Second Term Lesson Note for Week Two
Class : Primary Five
Subject : Agricultural Science
Topic : How to Raise Crops
Duration : 40 Minutes
Period : Single Period
Reference Book :
- Lagos State Unified schemes of work for Upper Primary, (Primary 4 – 6).
- Agricultural Science for Primary Schools, Book 5.
- Online Resources
Instructional Material : Chart showing the steps in raising crops.
Learning Objectives : By the end of the lesson, learners will be able to :
i. Differentiate between field crop and cereals
ii. State the procedures for raising field crop and cereals
Previous Knowledge : Students are familiar with the various examples of field crop
Content :
HOW TO RAISE CROPS
Crops are the plant grown on the field for eating and selling. They are also called Field crops. They are classified into Food crops and Cash crops.
EXAMPLES OF FIELD CROPS
Cereal crops are crops made up of tiny seeds. They are also known as grain crops and can be processed into flakes and powder. Examples of cereals are – rice, maize, millet, corn, etc.
Legumes are crops that are highly rich in protein. They also aid in soil fertility and enrich the soil for plant growth. Examples of legume crops are beans, cowpea, soya beans,
Tuber crops are crops that are underground crops. They can either be underground stems or underground roots crop. Examples of tuber crops are yam, cassava, potatoes, coco-yam, etc.
PROCEDURE FOR RAISING FIELD CROPS
How to raise legume crops :
Légumes are crops that are highly rich in protein and helps in building the body. In the country, the most common legume crops grown are cowpeas, soya beans, bambara nuts and groundnuts. Legumes are generally rich in protein. Groundnut is also rich in fat and oil. Legume crops grow well on sandy loam soil and under an average rainfall of 500 –1 000 ml.
Land clearing : Vegetation is cleared off the land to be planted. The cut vegetation is packed and burnt. The land has to be cleared of bush either by tractor or by human labour. After clearing, it is better to leave the dead leaves, stems and roots to decay on the soil. Do not burn the remains of the plants so as not to destroy the soil.
Planting : Legumes are planted on ridges or flats. Only good seeds are selected for sowing. This is carried out at the beginning of the rainy season.
Weeding : The first weeding is done with hoes about three weeks after germination. A second or third weeding may be done by hand picking.
Tilling and stumping : The soil is plough and stumps are removed. Stumps are uprooted and Packed away Land for growing legume crops requires light tillage. Animal driven tractors maybe used for making ridges. Tractors or hoes May also be used.
Ridges and mounds making : This is done by heaping to soil into a row. Ridging is good for better crop yield. Ridging soften the soil. It brings nutrients closer to the plant roots.
Fertilizer application : In the cultivation of legumes, fertilizer is usually not applied. However, where necessary, fertilizer is applied after the first weeding is done, that is, about three weeks after germination. Fertilizer may be applied in ring form or in holes.
Harvesting : It is the pods which legumes produce that are harvested. Harvesting is done when the pods are mature and dry. Harvested pods are sundried and shelled to release the seeds.
Processing and preservation : Shelled or threshed legume seeds are separated from the pods by winnowing. The seeds are dried again in the sun to reduce the moisture content. They are then packed in metal or plastic containers or in jute bags. They are also treated with Chemical to prevent weevil attack.
How to raise cereal crops
The cereal crops commonly grown in Nigeria are maize, rice, sorghum, millet and guinea corn. These crops feed and grow mainly on the top soil because of their fibrous shallow root system.
Let us now go through the processes of raising cereal crops.
Presentation Steps :
Step 1 : The teacher revises the previous terms work with the learners
Step 2 : Introduces the new topic by explaining how to raise crops.
Step 3 : Identify and state the processes of raising legume crops
Step 4 : Mention the procedures for raising cereal crops.
Evaluation :
1. List four cereal crops
2. List four legume crops
3. List three tuber crops
4. Explain the following procedures for raising field crops :
i. Land clearing –
ii. Tilling and stumping –
iii. Ridges and mounds making
Conclusion : The learners were able to answer the questions correctly.