Lesson Notes By Weeks and Term v4 - JHS 3
FARMING SYSTEMS
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FARMING SYSTEMS
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Subject: Science
Class: JHS 3
Term: 2nd Term
Week: 3
Grade code: B9.3.4.1.1
Strand code: 3
Sub-strand code: 4
Content standard code: B9.3.4.1
Indicator code: B9.3.4.1.1
Theme: SYSTEMS
Subtheme: FARMING SYSTEMS
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Farming systems in Ghana depend heavily on how farmers maintain soil fertility and support healthy plant and animal growth. Many Ghanaian soils lose nutrients after continuous cropping, erosion, bush burning, or heavy rains. One of the most affordable and available ways to improve soil fertility is the use of manure—materials from plant wastes and animal wastes that add nutrients and organic matter to the soil. Understanding the different plant and animal manures helps learners make good choices for school gardens, home gardens, and community farms.
2.1 Meaning of Manure Manure is any natural material (mainly from plants and animals) added to soil to: supply nutrients (e.g., nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium), improve soil structure (make soil crumbly), increase water-holding capacity, support soil organisms (earthworms, microbes), improve crop growth and yield.
Manure is different from chemical fertiliser because manure: releases nutrients slowly, improves soil organic matter, can be produced locally from farm wastes.
2.2 Types of Manure Commonly Used by Farmers (Ghana-focused) Manure can be grouped in many ways, but for this indicator we focus on plant manures and animal manures. A. Plant-based manures (from plant wastes) Compost manure (plant compost) Made from decomposed plant materials such as leaves, weeds, grass, crop residues. Green manure Fresh green plants (often legumes like *cowpea*, *mucuna*, *centrosema*) grown and ploughed into the soil. Mulch (as a soil-improving plant material) Dry leaves, straw, grass spread on soil surface; later decomposes into manure-like organic matter. Plant ash (wood ash, crop residue ash) Ash from burnt plant materials; adds minerals like potassium (use carefully).
Examples of plant wastes used: dry leaves (mango, neem, cassia), grass clippings, maize stalks and cobs, rice husk, groundnut shells, cassava peels (use in compost), cocoa pod husk (common in cocoa areas), sawdust/wood shavings (use small amounts; decomposes slowly). B. Animal-based manures (from animals and animal wastes) Poultry droppings (chicken, turkey, guinea fowl) Cow dung Goat and sheep droppings Pig dung Rabbit droppings (where available) Human excreta (night soil) — *not commonly recommended in basic school practice due to health risks unless properly treated* Animal parts and carcasses (bones, blood meal, fish waste) — used after proper processing/composting to avoid disease and smell.