

Animal Nutrition:

Animal nutrition has also been developed. Feeds are now formulated to meet the nutritional
demand of animals.

Transport Network:

The transport network has also been developed through the construction of roads, railways,
ships, waterways and airways, which aid the movement of food from rural areas to urban
centers and For other speedy delivery purposes.
Processing Machines:

Science and technology has also helped to develop special machines like incubators, milking
machines, grinders and millers which make the processing of food easy and
possible within a short possible time. Etc.

WEEK 6
TOPIC: AGRO-ALLIED INDUSTRIES AND RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN AGRICULTURE AND INDUSTRY
CONTENT: i. Meaning of Agro-based industry.
ii. Agro-based industries and their raw materials.
Iii .Relationship between Agriculture and industry

Sub topic 1: Meaning of agro-allied industry

Agro-allied industries are industries that make use of agricultural produce or products as raw material to
produce other finished products. It also refers to the produce that the farmers use as an input in the
farm. The continuous existence of these industries is made possible through the raw material derived
from agriculture. These industries help;
1. To provide market for agricultural products
2. Provide employment opportunities ,
3. Generate income for the government and
4. Influence or enhance development of rural areas.

Sub topic 2: Agro allied industries and their raw materials:

The following industries make use of agricultural produce or products as raw materials:

Agro-based industries and their raw materials

Agro-based industries Raw materials used
Textile/Ginnery Cotton, wool, fur
Oil Mill Oil( from oil seeds)
Beverage industry Cocoa ,coffee ,tea
Paper mill/industry Pulp wood
Cigarette/tobacco industry Tobacco leaves
Soap industry Palm oil (from oil seeds)
Fruit canning industry (Orange, apple, pineapple, strawberry)
Tyre and tube industry Latex(from rubber tree)
Sugar industry Sugarcane
Livestock feed mill Grains (maize, groundnut, soybeans, etc.)
Plastic industries Latex (from rubber tree)
Confectioneries Cocoa ,butter etc.
Flourmills Maize, wheat etc.
Pharmaceutical industries Neem, Eucalyptus, cotton, insulin from pigs
Foam industry Latex (from rubber tree)
Breweries Maize, wheat, rice, millet, guinea-corn etc.
Leather industry or tannery Hide and skin
Plywood industry Timber wood
Meat/Fish canning industry Meat and fish
Perfume industry Oil (from oil seeds)
Sack, Rope, Mat, and Bag industries Jute, sisal, kenaf, kapok
Milk industry Raw milk from cattle
Sawmill Timber(logs)

Some of the industries that produce farm inputs are:

1. Fertilizer industry, e.g. NAFCON
2. Agro-chemical industries
3. Machine/tools industries
 4. Vaccine industries
5. Drug making (pharmaceutical industries)
6. Fabrication workshops

SUB TOPIC 3: RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN AGRICULTURE AND INDUSTRIES

Agriculture and industry have a strong relationship and these include the following:
1. Agriculture is the major source of raw materials for agro-based industries, while agro-based
industries provide ready market for agricultural products such as cocoa, cotton, latex, hides and skin,
palm produce etc.
2. Agriculture provides market for industries such as agro-chemicals, vaccines, drugs, fertilizers and farm
machinery, industries on the other hand, supply agriculture inputs.
3. Through agricultural development we can be able to shift from factors of production such as land,
capital, and labour to industries.
4. Industries create employment opportunities for the farmer’s children while the farming community
also supplies labour to the industries.
5. Agro-based industries help to provide processing/storage facilities for agricultural sector to prevent
wastage such as silos, grinders, and shellers.
6. Agriculture provides food for industrial workers while industries provide agro-chemicals such
pesticides, vaccines, herbicides, fertilizers for agricultural use.
7. Development of agriculture is facilitated by the presence of raw materials in an area .this transforms
rural communities in terms of social amenities.
8. Due to industrial development agriculture is now made easy through fabrication of energy-saving
tools and machinery provided by industries. Such tools and machinery include cutlasses, hoes,
ploughs, tractors etc.
9. Labour is competed for by both agriculture and industries.
10. Industrial development leads to rural development and enhances agricultural development.

Evaluation:
1. Mention 10 industries that make use of agricultural produce as their raw materials.
2. List 10 agro-based industries and their raw materials.
3. Define agro-based industry.
4. List ten industries that use agricultural produce as their raw materials to produce finished products.
5. State 5 relationships between agriculture and industries in terms of agricultural raw materials.
6. Mention ten (10) agro-allied industries in Nigeria.

Objectives test:
1. All the following make use of maize as raw material in their industries except
(a)flour mills (b)ginnery (c) feed mills (d)breweries

2. Which of the following agro-allied industries supply inputs to agriculture?

(a) sugar industry (b) fertilizer industry (c) beverage industry (d) confectioneries.

