Lesson Notes By Weeks and Term v4 - SHS 1
ECONOMIC PRODUCTION OF CROPS
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ECONOMIC PRODUCTION OF CROPS
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Subject: Agricultural Science
Class: SHS 1
Term: 1st Term
Week: 10
Grade code: 1.2.1.LI.2
Strand code: 2
Sub-strand code: 1
Content standard code: 1.2.1.CS.1
Indicator code: 1.2.1.LI.2
Theme: FARMING FOR JOBS AND INCOME
Subtheme: ECONOMIC PRODUCTION OF CROPS
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Welcome, future agripreneurs! Today's lesson moves us from simply knowing about crops to understanding how to grow them as a profitable business. In Ghana, the demand for fresh vegetables like tomatoes, okro, and cabbage is always high in our markets, homes, and restaurants. Likewise, beautiful ornamental plants improve our environment and have a growing market for landscaping and decoration. This lesson will equip you with the practical knowledge to "organise and produce" these crops, turning a small piece of land into a source of income and food. This is a hands-on topic that directly prepares you for the world of work, aligning with our strand, "Farming for Jobs and Income."
This lesson breaks down the economic production of crops into a logical flow of activities, from planning to selling. "Economic production" means we are not just growing for fun; we are growing efficiently to make a profit. A. Pre-Planting Operations: The Foundation of Success
These are the critical planning steps you take before any seed touches the soil. Crop Selection: This is your first business decision. You must choose a crop that people want to buy and that you can successfully grow. Factors to Consider: Market Demand: Is there a high demand for this crop in your local market (e.g., Madina, Kejetia, or your local town market)? Tomatoes, peppers ('kpakpo shito'), and leafy greens ('kontomire', lettuce) usually have ready markets. Climate & Season: Is it the right season for the crop? Okro loves heat, while cabbage prefers cooler conditions. Planting at the wrong time leads to failure. Soil Type: Is your soil loamy, clayey or sandy? Most vegetables prefer well-drained loamy soil. Capital: How much money do you have to start? Starting with a high-input crop like cabbage (requires more fertilizer and pest control) might be risky if capital is low. Okro is less demanding. Time to Maturity: How quickly do you need a return on your investment? Lettuce matures in weeks, while some varieties of pepper take months. Site Selection: The location of your farm or garden is crucial. Key Features of a Good Site: Sunlight: Most vegetables need at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily. Water Source: Is there a reliable source of water nearby (pipe, well, stream)? You cannot rely on rain alone for commercial vegetable production. Soil Fertility: The soil should be deep, well-drained, and rich in organic matter. Look for dark-coloured soil. Topography: Choose a flat or gently sloping area to prevent soil erosion, which washes away precious topsoil and nutrients. Security: The site should be protected from thieves and stray animals like goats and sheep. Fencing may be necessary. Land Preparation: This involves preparing the soil to be a perfect home for your plants. Steps: Clearing/Brushing: Removing all weeds, bushes, and trees from the site. Stumping: Removing tree stumps and roots. Ploughing: The first turning of the soil to break it up, bury weeds, and improve aeration. This can be done with a tractor, animal traction, or a simple hoe for a small plot. Harrowing: The second turning of the soil to break the large soil clods from ploughing into a finer texture, creating a good seedbed. Making Beds/Ridges: Shaping the soil into raised beds or ridges. This improves drainage, concentrates topsoil, and makes activities like planting and weeding easier. B. Planting Operations: Getting the Crop in the Ground Sourcing Quality Planting Materials: Your harvest can only be as good as the seeds or seedlings you start with. Good Seeds: High germination percentage, true to type, free from diseases. Sources: Buy from certified agro-input shops, Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) offices, or reputable seed companies. Avoid saving seeds from the market fruits, as they may not grow well or could carry diseases. Nursery Establishment (For delicate crops): Some crops like tomato, pepper, garden egg, and cabbage have tiny seeds that are too delicate to be planted directly in the main field. They are first raised in a controlled environment called a nursery. Steps to Prepare a Nursery Bed: Site: Choose a well-drained spot with partial shade, near a water source. Preparation: Clear the area and prepare a raised bed (e.g., 1m wide). Soil Sterilization (Optional but recommended): Cover the moist bed with a clear or black polythene sheet for 2-4 weeks. The sun's heat will kill many harmful soil organisms (weeds, pests, fungi). Sowing: Create shallow lines (drills) on the bed and sow the seeds thinly. Cover lightly with soil. Mulching & Watering: Cover the bed with dry grass or palm fronds to conserve moisture and prevent rain from washing away seeds. Water gently using a watering can with a rose head. Hardening Off: About a week before transplanting, gradually reduce watering and remove any shade. This prepares the seedlings for the tougher conditions of the main field. Transplanting: This is the process of moving seedlings from the nursery to the main field. Best Practices: Timing: Transplant late in the afternoon or on a cloudy day to reduce transplanting shock. Watering: Water the nursery bed thoroughly before lifting the seedlings. Handling: Hold the seedlings by their leaves, not the delicate stem. Planting: Place the seedling in the prepared hole, cover with soil, and press firmly around the base. Water immediately. C. Post-Planting Operations: Tending to Your Business
These are the routine activities that ensure your plants grow healthy and strong. Watering: Provide adequate water, especially during dry spells. Weed Control: Weeds compete for sunlight, water, and nutrients. Control them by hand-pulling, hoeing, or mulching (covering the soil with dry grass). Fertilizer Application: Organic: Well-decomposed poultry manure or compost. Inorganic: NPK 15-15-15 is a common compound fertilizer used as a basal application (at planting). Sulphate of Ammonia or Urea can be used for top dressing (applied later to boost leafy growth). Pest and Disease Control: Integrated Pest Management (IPM): Use a combination of methods. Cultural Control: Proper spacing for good air circulation, removing and burning infected plants. Biological Control: Using natural enemies to control pests. Chemical Control (Last Resort): Use approved pesticides like neem oil (organic) or synthetic chemicals, always following the instructions carefully. D. Harvesting, Post-Harvest, and Record Keeping Harvesting: Maturity Index: Know when to harvest. For tomatoes, it's the change in colour. For okro, it's the size and tenderness of the pod. Harvesting at the right time ensures quality. Post-Harvest Handling: What you do after harvesting is crucial to avoid losing your profits. Sorting: Separate damaged or diseased produce from healthy ones. Grading: Group produce by size, shape, or colour. Grade A produce fetches a higher price. Packaging: Use appropriate containers (e.g., clean baskets, crates) to transport produce to the market. Record Keeping: The Heart of the Business You cannot know if you are making a profit or loss without records. Example of a Simple Farm Record Sheet:
| Date | Activity | Input Used | Cost (GH₵) | |------------|----------------------------------------|-----------------------------|------------| | 10/02/2024 | Land Preparation (Weeding & Digging) | Hoe, Cutlass (Labour) | 50.00 | | 17/02/2024 | Bought Seeds & Manure | Tomato Seeds (1 sachet), Poultry Manure (2 bags) | 15.00 + 40.00 = 55.00 | | 18/02/2024 | Sowed seeds in nursery | Labour | 10.00 | | 10/03/2024 | Transplanting seedlings | Labour | 20.00 | | ... | ... | ... | ... | | Total Expenditure | | | XXX.XX | | Total Revenue (Sales) | | | YYY.YY | | Profit / Loss | | | YYY.YY - XXX.XX |