Crop and Animal Farming, Agronomic Practices for SS 1

Class: SS 1
Term: Second Term
Week: 1
Age: 15 years
Duration: 60 minutes
Subject: Agricultural Science
Curriculum Theme: Agricultural Management
Focal competence: Making informed decision on farming type
Key competencies/values: Collaboration; ICT and Digital Competencies; Entrepreneurship
Skills:

• Identifying farm animals

Previous Lesson: Anatomy and Physiology
Topic: Crop And Animal Farming
Subject Matter: Meaning of crop and animal farming, Crop farming and agronomical practices

Specific Objectives

By the end of the lesson, pupils/students should be able to:

Cognitive Domain

• Define crop farming.
• Define animal farming.
• Explain the agronomical practices for maize.
• Describe the agronomical practices for groundnut.
• Outline the agronomical practices for cassava.
• Discuss the agronomical practices for selected vegetables.

Affective Domain

• Appreciate the importance of collaboration in farming activities.
• Value the role of ICT and digital tools in modern agriculture.
• Develop an entrepreneurial mindset towards farming.

Psychomotor Domain

• Identify common farm animals.
• Demonstrate understanding of basic agronomical steps through discussion.

Reference Materials

The following resources were used in planning this lesson:

• 2025 New Revised Senior Secondary Education Curriculum (SSEC)
• Relevant State Unified Scheme of Work
• Agricultural Science for Senior Secondary Schools, Book 1
• The HeadTeacher Scheme of work For The New Revised Senior Secondary Education Curriculum (SSEC)

Instructional Materials

The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:

• School farm (if available)
• Video clips on agronomical practices of selected crops
• Charts showing different crops and farm animals
• Pictures of various farm operations

Rationale for the Lesson

This lesson introduces students to the fundamental concepts of crop and animal farming, which are essential components of agricultural science. Understanding these basics provides a foundation for further study in agriculture and equips students with knowledge applicable to food production and rural development. It also helps students appreciate the practical steps involved in cultivating food crops and raising livestock.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Pupils/students should have a basic understanding of what agriculture is and some common plants and animals found in their environment from their Junior Secondary education.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

Crop And Animal Farming

Meaning of Crop Farming

Crop farming, also known as crop production or arable farming, is the agricultural practice of cultivating and harvesting plants for food, fibre, oil, medicine, or other human uses. It involves a series of systematic activities from land preparation to harvesting and storage.

Examples of crops include:

1. Cereals (e.g., maize, rice, millet, sorghum)
2. Legumes (e.g., groundnut, cowpea, soybean)
3. Root and Tuber crops (e.g., cassava, yam, sweet potato)
4. Vegetables (e.g., fluted pumpkin, amaranth, tomato, pepper)
5. Fruits (e.g., orange, mango, banana)

Meaning of Animal Farming

Animal farming, also known as livestock farming or animal husbandry, is the agricultural practice of raising and breeding domestic animals for products such as meat, milk, eggs, wool, hides, and for labour. It involves caring for animals, providing them with food, shelter, and health management.

Examples of farm animals include:

1. Cattle (for meat and milk)
2. Goats (for meat and milk)
3. Sheep (for meat and wool)
4. Poultry (e.g., chickens, ducks, turkeys for meat and eggs)
5. Pigs (for meat)
6. Fish (aquaculture)

Agronomical Practices in Crop Farming

Agronomical practices are the methods and techniques used in crop production to ensure optimal growth, yield, and quality of crops. These practices vary depending on the crop type, soil conditions, and environmental factors.

Agronomical Practices for Maize

Maize (corn) is a staple cereal crop in Nigeria. Key practices include:

1. Land Preparation: This involves clearing the land of weeds and debris, ploughing to loosen the soil, and harrowing to break down soil clods and level the field.
2. Planting: Maize is typically planted at the onset of the rainy season. Seeds are sown directly into the soil at a spacing of about 75 cm x 25 cm, with 1-2 seeds per hole, at a depth of 3-5 cm.
3. Fertilizer Application: Basal application of NPK fertilizer (e.g., NPK 15:15:15) is done at planting or shortly after. Top-dressing with urea or other nitrogenous fertilizers is done 3-4 weeks after planting.
4. Weeding: Weeds compete with maize for nutrients, water, and sunlight. Manual weeding, mechanical weeding, or herbicide application is crucial, especially during the first 6-8 weeks.
5. Pest and Disease Control: Common pests include stem borers, armyworms, and grasshoppers. Diseases like maize streak virus and rust can be controlled through resistant varieties, crop rotation, and appropriate chemical sprays.
6. Harvesting: Maize is harvested when the cobs are dry, and the kernels are hard, typically 90-120 days after planting, depending on the variety.

