Lesson Notes By Weeks and Term v4 - SHS 3
AGRIBUSINESS MANAGEMENT
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AGRIBUSINESS MANAGEMENT
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Subject: Agriculture
Class: SHS 3
Term: 2nd Term
Week: 19
Grade code: 3.5.3.LI.2
Strand code: 5
Sub-strand code: 3
Content standard code: 3.5.3.CS.1
Indicator code: 3.5.3.LI.2
Theme: AGRICULTURAL ECONOMICS, AGRIBUSINESS AND COMMUNICATION
Subtheme: AGRIBUSINESS MANAGEMENT
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Welcome, future agripreneurs! In Ghana today, agriculture is more than just farming to feed your family; it is a powerful tool for creating jobs, building wealth, and ensuring our nation's food security. This lesson moves beyond theory and into practice. We will learn the step-by-step process of setting up and running a small-scale animal or fish business. This knowledge can empower you to start your own enterprise right in your community, providing a source of income (livelihood) for yourself and quality protein (sustenance) for others. This is your chance to become a solution-provider and a business owner.
A. Fundamental Definitions Agribusiness: This is the business of agriculture. It includes not just farming (production) but all the activities and services that support it. This includes supplying farm inputs (like feed and medicine), processing farm products (like smoking fish), transportation, marketing, and sales. Enterprise: An enterprise is simply a project or a business, especially one that is bold and requires effort. In our context, an animal production enterprise is a business focused on raising animals for profit. Sustenance: This means having the food and resources needed to stay alive and healthy. A backyard poultry farm can provide eggs and meat for the family's sustenance. Livelihood: This refers to the means of securing the necessities of life, such as food, shelter, and clothing. When you sell the eggs and chickens from your farm to pay for school fees or buy other things you need, the enterprise has become your livelihood. Key Idea: The goal is to move from farming for *sustenance only* to farming for *both sustenance and livelihood*. B. Common Animal/Fish Enterprises in Ghana
It is crucial to choose an enterprise that fits your resources (money, land, time) and your local market. Here are some options, as mentioned in the NaCCA curriculum:
| Enterprise Type | Examples | Key Considerations in Ghana | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Ruminants | Cattle, Sheep, Goats | Pros: High demand, especially during festivals. Can graze on cheap local forage. Cons: Requires more space and capital. Slower growth rate (longer time to get returns). | | Non-Ruminants | Pigs | Pros: Very fast growth rate, large litter size (many offspring), can be fed on household leftovers. Cons: High feed cost if not supplemented. Can have a strong odour, requiring careful management. Cultural/religious restrictions in some markets. | | Poultry | Domestic Fowl (Broilers for meat, Layers for eggs), Guinea Fowl, Ducks | Pros: Low startup cost for small scale. Quick returns (broilers ready in 6-8 weeks). High demand for eggs and meat. Cons: Very susceptible to diseases (e.g., Newcastle disease). High cost of commercial feed. | | Non-traditional | Rabbit, Grasscutter, Snails | Pros: Very low space requirement (can be done in a backyard). High market price (seen as a delicacy). Can be fed with local grasses, vegetables, and fruits. Cons: Finding good breeding stock can be difficult. Market may be niche (not everyone eats them). Requires specialized knowledge. | | Fish | Tilapia, Catfish (Mudfish) | Pros: High demand. Fast growth in good conditions. Can be integrated with crop farming (pond water for irrigation). Cons: Requires a reliable water source. High initial cost for pond/tank construction. Requires technical knowledge of water quality management. | C. The 8 Steps to Establishing Your Animal/Fish Enterprise
This is the practical core of our lesson. Follow these steps logically to increase your chances of success.