MEANING, BRANCHES AND IMPORTANCE OF AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE Lesson Note
This SS1 AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE lesson note covers MEANING, BRANCHES AND IMPORTANCE OF AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE for First Term, Week 1.
Learning Objectives
- At the end of the topic, the students will be able to;
- i. Definition and understand the branches of Agricultural Science
- ii. Know the importance of Agricultural Science
Lesson Note
INTRODUTIONAL MATERIALS USE: Essential Agricultural Science for Senior Secondary Schools by O. A IWENA Published by TONAD
TEACHING AND LEARNING RESOURSES: Charts showing the concept of Agriculture science and its importance
A. DEFINITION AND BRANCHES OF AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE
The word agriculture is formed from Latin words: “ager” and “cultura” which means field and cultivation respectively. Hence, Agriculture is defined as the art and science that deals with the cultivation of crops and rearing of animals for man’s purpose.
Agriculture involves the sales of agricultural products which is necessary to get to the final consumer (people) before the concept of agriculture comes complete.
B. BRANCHES OF AGRICULTURE
The main branches of Agriculture include the following:
Animal science or Animal husbandry
Animal Health or veterinary medicine
Soil science
Crop production which includes: 1. Agronomy (study of crops)
2. Crop pathology (study of crop disease)
3. Entomology (study of insect pests of crops)
Agricultural Economics and farm management
Agricultural Engineering
Agricultural Extension and Education
Forestry and wild Life Conservation
Fishery
Apiculture (Bee farming)
C. IMPORTANCE OF AGRICULTURE
Agriculture plays an important role in Nigeria’s economy which can be grouped into three major categories:
TO INDIVIDUAL OR FARMER
Provision of Food
Provision of Materials for Shelter
Provision of Materials for clothing
Employment for the Working the working population
Generation of Income for Framers
SOCIETY OR COMMUNITY
Development of Towns
Provision of Facilities for Recreation and Tourism
TO THE NATION
Sources of Foreign Exchange Earnings iv. Provision of raw materials for Industries
Provision of Market for Industrial Goods
Generation of Revenue
Evaluation
OBJECTIVE QUESTIONS
Agricultural science is mainly concerned with the study of _____
A. building construction
B. crop and animal production
C. computer programming
D. banking
Which of the following is a branch of agricultural science?
A. agronomy
B. astronomy
C. geography
D. physics
The production of crops is known as ______
A. crop husbandry
B. banking
C. marketing
D. manufacturing
Animal production involves the rearing of ______
A. buildings
B. livestock
C. machines
D. crops
One major importance of agriculture is that it provides ______
A. food
B. electricity
C. roads
D. computers
Agriculture provides raw materials for _______
A. industries
B. hospitals only
C. schools only
D. banks only
Which of the following is an agricultural raw material?
A. cotton
B. plastic
C. glass
D. cement
Agriculture contributes to the economy by providing _____
A. employment
B. pollution only
C. conflict
D. illiteracy
Which of the following is NOT an importance of agriculture?
A. provision of food
B. provision of employment
C. provision of raw materials
D. destruction of all natural resources
The use of improved seeds can help farmers to _____
A. increase crop yield
B. reduce production completely
C. destroy crops
D. stop farming
Theory Questions
1a) What is Agriculture?
(b) Discuss FIVE reasons why Agriculture can be regarded as the mainstay of Nigeria’s economy
2. Briefly explain the importance of agriculture in the development of a nation.