Agronomical Practices for Groundnut

Groundnut (peanut) is an important legume grown for its edible oil and protein-rich seeds.

1. Land Preparation: Similar to maize, land is cleared, ploughed, and harrowed. Well-drained, sandy-loam soils are preferred.
2. Planting: Groundnuts are planted at the beginning of the rainy season. Seeds are sown at a spacing of 60 cm x 20 cm, 1-2 seeds per hole, at a depth of 3-5 cm.
3. Fertilizer Application: Groundnuts are legumes and fix nitrogen, so they require less nitrogen fertilizer. Phosphorus and potassium fertilizers (e.g., NPK 15:15:15) are applied at planting. Calcium is also important for pod development.
4. Weeding: Critical during the first 4-6 weeks. Manual weeding is common, but herbicides can also be used.
5. Pest and Disease Control: Pests include aphids, leaf miners, and termites. Diseases like early and late leaf spot, and rust can be managed with resistant varieties and fungicides.
6. Harvesting: Groundnuts are harvested when the leaves turn yellow and start shedding, usually 90-120 days after planting. The plants are dug up, and pods are separated and dried.

Agronomical Practices for Cassava

Cassava is a major root crop, highly tolerant to drought and poor soils.

1. Land Preparation: Land is cleared, ploughed, and ridged or mounded, especially in areas prone to waterlogging.
2. Planting: Cassava is propagated from stem cuttings (stakes) about 20-30 cm long. Cuttings are planted vertically, at an angle, or horizontally, with about two-thirds buried in the soil. Spacing is typically 1 m x 1 m.
3. Fertilizer Application: NPK fertilizer (e.g., NPK 15:15:15) is applied 2-3 months after planting. Cassava responds well to potassium.
4. Weeding: Crucial during the first 3-4 months to prevent weed competition. Manual weeding is common.
5. Pest and Disease Control: Major pests include cassava mealybug and green mite. Diseases like cassava mosaic disease (CMD) and cassava bacterial blight (CBB) are managed by using resistant varieties and disease-free planting material.
6. Harvesting: Cassava can be harvested from 8-12 months after planting, depending on the variety and desired root size. Roots are manually dug up.

Agronomical Practices for Selected Vegetables (e.g., Fluted Pumpkin, Amaranth)

Vegetables are important for nutrition and income. Practices vary but share common principles.

1. Land Preparation: Prepare raised beds or nursery beds with well-drained, fertile soil. Incorporate organic matter.
2. Planting:
   1. Fluted Pumpkin (Ugu): Seeds are planted directly, usually 2-3 seeds per hole, at a spacing of 1 m x 1 m, at a depth of 3-5 cm.
   2. Amaranth (Green): Seeds are small and can be broadcast or planted in drills. Seedlings are later thinned to appropriate spacing (e.g., 20 cm x 20 cm).
3. Watering: Vegetables require consistent moisture. Water regularly, especially during dry periods, preferably in the morning or late afternoon.
4. Fertilizer Application: Apply well-rotted manure or compost before planting. Top-dress with nitrogen-rich fertilizer (e.g., urea) after establishment to promote leafy growth.
5. Weeding: Regular weeding is essential as vegetables are poor competitors with weeds. Hand weeding is often preferred to avoid damaging shallow roots.
6. Pest and Disease Control: Common pests include aphids, leaf miners, and grasshoppers. Diseases like damping-off and leaf spots can be managed by good sanitation, crop rotation, and appropriate organic or chemical sprays if necessary.
7. Harvesting:
   1. Fluted Pumpkin: Leaves and shoots are harvested by cutting, usually starting 4-6 weeks after planting, and can be harvested repeatedly.
   2. Amaranth: Leaves and tender stems are harvested by cutting or uprooting, typically 3-4 weeks after planting, and can also be harvested repeatedly.

Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques

Discussion, Demonstration, Guided Practice, Question and Answer, Explanation, Observation, Group Work, Video Presentation

Instructional Procedures

Step 1: Introduction

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Questioning/Recall

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the students and asks them to recall what they understand by “agriculture” and name some common crops and animals they know. The teacher then introduces the topic: Crop and Animal Farming.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond to the questions and listen attentively to the introduction of the new topic.

