Agriculture is the practice of cultivating the soil, growing crops and rearing animals for man’s use.

Agriculture includes growing crops, keeping animals, fishing, forestry, and related activities that help society obtain materials it needs to survive and develop.

1. Crop production: growing food and cash crops such as maize, cassava, yam, rice, vegetables, oil palm, and cocoa.


2. Animal husbandry: rearing animals such as cattle, goats, sheep, pigs, and poultry.


3. Fisheries: catching and rearing fish in natural waters and in fish farms.


4. Forestry: growing and managing trees for timber, fuel wood, shade, and environmental protection.


5. Agricultural processing and agro-based industries: converting farm produce into finished products, for example making flour from cassava or oil from palm fruit.


6. Agricultural extension and management: teaching farmers better methods and helping run farms efficiently.

Major aims of agriculture include:

1. To produce enough food for the family and the nation.


2. To provide raw materials for industries.


3. To create employment and earn foreign exchange through export crops.


4. To improve the standard of living of the people.


5. To conserve the environment and maintain soil fertility.

Agriculture is important because:

1. It provides food for people and animals.


2. It supplies raw materials for many industries.


3. It creates jobs for farmers, processors, transporters, and traders.


4. It contributes to national income and foreign exchange through export of produce.


5. It helps maintain the environment by preventing soil erosion when managed properly.


6. It promotes rural development and supports livelihoods.


7. It helps you to understand why agriculture is central to the economy and wellbeing of communities.

There are two main forms of agriculture in Nigeria:

1. Subsistence Agriculture:
   
   It is the type of farming where a farmer produces food mainly for his family.
   
   The farm size is usually small.
   
   Simple tools such as hoe and cutlass are used.
   
   The yield is low and there is little or no surplus for sale.


2. Commercial Agriculture:
   
   It is large-scale farming where crops and animals are produced for sale.
   
   Machines such as tractors and harvesters are used.
   
   It requires a lot of capital and labour.
   
   The yield is high and produce is sold to make profit.

Common systems of agriculture include:

1. Mixed Farming: Growing crops and rearing animals on the same piece of land.


2. Mixed Cropping: Planting two or more crops on the same piece of land at the same time.


3. Crop Rotation: Growing different crops on the same piece of land in turns to maintain soil fertility.


4. Shifting Cultivation: Moving from one piece of land to another after farming for some years.


5. Monocropping: Growing only one type of crop on a piece of land.


6. Plantation Farming: Large-scale farming of one major cash crop such as cocoa, oil palm, or rubber.

Successful farming depends on many factors:

1. Climate: temperature, rainfall, and sunlight determine which crops can grow.


2. Soil: soil type, depth, fertility, and structure affect plant growth.


3. Water availability: rivers, rainfall, irrigation for crop and livestock needs.


4. Topography: slope and landscape influence erosion risk and machinery use.


5. Farm tools and implements: availability of hoes, cutlasses, tractors, and other tools influence productivity.


6. Labour: availability of willing and skilled workers.


7. Capital: money to buy inputs such as seeds, fertilisers, and equipment.


8. Government policies and market access: roads, price support, and extension services.


9. Pest and disease control: ability to manage attacks on crops and animals.

1 Soil

Soil is the top layer of the earth where plants grow.

1. Main components: mineral particles, organic matter, water, and air.


2. Soil texture refers to the proportion of sand, silt, and clay.


3. Soil fertility is the ability of soil to supply nutrients to plants.


4. Common soil conservation methods: mulching, planting cover crops, contour farming, and building terraces on slopes.

2 Climate and Weather

1. Climate is the long-term pattern of weather in an area.


2. Rainfall distribution and length of the growing season are critical for crop selection.


3. In Nigeria, different zones exist such as wet rainforest and drier savanna; each zone suits particular crops.

3 Seeds and Planting Materials

Use of good quality seeds and healthy planting materials increases yield. Seed selection, storage, and treatment before planting are important practices.

4 Crop Rotation and Intercropping

1. Crop rotation: growing different crops on the same land in successive seasons to maintain soil fertility and reduce pests.


2. Intercropping: growing two or more crops together on the same piece of land. This can reduce pest attack and make efficient use of space.

5 Manures and Fertilisers

1. Organic manures: farmyard manure, compost, and green manure that add organic matter to the soil.


2. Inorganic fertilisers: chemical nutrients that supply specific elements such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.


