Lesson Note on Agricultural Science SS2 Third Term

 Third Term Scheme of Work for SS2 Agricultural Science

WEK 1 &2 COMMON WEEDS FOUND IN FARMLANDS

WEEK 3 &4 CROP IMPROVEMENT

WEEK 5 BASIC ECONOMIC PRINCIPLE

WEEK 6 FARM RECORDS

WEEK 7 FARM ACCOUNTS

WEEK 8 &9 ANIMAL NUTRITION

WEEK 10: ANIMAL NUTRITION (II)

SS2 Third Term Agricultural Science Lesson Note 

 Below are the 2022 Complete SS2 Thrid Term Agricultural Science Lesson Note

WEEK 1 & 2

TOPIC : Common weeds found in farm lands

Introduction

Weed is any plant that grows in a place where it is not expected to grow or plant which grows out of place. A weed is a plant considered undesirable in a particular situation, “a plant in the wrong place”. Weed is any plant that grows in a place where it is not expected to grow or a plant which grow out of place. Such a plant constitutes nuisance either to man, livestock or plants. 

Common Name: Spear grass

Botanical Name: Heteropogoncontorous

Family: Poaceae

Habitat: They grow on poor soil as well as soil with high acidity.

Description of Characteristics:

1. They are cool seasoned tufted perennial grasses
2. The foliage grows from 10 -20cm high.
3. Most species flowers in spring.    To learn more, Click here.

WEEK 3 & 4

TOPIC: Crop Improvement

Introduction

This is defined as the science that deals with the development of new crop varieties with superior quality and quantity. In other words, Crop improvement refers to the genetic alteration of plants to satisfy human needs. In prehistory, human forebears in various parts of the world brought into cultivation a few hundred species from the hundreds of thousands available. It also refers to the ways of developing and breeding crop varieties which are better than the existing varieties in a number of characters. 

Aims of Crop Improvement

The plant breeders involved in improving our crops usually have certain aims in mind when doing their work. The aims are

1. To increase crop yield 
2. To increase the quality of farm produce – by improving taste, colour, size, nutritive value and fibre content of the crops
3. To adapt to climatic conditions – to produce crops that can withstand draught, adverse weather conditions and by adjusting the growth cycle
4. To improve the nutritional value of the produce – e.g high protein, mineral and vitamin levels in crops
5. To breed crops with early maturity – this can allow for the production of that crop many times a year. To learn more, Click here.

WEEK  5

TOPIC : Basic Economic Principle

Introduction

Economic Principles – The basic concept of economics are wants, scarcity, scale of preference, choice and opportunity cost.

Definitions

Want – Want can be defined as an unsatiable desire or need by human beings to own goods or services that give satisfaction. The basic needs of man include food, shelter and clothing. Human needs are many. They include tangible goods like houses, cars, chairs, television sets, radios while others are in form of services e.g. tailoring, carpentry, medical. Human wants or needs are many and are usually described as insatiable.

Needs are based on physiological, personal, or socio-economic requirements necessary for you to function and live. Transportation is a need for the modern, urban person because work, food, and other necessities of daily life are too far from where he lives. To learn more, Click here.

Week 6

Topic: Farm Records

Farm records are written documents showing major activities going on in the farming business. This is to enable a farmer manage his farm well and also have records for future use.

Importance of Farm Accounts and Records

1. Changes in Prices of Produce – It enables the farmer to monitor changes in prices of farm produce
2. Determination of annual tax – Farm records make it possible to determine accurate tax to be paid
3. Data for planning and budgeting – Farm records help to provide data for planning
4. Management Decisions – Records help you to make the right decisions as regards the farm business
5. Detection of Fraudulent Acts – Through monitoring of farm records, the farmer is able to detect any fraudulent act.
6. For procurement of loans – Good farm records can be used by the farmer to secure loan from the bank
7. Farm Auditing – Accurate records are needed for auditing. To learn more, Click here.

Week 7 & 8

Topic: Farm Accounts

Farm Accounts are statements of money paid out or received for goods and services used in farming business. Money is received due to sales of farm produce or loans from other sources while money is paid out for purchases of farm produce or settlement of debts. At the end of a given period, the farmer should be able to know whether the business is yielding profits or losses.

Types of Farm Accounts

1. Sales Account – This shows the details of produce sold which also includes – type of produce, quantity sold, amount paid by customer, date sold and customer’s information. Also known as sales and receipt account.
2. Purchase Account – This shows the details of all items purchased for use on the farm. It includes name of input, date purchased, number of input or quantity and cost of input. To learn more, Click here.

Week 9

Topic: Animal Nutrition (I)

Nutrition can be defined as the process by which an organism obtains food which is used to provide energy and materials for its life sustaining.

Animal Nutrition – The food given to farm animals is generally known as livestock feed or simply feed. Farm animals need feed for growth, repair of worn-out tissues energy e.t.c. Animal nutrition focuses on the dietary needs of domesticated animals, primarily those in agriculture and food production. There are seven major classes of nutrients: carbohydrates, fats, fibre, minerals, protein, vitamin, and water. To learn more, Click here.

Week 10

Topic: Animal Nutrition (II)

Diet – This is defined as the amount of feed regularly given to or consumed by an animal. It is formulated to meet specific metabolic and physiological functions as regards growth, development, lactation, reproduction and egg laying.

Ration – This is the total supply of feed given to an animal in a 24 hr period. This is the amount of food taken by an animal per day.

Balanced ration – This is the feed containing all essential nutrients in the correct quantity and in adequate proportion for feeding animals.To learn more, Click here.