Learning Point: Agriculture and common farm products

Step 2: Meaning of Crop and Animal Farming

Time: 10 minutes

Teaching Skill: Group Discussion/Explanation

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher divides students into small groups and guides them to discuss the meaning of crop and animal farming based on their prior knowledge and the introduction. The teacher then facilitates a class discussion to consolidate the definitions, providing clear explanations and examples.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils discuss in groups and contribute to the class discussion, defining crop and animal farming.

Learning Point: Definitions of farming types

Step 3: Introduction to Agronomical Practices

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Explanation/Concept Building

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains what agronomical practices are, emphasising that these are the specific steps taken to grow crops successfully. The teacher highlights that these practices vary for different crops.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen and ask questions for clarification on the concept of agronomical practices.

Learning Point: Meaning of agronomical practices

Step 4: Agronomical Practices for Maize

Time: 10 minutes

Teaching Skill: Video Presentation/Explanation

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher shows a video clip demonstrating the agronomical practices for maize. After the video, the teacher explains each practice (land preparation, planting, fertilizer, weeding, pest/disease control, harvesting) in detail, relating it to the video and local context.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils watch the video clip and listen to the teacher’s explanation, taking note of the practices for maize.

Learning Point: Maize farming practices

Step 5: Agronomical Practices for Groundnut

Time: 8 minutes

Teaching Skill: Explanation/Guided Discussion

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains the agronomical practices for groundnut, highlighting similarities and differences compared to maize, especially regarding nitrogen fixation. The teacher encourages students to ask questions.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen, compare practices, and ask questions about groundnut cultivation.

Learning Point: Groundnut farming practices

Step 6: Agronomical Practices for Cassava and Vegetables

Time: 7 minutes

Teaching Skill: Explanation/Visual Aid

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains the agronomical practices for cassava (using stem cuttings) and selected vegetables (e.g., fluted pumpkin, amaranth), using charts or pictures to illustrate key stages. The teacher emphasises the importance of consistent watering for vegetables.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe the visual aids and listen to the explanations for cassava and vegetable farming.

Learning Point: Cassava and vegetable practices

Step 7: Evaluation/Review

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Questioning/Assessment

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher evaluates the learning by asking the following questions:

1. What is crop farming?
2. Mention two agronomical practices for maize.
3. How is cassava propagated?
4. Name two common farm animals.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils answer orally and in writing.

Learning Point: Understanding farming concepts

Step 8: Note-Taking

Time: 10 minutes

Teaching Skill: Guided Writing

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher guides pupils/students to copy the essential Board Summary notes on the meaning of crop and animal farming and the agronomical practices of selected crops into their notebooks.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils/students copy the notes carefully into their notebooks.

Learning Point: Recording lesson notes

Step 9: Conclusion

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Summarization/Reinforcement

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher briefly summarises the main points of the lesson, reiterating the definitions of crop and animal farming and the importance of proper agronomical practices for successful crop production. The teacher encourages students to observe farming activities in their communities.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen to the summary and reflect on the lesson.

Learning Point: Farming concepts consolidated

Continuous Assessment/Further Study

Type: Homework

Instruction: Answer the following questions in your notebook:

1. Differentiate between crop farming and animal farming, giving two examples for each.
2. List and briefly explain any three agronomical practices you would carry out if you were to cultivate groundnut.
3. Research and write down the agronomical practices for one other crop not discussed in class (e.g., yam or rice).

Lesson Keywords

• Crop Farming – Cultivation of plants for various uses.
• Animal Farming – Raising and breeding animals for products and labour.
• Agronomical Practices – Methods used to grow crops efficiently.
• Maize – A cereal crop.
• Groundnut – A legume crop.
• Cassava – A root and tuber crop.
• Vegetables – Edible plant parts, often leafy or fruity.
• Land Preparation – Activities to get land ready for planting.
• Planting – Sowing seeds or cuttings.
• Weeding – Removing unwanted plants.
• Harvesting – Gathering mature crops.

Differentiation

For learners needing support: The teacher can provide simplified definitions and focus on identifying common crops and animals. Use more visual aids and allow them to work in pairs during group discussions. Provide a checklist for agronomical practices to guide their understanding.

For learners needing enrichment: Encourage them to research the economic importance of each crop discussed in Nigeria. They can also investigate modern farming techniques or the impact of climate change on specific agronomical practices.

Suggested Lesson Videos

For further understanding of crop and animal farming and agronomical practices, students can search on YouTube for:

• “Crop and Animal Farming SS1 Agricultural Science”
• “Agronomical practices for maize groundnut cassava Nigeria”
• “Basic farming practices for vegetables in Nigeria”