Lesson Notes By Weeks and Term v4 - SHS 1
PRINCIPLES OF AGRICULTURE IN FOOD PRODUCTION
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PRINCIPLES OF AGRICULTURE IN FOOD PRODUCTION
Download the Lessonotes Mobile Ghana app for faster lesson access on Android and iPhone.
Subject: Agriculture
Class: SHS 1
Term: 2nd Term
Week: 5
Grade code: 1.3.1.LI.3
Strand code: 3
Sub-strand code: 1
Content standard code: 1.3.1.CS.3
Indicator code: 1.3.1.LI.3
Theme: FOOD PRODUCTION AND NATURAL RESOURCE CONSERVATION
Subtheme: PRINCIPLES OF AGRICULTURE IN FOOD PRODUCTION
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Welcome, students! Today, we are going to investigate a fascinating question: why do we see certain farm animals in some parts of Ghana and not others? Have you ever wondered why cattle in the North often have humps, but those in the South might not? Or why large-scale poultry farms are usually near big cities? This isn't by accident. The location of farm animals, known as their distribution, is determined by a combination of science, environment, and human factors. Understanding this helps farmers make wise decisions, ensures our nation's food security, and is crucial for anyone interested in a career in agriculture.
This section breaks down the core content you need to understand. We will cover the "what," "where," and most importantly, the "why." A. What is Animal Distribution?
Animal distribution in agriculture refers to the way different types and breeds of farm animals are spread across a geographical area, like a region, a country (Ghana), or a sub-continent (West Africa). It’s the study of where we find specific animals and why they thrive there. B. Major Farm Animals and Their Distribution in Ghana
Let's look at the key players in Ghana's livestock sector.
| Animal | Common Breeds in Ghana | Primary Location(s) in Ghana | Key Characteristics & Reasons for Location | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Cattle | West African Shorthorn (WASH) | Coastal, Forest, and Transitional zones (Southern Ghana, parts of Brong Ahafo). | Small, hardy, and most importantly, trypanotolerant (resistant to Trypanosomiasis or 'sleeping sickness' carried by the tsetse fly, which is common in these humid zones). | | | Sanga (e.g., N'Dama) | Transitional and Guinea Savannah zones. | A cross between humpless (WASH) and humped (Zebu) cattle. They have moderate tolerance to tsetse flies and are larger than the WASH. | | | Zebu (e.g., White Fulani, Sokoto Gudali) | Guinea and Sudan Savannah zones (Northern, Upper East, Upper West Regions). | Humped cattle. They are highly susceptible to Trypanosomiasis, so they are kept in the tsetse-fly-free or low-infestation northern savannahs. They are well-adapted to hot, dry conditions. The hump stores fat for energy. | | Sheep | Djallonké (or West African Dwarf Sheep) | Found all over Ghana, but dominant in the Forest and Coastal zones. | Small, hardy, prolific (breeds easily), and trypanotolerant. Their small size and hardiness allow them to survive well in villages. | | | Sahelian types (e.g., Uda, Yankasa) | Northern Savannah zones. | Larger, long-legged sheep adapted to the drier climate and extensive grazing of the north. Not trypanotolerant. | | Goats | West African Dwarf (WAD) Goat | Found all over Ghana, especially dominant in the Forest and Coastal zones. | Like the Djallonké sheep, they are small, hardy, prolific, and trypanotolerant. A very common backyard animal. | | | West African Long-legged Goat (Sahelian Goat) | Northern Savannah zones. | Larger goats adapted for browsing in the drier savannah vegetation. | | Poultry| Local / Indigenous Fowl | Everywhere in Ghana, in every village and town. | Very hardy, resistant to many local diseases, excellent foragers (find their own food). Low productivity (fewer eggs/less meat) but require minimal input. | | | Exotic / Commercial Breeds (Broilers & Layers) | Concentrated in peri-urban areas (areas around major cities like Accra, Kumasi, Takoradi). | High productivity but require high levels of management, good feed, housing, and veterinary care. Located near cities for access to markets, feed mills, and processing facilities. | | Pigs | Exotic breeds (e.g., Large White, Landrace) and their crosses | Mainly in the southern half of Ghana (non-Muslim majority areas). | Require substantial feed and water. Their distribution is heavily influenced by cultural and religious factors, being less common in predominantly Muslim communities in the North. | C. Factors Influencing Animal Distribution