3. Jute, Sisal, Kenaf and Kapok are used for making __________
(a) soap (b) sack (c) paper (d) foam

4. Agricultural material used in a tyre and tube industry is __________

(a) Latex (b) hides and skins (c) tobacco leaves (d) timber wood.

5. Which of the following is not an agro-based industry?

(a) mining industry (b) ginnery (c) feed mill (d) perfume industry.

6. Which of the following crops is not correctly grouped with its industrial product
(a) cocoa-chocolate (b) rubber-boots (c) coconut-oil (d) orange-magarine.

7. Which of the following is the most suitable raw material used in the production of pulp in
paper industry.
 (a) hardwood (b) softwood (c) sapwood (d) plywood

8. The farm animal whose skin or hide cannot be used for leather production is _________
(a) goat (b) chicken (c) pig (d) cattle

9. A major raw material of the paper industry is __________

(a) pulp (b) gum (c) latex (d) dye.

10. In a tannery, the raw materials for the manufacture of leather are__________
(a) hides and skin (b) hides and hair (c) skin and fur (d) hair and fur.

WEEK 8

CLASS: SSI

TOPIC: LAND AND ITS 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. It can
also be defined as: the uppermost layer of the earth crust on which agricultural and non-
agricultural activities are carried out.
Characteristics of land.

a. Land is a free gift of nature

b. it is immobile
c. limited in supply
d. It is a factor of agricultural production.
e. Land can appreciate and depreciate over time
f. It is heterogeneous in quality. i.e. it differs in one place to the another in area of the
topography, texture, structure, fertility etc.
g. The reward for land is rent.

Classification of land based on use: Land can be classified based on the uses they are put
into. Thus we have:
(A) AGRICULTURAL LAND.- These includes land for
 Crop production,
 Livestock production, and
 Fisheries.
 Forestry
 Wildlife conservation

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. land used for these
activities is usually fertile
Importance or merits of production 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 and grazing for various types of livestock
like cattle, goats, sheep, and 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 trees 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 Reserve 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 animals production are used
for wildlife conservation.
Game Reserves are places where wild animals are conserved to avoid extinction while they are
carefully and wisely exploited.
Examples of Game Reserve in Nigeria.
 Yankari Game Reserve in Bauchi state
 Kainji National Park in Niger state
 Zugurman Game Reserve in Niger state
 Borgu Game Reserve in Niger 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 centres 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 centres 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 (e) terrestrial animals

2. The uses of land for non-agricultural purposes include the following except
(a)Residential purpose (b)Transportation (c)Mining (d) 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 centres of tourism
(c) It provides employment to people (d) 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

6. ____________ is defined as a large area of land covered with trees and bushes
(a) forest (b) savannah (c) deforestation (d) forestry

7. The system of combining crop production with forest tree production is referred to as
(a) Mixed farming (b) taungya farming (c) mono cropping (d) bush fallowing

8. When a farmer plants only one type of crops and harvests it before planting another
on the same plot of land, he is practicing
(a) Ley cropping (b) crop rotation (c) Mixed cropping (d) mono cropping

9. Cocoa, groundnut, cotton, coffee and kola-nut are classified as___________

(a) Forage crops (b) cash crops (c) permanent crops (d) tree crops

10. Which of the following is not an importance of forest.

(a) Provision of food (b) Provision of good road
(c) Provision of employment (d)Prevention of soil erosion

WEEKEND ACTIVITIES: Using a tabular form list 5 resources from plants and 5 from animals and
write the industries that make use of them

Week 9:

SUBJECT: AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE

CLASS: SSI
TOPIC: FACTORS AFFECTING LAND AVAILABILITY FOR AGRICULTURAL PURPOSES

CONTENT: FACTORS AFFECTING LAND AVAILABILITY

Land availability is affected by so many factors, which include:

1. Land tenure system: land tenure is the system of land ownership including the rights and obligations
governing its acquisition and disposal. The prevailing system of land ownership in Nigeria does not
encourage prospective farmers to acquire large hectares of land because
the actual owners feel that their young ones are being robbed of their inheritance. In Nigeria, land is
mostly acquired through inheritance and shared among the beneficiaries, due to fragmentation of land
it becomes difficult to carryout large scale farming.
Similarly communal land tenure does not make land available for agriculture too. Land is jointly owned
by community. At times, government holds such land in trust for the community and later releases such
land for building industrial layout, thus making lands unavailable for agricultural activities.

2. POPULATION PRESSURE: In a country where the population is sparse, land availability to the farmers
will be enough, but the reverse is the case where population is high. Social demands for land rise with
increase in the population growth. Social amenities like civic hall, religious houses, and markets and so
on demand heavily for land and reduces agricultural land.

3. THE SIZE OF USEFUL LAND IN A COUNTRY: The size of land ideal for agriculture will also affect its
usage .In deserts, mountainous areas and savannahs, the size of land for agriculture will be small.

