Lesson Notes By Weeks and Term v4 - SHS 2
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 2
Term: 1st Term
Week: 17
Grade code: 2.3.1.LI.1
Strand code: 3
Sub-strand code: 1
Content standard code: 2.3.1.CS.1
Indicator code: 2.3.1.LI.1
Theme: FOOD PRODUCTION AND NATURAL RESOURCE CONSERVATION
Subtheme: PRINCIPLES OF AGRICULTURE IN FOOD PRODUCTION
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Welcome, future leaders in agriculture! In Ghana, from the maize fields in the North to the cocoa farms in the Ahafo region and the vegetable gardens in our own backyards, crop production is the backbone of our food security and economy. Simply putting a seed in the ground is not enough to guarantee a good harvest. Success in farming depends on applying a set of scientific principles, technologies, and techniques known as agronomic or cultural practices. This lesson will equip you with the fundamental knowledge of these practices, empowering you to cultivate crops effectively, whether for your family's consumption, for a school project, or as a future agribusiness entrepreneur.
The entire set of activities a farmer carries out from choosing the land to storing the final produce is known as Cultural Practices or Agronomic Practices. These are the "technologies and techniques" our indicator mentions. We can group them into four main stages:
I. Pre-Planting Operations: Preparing for Success These are activities done *before* the seeds or seedlings are placed in the soil. Getting this stage right is like building a strong foundation for a house. A. Site Selection: This is the first crucial decision. A farmer must consider: Soil Type & Fertility: Is the soil loamy, sandy, or clayey? Is it rich in nutrients? A soil test can help. For example, maize prefers deep, well-drained loam soil. Topography: Is the land flat, gently sloping, or steep? Steep slopes are prone to erosion and may require terracing. Flat, low-lying areas might get waterlogged. Water Availability: Is there a reliable source of water (rain, river, borehole) for irrigation, especially during the dry season? Previous Cropping History: What was grown on the land before? This helps predict potential nutrient deficiencies or lingering diseases. B. Land Preparation: This involves clearing the land and working the soil to create a suitable seedbed for germination and root growth. Clearing/Stumping: Removing trees, bushes, and weeds. Can be done manually (cutlass, axe), mechanically (bulldozers), or using controlled burning (which is often discouraged as it destroys soil organisms and organic matter). Ploughing: The first and deepest tillage. It breaks up and turns over the topsoil. Purpose: To aerate the soil, bury weeds and crop residues, and bring nutrient-rich lower soil to the surface. Done with a hoe, animal-drawn plough, or tractor-mounted plough. Harrowing: The second tillage, done after ploughing. It breaks the large soil clods into a finer, smoother tilth. Purpose: To create a perfect seedbed for easy germination and root establishment. Ridging/Mounding: Gathering soil into heaps (mounds) or long elevated rows (ridges). Purpose: Excellent for root and tuber crops like yam and cassava as it provides deeper loose soil for tuber expansion. It also helps with drainage and erosion control on slopes.
II. Planting Operations: The Act of Sowing This is the stage where the crop is introduced to the prepared field. A. Selection of Planting Material: Quality is Key: Use seeds/seedlings that are: Viable: Able to germinate. Clean & Pure: Free from weed seeds, stones, and other impurities. Disease-free: Not carrying any pathogens. High-yielding: Genetically capable of producing a good harvest (e.g., certified seeds from CSIR-Crops Research Institute). Seed Treatment: Soaking seeds in fungicides or insecticides before planting to protect them from early-stage pests and diseases. B. Planting Methods & Timing: Timing: Planting should coincide with the onset of reliable rains to ensure enough moisture for germination. This is a critical decision farmers make each year. Methods: Broadcasting: Scattering seeds randomly over the field. *Advantage:* Fast. *Disadvantage:* Uneven distribution, wastage of seeds, difficult to weed. (e.g., for some grasses or cover crops). Drilling: Placing seeds in shallow furrows or lines. More organized than broadcasting. Row Planting: Planting seeds at specific intervals in straight lines. This is the recommended method for most crops like maize and vegetables. Purpose: Allows for easy movement during weeding, spraying, and fertilizer application. It also ensures each plant gets adequate sunlight, water, and nutrients. Planting Depth & Spacing: Depth: Planting too deep means the seedling may not have enough energy to reach the surface. Too shallow, and it might dry out or be eaten by birds. General rule: plant at a depth of 2-3 times the seed's diameter. Spacing (Plant Population): The distance between plants in a row and between rows. Purpose: Following the recommended spacing prevents overcrowding and competition for resources, leading to healthier plants and higher yields.
III. Post-Planting Operations: Nurturing the Crop These are the management practices carried out from germination until the crop is ready for harvest. A. Weed Control: Weeds compete with crops for water, nutrients, sunlight, and space. Manual: Using a hoe or cutlass (weeding). Chemical: Applying herbicides (weed killers). Caution: Must be done correctly to avoid harming the crop or the environment. Cultural: Mulching (covering the soil with dry grass or plastic sheets) to smother weeds. B. Supplying and Thinning: Supplying (or Gap-filling): Re-planting in spots where seeds failed to germinate to maintain the desired plant population. Thinning: Removing excess seedlings from a stand when too many have germinated in one spot. This reduces competition. C. Fertilizer Application: Supplying essential nutrients to the soil for healthy plant growth. Types: Organic (manure, compost) and Inorganic (NPK, Urea). Methods: Basal Application: Applying fertilizer at the time of planting. Top Dressing: Applying fertilizer to the growing crop, usually in stages. For maize, a second dose of Nitrogen fertilizer is often applied when the plant is knee-high. D. Pest and Disease Control: Integrated Pest Management (IPM): A modern, sustainable approach that combines different methods: Cultural Control: E.g., crop rotation to break pest cycles. Biological Control: Using natural enemies (predators) to control pests. Chemical Control: Using pesticides as a last resort and with extreme care. E. Other Specific Techniques: Staking: Providing support for climbing or weak-stemmed plants like tomatoes and yams to keep fruits off the ground and improve air circulation. Pruning: Removing specific branches or stems to improve plant shape, increase fruit size, or remove diseased parts (common in cocoa and citrus). Irrigation: Supplying water to crops artificially, especially during dry spells.