3. Proper use of both helps maintain soil fertility and increase yields.

6 Pests and Diseases

1. Pests are animals or insects that damage crops or livestock.


2. Diseases are caused by fungi, bacteria, viruses, or other organisms.


3. Control methods: good farm hygiene, crop rotation, resistant varieties, biological control, and safe use of approved chemicals.

7 Farm Tools and Implements

1. Simple tools: cutlass, hoe, rake, wheelbarrow.


2. Mechanised implements: plough, harrow, planter, and tractor.


3. Choosing the right tool helps to save time and labour.

8 Animal Husbandry Basics

1. Housing, feeding, breeding, and health care are the core needs.


2. Different animals have different feeding and management requirements.


3. Hygiene and vaccination help prevent common diseases.

9 Post-harvest Handling

1. Harvesting at the right time prevents loss.


2. Proper drying, storage, and processing reduce spoilage.


3. Value addition increases income, for example processing cassava into gari.

1. Food crops: cassava, yam, maize, sorghum, millet, rice, sweet potato.


2. Vegetables: tomato, pepper, okra, spinach.


3. Cash crops: cocoa, oil palm, rubber, cotton.


4. Animals: cattle, goats, sheep, pigs, chickens, ducks, fish.

1. Poor and inadequate funding.


2. Use of crude implements like hoes and cutlasses.


3. Poor storage and processing facilities.


4. Pest and disease attacks on crops and animals.


5. Lack of good roads and transport for farm produce.


6. Inadequate extension services.


7. Irregular rainfall and poor irrigation.


8. Rural-urban migration that reduces farm labour.


9. Land tenure system that makes land ownership difficult.

1. Provision of farm credit and loans to farmers.


2. Use of improved seeds and breeds.


3. Provision of modern farm tools and machinery.


4. Construction of rural roads and storage facilities.


5. Government support through good agricultural policies.


6. Training of farmers through extension services.


7. Use of fertilizers and good soil management.


8. Encouragement of young people to go into farming.

1. Land selection and clearing.


2. Ploughing and preparing the seedbed.


3. Marking out and planting at correct spacing.


4. Watering or relying on rainfall.


5. Weeding to remove unwanted plants.


6. Applying manures and fertilisers as required.


7. Controlling pests and diseases.


8. Harvesting and post-harvest handling.

It helps you to remember that good planning and regular care at each step increase the chance of a good harvest.

1. Crop rotation and intercropping maintain soil health.


2. Planting trees and agroforestry prevent erosion and provide shade and fuel wood.


3. Proper manure management and reduction of chemical overuse protect the environment.


4. Water conservation methods such as mulching and irrigation scheduling save water.

1. Use personal protective equipment when handling chemicals.


2. Store agrochemicals away from children and food items.


3. Keep tools clean to prevent spread of disease.


4. Observe hygiene when working with animals: wash hands and treat wounds.

Product Type	Examples	Uses
Food Crops	Yam, cassava, rice, maize	For human food
Cash Crops	Cocoa, oil palm, cotton, rubber	For export and industries
Animal Products	Meat, milk, eggs, hides and skins	For food and industrial use
Forestry Products	Timber, fuel wood	For construction and energy
Fish	Tilapia, catfish	For food

Agriculture offers many career opportunities, such as:

1. Crop farmer.


2. Animal scientist or livestock farmer.


3. Fish farmer.


4. Agricultural extension officer.


5. Veterinary doctor.


6. Soil scientist.


7. Agricultural engineer.


8. Agro-processor.


9. Horticulturist.


10. Agribusiness manager.

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Summary

Agriculture is the production of food and other products by growing crops and rearing animals. It is important for food security, employment, industry, and the national economy. Good agriculture depends on soil, climate, water, tools, labour, and knowledge. Sustainable and safe farming practices help the environment and increase farmer income.

Self-Test Questions

Answer these to check your understanding.

1. Define agriculture in your own words.


2. List five importance of agriculture to society.


3. Name three types of farming practised in Nigeria and give one example for each.


4. What is crop rotation and why is it important?


5. Mention three factors that affect plant growth.


6. Give two examples each of food crops and cash crops grown in Nigeria.


7. Why is post-harvest handling important?


8. State two ways to control pests without using chemicals.


9. Describe one method of conserving soil on sloping land.


10. List three careers in agriculture you might choose.