4. CLIMATIC FACTORS: The prevailing climatic factors like rainfall, and sunlight affect land availability.
Climate renders the desert Polar Regions unsuitable for agriculture. Climate plays a major role in making
a land suitable for agricultural purposes. A land situated in an environment where the climate is very hot
will not be useful for farming because the temperature of the environment will not make the plant
survive. Also a land in an environment that is too cold is not good for agricultural purposes

5. SOIL FACTORS: This refers to the type of soil particles available in a place .A soil with equal proportion
of sand, silt, clay (i. e, loamy soil) will be best for agriculture, but sandy soil alone will not be ideal for
agriculture. A land that is mainly clay is difficult to till and heavy to work on. Such land is not suitable for
a wide varieties of crops.

6. CULTIVATION PRACTICES: The type of cultivation methods practised in a place will affect land
availability .Cultural methods like bush fallowing, shifting cultivation and deforestation are not good.

7. CULTURAL PRACTICES: These include bush burning, shifting cultivation, bush fallowing, deforestation
etc., do not make land available for agriculture-they rather waste land.

8. TOPOGRAPHY: This simply refers to the shape of the land. The best land is a plain or flat land because
it exposes all portions of the land to rain and sunlight at equal proportion.
Valleys and hills encourage erosion, which is not good for agriculture unless terraces are constructed on
them.
9. INFRASTRUCTURAL DEMANDS ON LAND: Where land is also being demanded for other factors like
road construction, buildings, recreational centres, etc. reduces land availability for agriculture.

10. GOVERNMENT POLICY: The land use decree of 1978 prevents individuals from owning land. The law
makes it mandatory that government owns the land. People wishing to obtain land must apply for it. In
most cases land is granted for housing and industrial purposes .instead of agricultural purposes.

11. RELIGIOUS BELIEFS: The type of religious beliefs practised in a country will affect land usage. There is
resistance in some parts of the country against growing grains for brewing industries. Some fertile land
good for arable crop are declared as evil forest in some parts of the country.

12. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION: pollution such as oil spillage may reduce the amount of available
land for farming. Oil spillage often renders the land in south-south part of Nigeria unsuitable for farming

GENERAL EVALUATION:

Essay questions:
1. List ten factors that influence the availability of land for agricultural purposes in your country?
2. Explain how the following factors affect land availability for agriculture in your locality:
(i) Land tenure systems (ii) topography (iii) government policy (iv) climatic factors (v) soil factors
Objectives;
1. Agro-based industries are those that
 (a) Use agricultural raw materials (b) produce agricultural chemicals.
(c)Employ the children of farmers. (d). produces agricultural exports.

2. Which of the following industries does not use agricultural raw material for its production?
(a) Cement factory (b) textile mills (c) plywood factory (d) soap factory

3. Which of the following cannot be classified as uses of land

(a) for food and cash crops (b) for raising livestock (c) for forest reserves (d) for auto mobile.

4. Which of the following crops produces latex in West Africa?

(a)Kola (b) oil-palm (c) rubber (d) coconut

5. West Africa leads other parts of the world in the production of

(a) cultivated fruits (b) Rubber (c) Coconut (d) cocoa

WEEK END ASSIGNMENT: Read from pages 48-50 of Evans Agricultural Science for Senior Secondary
Schools by M.O.Adeniji. And attempt all the revision questions .
PRE-READING ASSIGNMENT: Read on Agro-based industries and relationship between agriculture
industry. Pages 50-53 of Evans Agric Sc. B.k 1.
WEEK END ACTIVITY: Find out other factors that affect land availability for agriculture
apart from the ones mentioned in the E-learning notes and write down five (5) of them
REFERENCE TEXTS: 1. Evans Agricultural Science For Senior Secondary Schools 1by M.O.Adeniji.
2 . Comprehensive Agricultural Science For Senior Secondary Schools by OgievaErebor .

CLASSIFICATION OF CROPS BASED ON THEIR LIFE SPAN

Annual crops

These are crops, which complete their life cycle (length of life) within one year or in one growing
season. These crops grow into maturity, flower, produce seeds and eventually die within one year.
Examples are maize, rice, sorghum, soya-beans, guinea corn, cowpea, sweet potato, cotton, tomato,
yam, etc.

Biennial crops

These are crops, which take two years or two seasons to complete their life cycle. The vegetative parts
grow into maturity in the first year or season, while the second year is for reproduction (i.e the formation
of flowers, fruits and seeds) and then the plant dies. Examples are ginger, sugar beet, pineapple, cassava,
cocoyam, plantain, carrots, cabbage,etc

Perennial crops:
These are crops, which take more than two years to complete their life cycle.
Their lives cover several growing seasons. Perennial crops are also called
permanent crops. As you keep on maintaining them, they keep on producing from
year to year .Examples are oil palm, mango, pawpaw, cashew etc.

Ephemeral crops:

These are crops that complete their life cycle within a very short period of
time. They complete within one growing season. Examples are tomato, okra,
lettuce, Jew’s mallow (ewedu)
Week 10: Revision
Week 11-12: Examination