Lesson Notes By Weeks and Term v4 - SHS 1

Lesson Video

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Performance objectives

• Identify common cereals, legumes, and tuber crops in Ghana.
• Explain the steps for organising and producing these crops.
• Record and analyse data related to crop production.
• Understand the economic benefits of growing specific crops.
• Plan a small-scale crop production project.

Lesson summary

This lesson introduces the concept of producing crops not just for home consumption, but as a business to generate income and create jobs. In Ghana, agriculture is the backbone of our economy, and understanding how to farm profitably is a crucial skill for personal and national development. We will move beyond subsistence farming (farming just to feed one's family) to explore the planning, management, and financial discipline required for successful commercial farming. This lesson will provide the foundational knowledge you need to undertake a practical project of growing a selected crop on the school farm or in a designated plot, turning theory into real, hands-on experience.

Lesson notes

A. What is Economic Crop Production?

Economic crop production, also known as commercial farming, is the cultivation of crops with the primary aim of making a profit. It is different from subsistence farming, where the main goal is to produce enough food for the farmer and their family.

| Feature | Subsistence Farming | Economic (Commercial) Farming | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Primary Goal | Feed the family | Make a profit | | Scale of Production | Small (e.g., backyard garden) | Large (small plot to large plantation) | | Inputs | Low (family labour, saved seeds) | High (improved seeds, fertilizer, hired labour) | | Technology | Simple tools (hoe, cutlass) | Can include machinery (tractors, irrigation) | | Output | For home consumption | For sale in the market | | Record Keeping | Minimal or none | Essential (budgets, yield records) | B. The Stages of Economic Crop Production

To succeed in farming as a business, you must follow a systematic process. These are the key stages:

Evaluation guide

• Organise and produce selected arable crop (cereals, legumes, and tuber crops).
• Project -Based Learning: Learners in mixed -ability groups select some of the arable crops
• (cereals, legumes, and tuber crops) to grow. Visit regular ly, and record observations for
• conceptual understanding